Blogs
Hurricane Ida Did Lasting Damage to New Orleans Musical History
Hurricane Ida destroyed the fragile Karnofsky Tailor Shop on South Rampart Street, but it’s also had a lasting impact on other sites that are integral to New Orleans’ connection to the history of jazz.
The Importance of Rampart
There are many “cultural products” districts in New Orleans, and several unofficial music districts throughout the city, the most famous ones are Frenchmen Street and Bourbon Street. St. Claude is […]
The Louis Armstrong Effect
Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans, but he didn’t stay in the city. This weekend is our annual Satchmo SummerFest, the festival that pays tribute to one of the […]
Satchmo Summerfest: Much More Than I’ll Ever Know
I grew up believing that Louis Armstrong was born on the Fourth of July in the year 1900. I always thought it was appropriate for the great, American cultural hero […]
Satchmo and Big Ideas
Okay, I know I’m supposed to be a music nerd, but I’m less of a nerd than a fan. Music moves me. I don’t try to analyze it too much, […]
Armstrong Park, Sculpture Garden Open Again
“You will see the restored statue of Louis Armstrong, toe and all,” Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced today at a ribbon cutting ceremony to reopen Armstrong Park. The damaging of the […]
SatchmoFest Needs to Be in Armstrong Park
Back in 2000, 11 years ago, I was working with the Louisiana Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism (known colloquially as “CRT”) to work on some projects involving Louisiana music. […]
Treme Wrap-Up: “Everything We Do Counts”
[SPOILER ALERT] The second season of Treme ended Sunday with an episode written by David Simon and Anthony Bourdain that echoed last year’s season finale, but not in an air-tight, […]
Collectors Items?
In a recent blog post, I questioned art4now’s “Vintage Poster Values,” which documents what Jazz Fest posters cost when they were first sold and what they cost now from art4now. […]
Jazz Fest First Thoughts
Some disconnected quick thoughts: – It’s tempting to say that Jazz Fest has managed its long-time knack for booking bands after their prime – Pearl Jam – but they’ve got […]
