New Orleans - Helpful links related to its musicians and hurricane Katrina (I will be updating this page frequently):
If you are an ASCAP member and were based in the areas affected by hurricane Katrina, read this message from ASCAP.
If you are a BMI member affected by hurriance Katrina, there is some information up at their website.
WWOZ Music Aid (New Orleans' Jazz and Heritage Radio Station) A page with LOTS of links for musicians displaced by the hurricane and flooding and for people who want to make a donation to legit organizations.
Make It Right - Brad Pitt's project that calls for 150 affordable, environmentally sound houses in New Orleans' Ninth Ward over the next two years.
Silence Is Violence
Neighborhood Story Project (check out Coming Out The Door For The Ninth Ward)
New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund
ACORN - ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is the nation's largest community organization of low- and moderate-income families, working together for social justice and stronger communities.
Levees.org
New Orleans Musicians Clinic - An organization that addresses the health care needs of the musicians and their families.
Katrinas Piano Fund - Found this on Henry Butler's website.
NOAHleans.com
Save New Orleans/Louisiana Music - various links to resources for musicians.
The Tipitina's Foundation - Relief for artist's affected by Hurricane Katrina - this link is probably the best place to start if you are a displaced New Orleans musician in need of replacement instruments and/or gear.
Music Rising - A new organization developed in part by U2's The Edge to provide replacement instruments for gulf coast musicians affected by Katrina.
Baton Rouge Area Foundation (more help for evacuees)
Project HEAL
Singers Helping Singers - Part of Classical Singer magazine's website. Assistance for classical singers and musicians.
Red Cross
Benefit concerts listed by WWOZ that are taking place around the country to help the victims of Katrina.
Alternative media outlets where you can get a more accurate and balanced
presentation of the New Orleans catastrophe....
Times Picayune - New Orleans' newspaper online
alternet.org
blackelectorate.com
npr.org
slate.com
democracy.now
blackamericaweb.com
9/4/2005
I lived in New Orleans for five years and met and married my wife there before relocating to New York. I actively participated in its musical culture and experienced many life- changing events - musical and otherwise - in that city. And after hurricane Katrina and the resulting flooding this week, my heart is broken.
The music of America has deep roots in the indigenous music of New Orleans - which includes jazz of course, but also includes several other hybrids that one just doesn't hear too often in other parts of our country. I think of the chants of the Black Indians, the grooves of The Meters and The Neville Brothers, the psychedelic funk of Dr. John, the variety of Cajun, Irish, and South American music you hear there…it's a deep, deep well. This music is studied, played, and perpetuated by citizens of New Orleans - many of whom exist below the radar of popular culture as well as the culture of composed music across the country. I personally know musicians who have lost or suffered severe damage to their homes. Jobs are and will be for the foreseeable future non-existent. The spirit to rebuild is there and it is being articulated by many of that city's natives (Wynton Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr. come to mind). But I fear the news in the next several weeks is going to be bad before it gets good. I'm also at a loss to console my friends who got out of the city. And I am at a loss as to what to do about those who are currently unaccounted for.
One thing I can do is let people who don't know what it was like to live in New Orleans and why the city's culture is such a vital part of our country. This is not to take away from the tragedy faced by those in Mississippi, Alabama, and on into Florida. I am speaking about my own feelings about a city I feel more strongly connected to than I ever did. This after spending five years composing and recording my CD Saints & Devils which combines performances by friends in New Orleans (Charlie Miller, James Hall, Louis Romanos) with friends here in New York City. My hope is that I can articulate what is best about that city for anyone who is curious when I am asked.
- Chris Becker
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