Sunday, September 25, 2005

Katrina: "Emotions Run High..."

Google the words "Katrina" and "Jazz" and you will find pages and pages of links referring to the AP story about Jazz at Lincoln Center's "Higher Ground" hurricane relief benefit concert last Saturday night. The article entitled "Emotions Run High at Katrina Jazz Concert" outlined the celebrities and their critical views on how the federal government handled the hurricane's aftermath and "conditions prior to it". Hundreds of news services must have run this article.

Fox News, while covering the event and using the same title for their article had a decidedly different view of the event. My mistake, the article talked about the Madison Square Garden concert. Searching Fox News, I can't seem to find that they covered the Higher Ground concert at all.

Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society

The San Francisco Chronicle Calendar section has an article today about the 40th anniversary of the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society - Pete Douglas, proprietor - at Miramar Beach on the Half Moon Bay coastside.

The 40-year anniversary will be marked today with a screening of "Jazz on the West Coast: The Lighthouse," a 77-minute documentary chronicling the famed Lighthouse jazz club in Hermosa Beach. Stars of the so-called L.A. "Cool" style like Bud Shank and Shorty Rogers first gained prominence in now legendary 1950s Lighthouse jam sessions led by bassist Howard Rumsey. The Lighthouse just happens to be where a teenage Pete Douglas first caught the jazz bug.


Read the article for a brief history of the club and interview with Pete although the article does little to reveal his personality. Pete, love him or hate him, has single handedly supported jazz on the coast and made the Bach what it has been for the last 40 years and is today. For more information see: www.bachddsoc.org.

Saturday, September 24, 2005

San Francisco Blues Festival



The San Francisco Blues Festival started 33 years ago and purports to be the oldest ongoing blues festival in the world. It runs today and tomorrow and the weather is perfect. I've been to this several times and must say that it is always a blast. There is lots to see and hear at their web site.

Last Wednesday, Michael Krasney from KQED radio's Forum show interviewed the festival's founder and producer Tom Mazzolini and Angeli Strehli who also performs.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Monterey Jazz Festival

We did get down to the Monterey Jazz Festival on Sunday and as usual, it is a great hang surrounded by jazz and jazz lovers. It was a beautiful day to drive down along the ocean from Half Moon Bay. A good way to start the day.

We beelined to see the interview on the creative process with Carla Bley and Steve Swallow. The conversation was very laid back, fun and a little predictable but I did learn how much detail actually goes into her compositions. Every note is painstakingly contemplated so that it is written in stone and played as written. Steve Swallow said listening to her write 2 measures for weeks at a time drove him out of his mind and that it truly was an illness to which Carla agreed. Friend and trumpeter John Worley played in her band for the festival and can attest to her ability to hear every note in the huge chords. John had a lot more good to say about Carla and I hope he can write about the experience. She talked about growing up and how delighted she would feel when musical toys would break and play all the wrong notes and how she loved the arcade at the Cliff House in San Francisco and how wrong the music would sound from the worn out arcade machines.

Shopping and eating came next. The festival always hosts a great collection of artists and vendors that you do not see every day or at every festival.

We caught some of Claire Dee and I thought that she got a lot more funky then what you hear on her CDs which was nice and refreshing. Her sweet and easy listening stuff was there too along with husband and arranger Ken French on piano. All in all a very professional performance.

While we were waiting for Jon Jang, we thought we would see what was playing in the arena. We didn't check the schedule but could hear music and since there was no one at the open gate, we just walked in. The place was empty except for someone on stage playing guitar and the sound people. We sat down in the last row drinking our coffees and listening to this cat on stage in a baseball cap strumming these huge complex chords and creating this massive sound and trying out several guitars when we started thinking that this must be Pat Metheny doing a sound check. We sat there for 10 or 15 minutes being treated to this incredible private concert when I thought to pull out the binoculars to get a better look at the performer. That is when an usher walks up and asks to see our pass. I show her my arena ticket but that is not good enough as the arena is closed and we have to leave. It was most enjoyable as we could not stay for his concert later that evening.

A brief word about the sound systems which sounded excellent except for the volume. Every venue is so loud my ears rang and at times, left me wincing in pain. Am I the only one to notice this? I did appreciate the quality of the sound and the expert engineering.

On to Jon Jang. We are friends with almost half the band, well at least Wayne Wallace and John Worley. It is always good to hear them play together. Jon's arrangements of east asian folk music as modern jazz compositions is unique and interesting. He talks of the history of the originating pieces and makes the show quite interesting. They did not have much rehearsal time as the group is new but the high level of musicianship pulled off a show different then any other at the festival. The musicians were obviously having fun and a very appreciative audience gave a standing ovation.

