OffBeat writers just helped prepare a New Orleans update of the “Jazz & Blues Lovers’ Guide to the US,” by Christiane Bird, a guide to this and other cities’ music-related historical sites and local clubs. It’s interesting how many clubs have come and gone (remember the Winnah’s Circle, Muddy Water’s, the Warehouse Café, the Toulouse Cabaret [now the Shim Sham Club]?). But what’s even more interesting to see is the numbers of clubs that have endured, and the new ones that have come along too (Storyville District, the Shim Sham, House of Blues, Rhythm City, the Funky Butt, Donna’s, just to name a few).

There’s a list in the original book of 24 historical music sites. Few, if any, are marked by anything other than local music historians’ or music lovers’ knowledge that the place even exists. In the city where the first indigenous American musical art form–jazz–was born, there’s little or nothing to mark these interesting places (I don’t think Jazzland is exactly what I had in mind). Seems like in a city where every other cultural aspect is developed–and sometimes exploited–to attract visitors, we’re sort of missing the boat.

In the upcoming year, I’m convinced that the interest in jazz (and, by association, New Orleans) is going to become heightened, most certainly because of Ken Burns’ upcoming PBS series, Jazz!. Jan’s Prognostication: This series is going to bring jazz into a new focus in the American consciousness, create a whole new fan base, and create massive interest in local music and musicians. Don’t you think somebody needs to be taking notice around here?

OffBeat has tried to anticipate this trend by devoting a whole year to honoring Louis Armstrong; by increasing our coverage of jazz to include traditional forms. We’re trying to increase our readers’ knowledge of why Louisiana music is a great, fantastic, unique resource by initiating the “Masters of Louisiana Music” series. We’ve tried to bring music into the stream of consciousness of the local public, and our readers worldwide. Isn’t it time that some of our economic development resources went towards this end too?

Ballots Are Out…

If you’re a Louisiana musician, in a band, or have a company involved in music, by the time this issue hits the streets, you should have received your copy of the Louisiana Music Directory. It’s now available on-line too, for a subscription price of only $35 a year, which gives subscribers access to updated information, for like any printed directory, changes are made almost immediately as the edition hits the streets. On-line access is available by subscribing on-line, or call the OffBeat office at 504-944-4300 to subscribe. By the way, Louisiana Music Directory advertisers receive free access to the LMD Online.

In this issue of the LMD, there’s the first ballot for nominations for this year’s Best of The Beat Awards. Nomination forms are due back in the OffBeat office by November 10, so don’t delay. If you need a nominating ballot, please send us a fax or email to request one as only the official nominating ballots issued by OffBeat are valid (hey, we know a vote-stuffing opportunity when we see one!).

The final ballot with the music industry’s nominations will be available in late November online at offbeat.com and insideneworleans.com. Final balloting will only be available this year online. Stay tuned to both web sites for info on when voting is available.

This year OffBeat’s Best of The Beat Music Awards will be on January 3, 2001 at the House of Blues. Stay tuned for more details.

Music Biz News…

Jim McCormick, local songwriter and partner in Caffeine Music, has been appointed regional director for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (which is changing its name to the National Songwriters Association International). There are about 130 regional workshops in the country, and the association is more than 30 years old, with 5,000+ members. The annual membership fee is $100. Membership entitles writers to a song evaluation service by which they can submit songs to be evaluated by professional songwriters and publishers affiliated with NSAI, in addition to a variety of educational resources and networking opportunities.

The first New Orleans meeting of NSAI was on October 16, with 20 local songwriters attending. Writing exercises and song evaluations are an integral part of the meetings. The next one is at Nunemaker Hall, November 2, 7pm, with the seminar being presented by Jimbeau Hinson “Hillbilly Highway”, Ray Herndon of McBride and The Ride, and Marc Alan Barnette. After the seminar, they’ll perform at Caffeine Music Songwriters Night at Carrollton Station. For more information, call 488-7435 or contact McCormick at [email protected]

NSAI regional workshop meetings take place on the third Monday of each month at Loyola University’s Music Building in room 230. Meetings are free to first-time guests. Thereafter membership is required. The next meeting will take place Monday, November 28 from 7 pm to 9 pm. Attendees are invited to bring one song on cassette with at least 12 lyric sheets for song evaluations. Finally, Caffeine Music’s New Orleans Songwriters’ Night this month features John Stiratt (of Wilco) and friends on Friday, November 24 at 10p,m.

