A STRONG MUSIC COMMUNITY
I just wanted to drop you a note from a grateful New Orleans band to say thank you for all the hard work and great support at this year’s SXSW. The amount of organization and enthusiasm from OffBeat, the State of Louisiana, and the Mayor’s Office of the City of New Orleans was incredible. This being our first trip to SXSW, I can’t tell you what a pleasure and honor it was to be associated with so many of Louisiana’s super talented and great artists, along with the city, state and publications that support them. After spending the weekend in Austin and seeing so many showcases sponsored by various record labels, national publications, distributors and even several shows sponsored by foreign countries, the State of Louisiana/City of New Orleans/OffBeat/Basin Street Records showcases really seemed to stand alone. They did a great job representing the variety of music Louisiana has to offer and prove to those not living here (what we already know) that the music community is strong, vibrant and supported in the state.
—Jeff Burke, The Jeff and Vida Band,
New Orleans, LA
BIG CHEESE TICKETS
I guess I would call myself a Jazz Fest veteran, having attended for 16 years straight. Although I hail from the blue-blooded Commonwealth of Massachusetts and obviously not a local, I will assume others will feel the same about the new “Big Cheese Tickets.” Thanks a lot Quint; hasn’t enough of the charm of Jazz Fest been sucked out without you creating elitist class seating and privileges? What a desperate money grab. Great, now the precious seating in the jazz and blues tents will go to those willing to shell out the big bucks, while the rest of us are pushed aside.I’m ticked off, but I won’t let it spoil my fest experience. I’ll probably have more fun at the Ponderosa Stomp and going to funky bars like the Dragon’s Den, Maple Leaf and Fritzel’s. Let’s face it, sitting your butt on a cushy seat and a clean toilet just isn’t Jazz Fest.
—Ron Bradley, Springfield, MA
READY TO ROCK LOUISIANA
Just wanted to say hello, and thanks for your [Michael Hurtt] review of This Is Eccofonic. You described our “Beat Out My Love” as awesome, and I appreciate it very much! I wrote that song way back in 1958, and it’s nice to know that it’s still being appreciated. The Krazy Kats are still rocking as hard as ever, going into our 48th year together. Check us out at: krazykats.net when you have time. Let me know when you’re ready for us to rock in Louisiana! We’d love to come down there for a festival!
—Lee Dresser and the Kats, Kansas City, MO
OFFBEAT WEDDING
My brother, who lives in Los Angeles, is getting married in April. They decided to host the wedding in New Orleans, so friends and family from both New York and Los Angles could not only attend the wedding, but also Jazz Fest, many of them for the first time. My brother, his fiancée and myself have been doing Jazz Fest for years, and I subscribe to OffBeat, though I, too, live in Los Angeles, and only get to New Orleans that one time per year! Would it be possible to obtain 100 Jazz Fest Bibles for the out of town guests? We would be happy to pick them up at your headquarters or the Louisiana Music Factory, or provide hotel information for delivery. Thank you very much for any help you can provide.
—Lauren Mastrogiovanni,
Long Beach, CA
GREAT SOUVENIR
Thank you so much for the OffBeat subscription-related CD! And not just any CD but a live one from Jazz Fest 2004, which I attended with friends. What a great souvenir of a wonderful festival; I hope I can return for Jazz Fest 2005!
—Don Smith, Lancaster, NY
OffBeat’s free subscriber CD Live From The 2004 Jazz Fest is available with a paid subscription to OffBeat. – Ed.