We next took in the Christian McBride show. I play bass and wanted a good seat. Christian come out and plays an incredibly complex bass solo, first thing, with unbelievable chops. Most impressive. The rest of the band filters in and they play a long groove tune. The surprise (at least to me) is that there is a DJ layin down the beat and it turns into a hippity hop concert. It is all high quality music, except for the drum loops on vinyl which were fairly scratched and dirty, so there was a lot of popping and hiss (not helped by the loud PA). I liked the first tune anyway but halfway through the second tune, the music was going nowhere fast and it is getting close Denny Zeitlen's first set. We made the decision to leave the pretty good seats we had and take that long obvious walk down the aisle. Sorry Christian.

Denny Zeitlen was worth it and the best show of the festival for me. A pianist of incredible technique and interpretation, Denny always leaves me wondering where he comes from. One revealing song was a piece that described his experiences mountain biking around Slickrock in southern Utah. Most entertaining and it explains a few things. Buster Williams plays an understated bass with interesting an interesting slide technique that taught me a few things. This was my first exposure to drummer Matt Wilson who is one of the most musical and expressive drummers I have seen in a long time. He appears to have jumped out of an old tv series but I was left wanting to know more and that is my homework assignment for this week.

We left after that but had a great time. One more thing, this festival is one great mecca for photographers. They swarm the stage at every concert. I know you must be bold to get the good pictures and I tried once myself but there were so many, I must say that it was a bit distracting. What can you say. It is really irresistible for most jazz loving photographers.

Here are a few links for other MJF reviews:

Jazz Portraits
Jazz Police.com (2nd day review)
Doug Ramsey - Rifftides...
Fojazz (various posts)...

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Katrina: BENEFIT FOR MIDEASTERN DANCER/JAZZ MUSICIAN KATRINA VICTIMS

Found this on Tribe. The Morocco Studio in New York is holding a benefit HAFLA for Mideastern dancers and jazz musicians affected by Katrina this Sunday.


Date & Time: Sunday, September 18, 2005
more on this date 12:00 PM

Location: MOROCCO STUDIO 6 West 20 St. (bet 5 & 6) 2nd floor New York, NY 10011
view map

More Info: 212-727-8326www.casbahdance.org/studio.html

48th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival

The 48th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival runs this Friday through Sunday. Prices have risen but even the grounds tickets are worth it or check Craig's List.

Carla Bley

Oakland born Carla Bley finishes up at Yoshi's tonight and performs a commissioned piece for the Monterey Jazz Festival on Saturday night.

Post-bop jazz has produced only a few first-rate composers of larger forms; Carla Bley ranks high amongst them. Bley possesses an unusually wide compositional range; she combines an acquaintance with and love for jazz in all its forms with great talent and originality. Her music is a peculiarly individual type of hyper-modern jazz. Bley is capable of writing music of great drama and profound humor, often within the confines of the same piece.

Katrina: NAMM

NAMM is looking for information from it's Katrina affected members.

NAMM Members Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina.
We've received calls and e-mails from Members around the world who are sharing their plans to help. If you'd like to share what your business is doing to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, please e-mail us.

Were You Affected By Hurricane Katrina? Let Us Know You're Safe.
We are just now starting to hear from NAMM Members in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by the disaster. We know many of you do business with people in the areas that Katrina hit and we are encouraging all NAMM Members from this region to contact us so we can let everyone know if they are alright and how to reach them.The music products industry is a close-knit family. In a time of crisis, families pull together, and that's what we must do now. There are many different ways to contribute to the well-being of those who have suffered, and once their basic needs are met, we will work with the affected communities to bring the healing power of music back into their lives.

Sincerely,
Dennis Houlihan, Chairman
Joe Lamond, President

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Katrina: Will Jazz be Drowned Out?

This audio essay is from Chicago Public Radio:

Will Jazz be Drowned Out?
Tony Sarabia—Correspondent, Chicago Public Radio News

Jazz has enriched both Chicago and New Orleans' culture for decades, but Hurricane Katrina may have seriously damaged that shared musical legacy.

Times of India - Requiem for New Orleans as Katrina drowns jazz

This is an article from "The Times of India" lamenting the affects of Katrina on the music scene of New Orleans. Warning, lots of "Bollywood" pop ups!

On a corner off Canal and Rampart on the edge of the French Quarter an old man wearing dark glasses with a white cane beside him sits on the kerb in front of a shuttered Woolworth's playing a saxophone, the skittering notes random as the small change collected in the cloth cap by his feet.

New Orleans jazz funerals are casualty of Katrina

Found this on Post-Gazette.com. Read the full article here.

Few cities bury their dead in the high style of New Orleans, where funerals can last a week, feature jazz bands as well as parades and draw bigger crowds than weddings do. But those traditions are, for the time being, yet another casualty of Hurricane Katrina. The same flood that ended so many lives in New Orleans shut down most of the city's institutions of death -- its funeral homes, churches and cemeteries. It also scattered the crowds that make New Orleans funerals so extraordinary.