In other news related to music publishing, Louisiana Music Factory co-owner, historian and record producer Jerry Brock has been appointed as the New Orleans representative for Bug Music, the Los Angeles-based music publishing firm.

Johnny Palazzotto, producer, promoter, publisher and record label exec from Baton Rouge, was recently appointed to the Louisiana Music Commission. Maybe you can get some more music business folk on the Commish, Johnny.

Fellow LMC commissioner Jay Weigel and Artistic/Executive Director of New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center, recently acquired a $1-million grant from the Doris Duke Foundation, in conjunction with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, for producing workshops and “Jazz in America” concert series at the CAC. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard will be the Artist in Residence to help stage concerts with jazz musicians who may not otherwise have performed in the city, for the lack of a suitable venue. We say, the more jazz, the better. And the more places that serious music lovers have to listen to serious music, the more the music community–and out economic community–will benefit. It’s time we elevate our music to a serious status.

Events of note…

The Turtle Island String Quartet will play at Loyola’s Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall on Sunday, November 19, 2000 at 7:30p.m. The TISQ is renowned for striking a balance with the “emotional immediacy associated with jazz and the brilliant conceptualization associated with classical music.” The quartet rarely visits New Orleans, so this is a concert not to be missed. Admission is $20, with $10 admission for students. Call Loyola’s box office at 865-3492 for ticket information.

On November 18 & 19 at Zephyr Stadium, Frankie Ford will produce “Frankie Ford’s Legends for Charity” to benefit the Sunshine Kids and the Gretna Food Bank. Performers include Dale and Grace, the Dixie Cups, Jean Knight, Troy Shondell, Big Bopper Jr., Barbara Bennett, Jimmy Elledge, Mason McClain, Johnny Preston and the New Orleans Dynamo Band. General admission is $10/day, $15 for both days. For more info, call Gene LeBlanc at 738-7190 or Henry LaFrance at 737-6964 or check Frankie’s web site at www.frankieford.com.

You can do R&B during the day, and some other cool stuff that weekend because at press time we were informed that James Brown would be at the New Orleans Arena on November 18. The following evening WWOZ will hold a fundraising benefit at the House of Blues, with Snooks Eaglin, Olu Dara and more.

The Treme Arts & Cultural Festival and the New Orleans-South African Connection (NOSACONN) are creating a spectacular week of music in Treme and in Armstrong Park. On November 4 and 5, you must attend the Treme Fest; it’s one of the coolest festivals in New Orleans and has been one of my favorites over the years. The music will be headlined by Hugh Masekela and other local luminaries like Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr., Kermit Ruffins, Revealers, and many more. On November 6, Hugh Masekela kicks off New Orleans-South Africa Week, with performances at local clubs and concerts in Armstrong Park. See listings in this month’s magazine for more information on who’s performing.

People News…

Welcome to Nick Kaye, who’s starting a new column Ill-Literate, which will cover the local rap scene and hip hop culture. And finally, sad news that music entrepreneur Steve Gold passed away in New Orleans on October 22. Gold started his music business career as a CPA for such luminaries as Judy Garland and Lenny Bruce, and progressed to a deep involvement in the music business, where he discovered acts like Rick James. At the time of his death, Gold was involved with drummer Harold Brown and his fellow members of WAR; he moved to New Orleans several years ago to continue the fight for the original members’ use of the name and royalties. Steve was one a great raconteur, really knew the music business and was one crazy son-of-a-bitch. He will be missed.