TRUMPETER FOUND
Thank you for your cooperation trying to find a young trumpeter with a broken horn [“Weekly Beat,” August 21, 2008]. I found out he was Sean Roberts from Carver, who plays with TBC Brass Band.
I sent him a used Yamaha trumpet which was presented by a Japanese lady who played the instrument when she was in junior high.
—Yoshio Toyama, Tokyo, Japan
VOTE NO
On November 4th New Orleans voters face an important issue in the form of a charter amendment, called City of New Orleans Home Rule Charter Amendment. It’s designed to give the city a master plan with the force of law that must be followed to the letter in matters of zoning. While, on the face of it, it may seem to be a good thing, it portends many intended and unintended consequences that will be detrimental to the city. It would essentially stop the opening of most new live music venues. Currently for purposes of zoning, the city of New Orleans recognizes only a couple areas for live music clubs such as Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street. Since all new projects and businesses outside of the zoning require variances, and since this amendment essentially shuts down the variance process, it would stop the creation of any new live music venues in the city outside of the “live music” zones. Currently clubs could be grandfathered in, but if they would shut their doors for six months for any reason, they could not reopen the business at the same location.
No one knows what is in the master plan, because it hasn’t been written and we are being asked to give it the force of law regardless of what it will do to our property, our neighborhoods and our city. This is too risky.
At a time when our city needs the maximum of flexibility to deal with its changing situation, all citizens of New Orleans need to vote NO on the “master plan” charter amendment. It is vital for the continuation of progress in our city.
—Anthony Favre, New Orleans, LA
REZNOR
I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Trent Reznor. I am from Bogalusa, Louisiana originally, and now I live in Hawaii. I just came back from seeing his concert in Oakland, and it was perhaps the greatest concert experience of my life. I will fly to Portland to see them again. Your article brought back a lot of good memories of the city of New Orleans. I sure as hell miss that place. Thank you so much.
—Scott Smith, Honolulu, Hawaii
BEAUTIFUL REPRESENTATION
I want to give OffBeat and John Swenson a big sincere thank you for the review of Coco Robicheaux’s CD [Like I Said, Yeah, U Rite!]. I’m his wife Danielle and also a singer/songwriter, but not much of a letter writer. Coco blows me away with his lyrics and his showmanship. He surely is a New Orleans treasure and people around the world are taking notice. It is a joy to walk down the street with him in Paris as people shake his hand and say, “Yeah U rite!” Coco is a walking Tabasco ad (he drinks it out of the bottle for energy). Wherever he goes, he makes time to hear everyone’s personal story of spirit and gives out his homegrown wisdom. He loves and stands by New Orleans through thick and thin and is a beautiful representation of the Crescent City. John really got the essence of the CD.
—Danielle Laramie Robicheaux, New Orleans, LA
ON THE MARK
I am just a fan who loves your magazine very much because you keep the world informed about the wonderful music that comes out of New Orleans. I love your opinions of the city. You are on the mark about the Rampart Street scene.
—Irma Jackson, New Orleans, LA
Corrections: Benny’s was located at 938 Valence St., and the director of Toot Blues was Chris Johnstone, not Tim Duffy. We regret the errors.
