DR. MICHAEL WHITE
The article about Dr. Michael White is most moving. In the Jewish tradition, it is our duty to “turn sorrow into song.” His journey shows us how to do that, and his most recent recording reflects that result. There is no doubt his music brought joy to the birds, the bees and the fishes in the sea. God is supposed to have created the world with 10 sounds; surely one of those comes from Michael’s clarinet. Please tell him we love him and hear him all the time.

—Alvin Samuels, Austin, TX

Thank you so much for the marvelous, thorough, insightful article on Michael White and his latest compositions created at A Studio in the Woods. It’s the best article I’ve seen so far on this topic, really fine, and so much from the source—Michael’s own words. We have learned firsthand that Michael is not only a great musician, but also an outstanding person all around. His work here exemplifies the mission we strive to accomplish—to support the role of the artist in creating the great art which raises human consciousness of our oneness and the interdependence of all life.

Thank you all at OffBeat for helping us to achieve that mission by promulgating a great musician and putting more people in touch with his work.

—Lucianne Carmichael, Founder of A Studio in the Woods, New Orleans, LA

UNLIKE ANYWHERE
I’ve been a reader since the Jazz Fest issue of ’89 (“these guys’ll never make it competing with Wavelength”). From Danny Barker to Deadeye Dick, the Backsliders to the Zion Harmonizers, all possible Neville permutations and combinations, and everything in between. But I was truly visited by the spirits myself as I read “Out of the Woods” (Aug ’08).

Dr. White states, “It’s like the music regenerates itself…. I felt like I channeled the music on Blue Crescent more than composed it. It’s almost like this stuff came from somewhere else through me. It’s all of those people I saw and played with before…. Even though the music is contemporary because it reflects what’s happening today, those people who I knew, they’re still alive in it somehow. Their spirit informs it.”

I think, more than any other indigenous music, this is true of all New Orleans music. The people over the years who have truly channeled The Muse have understood this principle. Louis, George Lewis, Harold Battiste, Allen Toussaint, the Nevilles, Barker, Dr. John, ad infinitum. The personal experiences all blend with the past and meld into a new take on the same old values (which are just as fresh and relevant today). The music spirits mingle in New Orleans unlike anywhere else on earth. The neighborhood and family ties have always run deep there, and this has been a major influence on the musicians, resulting in the feeling of connectedness. These influences positively affect the artist, enabling him (and her, Irma!) to create something unique but universal.

K-Bitch wiped away structures and social institutions that can be rebuilt, but I worry about the destruction of connectedness. Families and relationships were hit hard. Will this be the death knell for traditional jazz? Maybe for whatever else sprouts up in New Orleans? Without the reinforcement of culture, social connections and the chance to jump into “the river” that Michael White talks about, New Orleans music of all stripes could become just a relic. That tourist version of traditional jazz (or R&B, or whatever) could be sold as reminders of “what once was,” just like rice calas.

The city needs more than ever to encourage artists of all types, especially musicians. We got enough American Idol knockoffs. Keep it real, and I don’t mean the corporate-mandated charade of keepin’ it real. Encourage the arts. Let the music percolate like that funky water in the bayous. That stuff is rich.

Thanks to Dr. MW, thanks to OffBeat, ’OZ and the musicians who try to keep the spirits alive.

—Al Dunn, Salisbury, NC

SATCHMO SUMMERFEST
Just returned from New Orleans and the Satchmo SummerFest, the music was great and the weather terrific—even got to talk to Jan Ramsey on the first day of the festival outside of the U.S. Mint. After attending the festival—and I’ve been to every one—I must disagree with Jan’s comments in August’s “Mojo Mouth” regarding the need to advertise the Armstrong and French Quarter Festivals more extensively. While it certainly makes sense for the French Quarter Festival, I don’t believe given the constraints of the Mint location that too many more people can be accommodated for the Armstrong Festival. The three main stages were packed early every day, and I even noticed people sitting out on the neutral ground on Esplanade and on the sidewalk beyond the fence at the Contemporary Jazz Stage. The only open space was at the kid’s stage.

Unless the festival is relocated to a larger venue, which I don’t recommend, there is no need to boost attendance. It’s a great festival and a terrific time of the year to be in New Orleans because there are not a lot of tourists, hotel prices are reasonable, and restaurant reservations easy to make at the last moment. Those of us from Florida and Texas do not find the heat to be overbearing, and I for one plan to keep coming.

—Ralph Collinson, Vedra Beach, FL

A WEDDING DESTINATION
My wife and I were married in New Orleans on April 12, 2008. We’re not from New Orleans, or even Louisiana; rather, we’ve both grown to know and love the city through multiple visits both before and after Katrina.

Our wedding was more joyous than we could’ve imagined—115 guests flying to the Big Easy to fill up hotel rooms, eateries and local shops. Kermit Ruffins played our wedding with gusto, and the very next day we watched him close out French Quarter Fest.

We took great joy in introducing so many loved ones to the magic of New Orleans, and our guests were thrilled. Many of them are planning follow-up trips. Please consider this letter a gentle reach out to your non-New Orleans resident readers who are close to tying the knot. New Orleans is waiting for your destination wedding!

—Todd Drucker, Los Angeles, CA

New Orleanians can do weddings like nobody else on earth—whether it’s a massive bridezilla-a-thon at the cathedral, or a pleasant afternoon at somebody’s house!
Me, I was a Jazz Fest bride (someday I’m going to write a bad country song with that title!). We’re Jewish, so we couldn’t exactly be one of the couples tying the knot in the Gospel Tent, but we did manage to have an ’OZ DJ as our maid of honor, and we enjoy telling people we spent our wedding night with Rebirth!

Since our wedding (five years ago), we’ve met people from all over who got married at the Fest (including one couple from L.A. who got married the exact same day we did, at the Radiators show on the Creole Queen)

—Roberta LeGrand, Las Vegas, NV