Monday, September 12, 2005

Katrina: Queen Sized Clothing Relief

Found this on the WWOZ site:

Oversize women's clothes:

Hello. I am a community radio DJ, artist, and New Orleans friend in Astoria, OR. I have been collecting NICE plus sized women's clothing for the larger ladies who have lost their stuff. I have LOTS...all clean and ready to wear. I can supply some show clothes, if a musician or singer or someone needs them. I can send packages directly. What I really need is a connection in your area to help me distribute these items to the women who need them. The clothes range from nice show clothes to summer-wear for those in the shelters.

Please help me find a contact...I can ship or truck them down once things level off.I also could help out a musician, animals, or foster a kid. Please let me know how I can help and please find a contact for my wonderful Queen Sized Clothing.

Thanks

Calamity Jane

cafevaquera@hotmail.com

Queen Sized Relief.....

Katrina: AFM Local 174-496

The American Federation of Musicians Union - New Orleans Local 174-496 web site is here. They have a known safe musicians contact database and a relief fund.

Katrina: Blues For Katrina

The Blues For Katrina web site seeks to provide a forum for musicians, artists, agents and promoters to collaborate on efforts to stage benefit concerts and other fund-raising events to provide aid and relief to the unfortunate victims of Hurricane Katrina which struck the Gulf Coast of The United States on the 29th of August, 2005.

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Katrina: NOLA gigs for displaced musicians

This is an interesting web site designed to search for employment opportunities for displaced NOLA musicians. The site is very new and they could use more gigs for the database.

Katrina: New Blog - Musicians in Southeast Louisiana

This blog is dedicated to specifically helping the musicians of Southern Louisiana.

Katrina: WWOZ help for Musicians page

The WWOZ web site continues to be a good site for musicians to seek assistance. This page is a great place to start and contains links to many resources.

Katrina: Larry's Improv Page Helping Musicians

Larry has been gathering information to help musicians affected by Katrina. This site contains information about the New Orleans Musician's Clinic, an Instrument Fund drive and a "bunch of links" to many helpful sites.

Katrina: Singer 'Gatemouth' Brown dies after evacuation

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (AP) -- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, the singer and guitarist who built a 50-year career playing blues, country, jazz and Cajun music, died Saturday in his hometown of Orange, Texas, where he had gone to escape Hurricane Katrina. He was 81.

Read the full story here.

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Katrina: “Requiem”

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

List of New Orleans musicians who are safe.

This huge list from WWOZ Radio:

This is a list of New Orleans musicians who are safe. Thanks to Basin Street Records, JazzAscona, the Chicago Jazz Archive, and the Rebirth Brass Band for all their information. Last Updated 9/6/05.

If you're a musician, or know the whereabouts of some of New Orleans' finest, let us know. Please check the list before submitting any information - and thanks, we hope
you're well!

JAZZ “MARATHON FUNDRAISER” in the WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN AREA

Sunday, September 11, 2005 (12pm until)
Venue TWINS JAZZ
1344 U. St. NW,
Washington, DC 20009 - Tel: ( 202) 234-0072
http://www.twinsjazz.com

New Orleans is known as the birthplace of Jazz. The people of New Orleans desperately need our help! All jazz musicians and listeners are asked to donate and support this occasion. It's our time to give. Twins Jazz is providing the space and donating a percentage of that day’s daily receipts. All other jazz venues are asked to donate as well. We must come together as a Jazz family to help the people in New Orleans. Television, Radio Stations, Newspapers and Webmasters are asked to publicize this event. All donations are accepted. We need your immediate help to make this a success! The people of New Orleans need our help. Let’s show them, the jazz community in the Metropolitan area really cares.

Please bring new clothing, diapers, shoes, can food, bottled water, boxes, etc, Volunteers & Vehicles are Needed to Transport. Make checks & money orders payable to your choice Tax Deductible Donations $50, $100, $500, 1,000, $5,000, etc.

Procedes will be divided between HIGHER GROUND HURRICANE RELIEF FUND, the AMERICAN RED CROSS and HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

More details here.

Katrina: WWOZ in Exile is looking for past program tapes

WWOZ-In-Exile is requesting any listeners with tapes of WWOZ programming to contact Ken Freedman at WFMU (ken@wfmu.org) for use on WWOZ's temporary webstream.

WWOZ is also looking for money to rebuild the station:

WFMU is accepting donations on this page for the rebuilding of WWOZ, New Orleans. Because we want to put every penny towards WWOZ's reconstruction, and because WWOZ still has no central facilities, we are not offering any gifts at this time. All donations are 100% tax-deductible. WFMU / Auricle Communications is a 501(c)(3) charity, as defined by the IRS. By pledging to WWOZ's reconstruction, you will not be added to WFMU's mailing list, only to WWOZ's.

To pledge, click here.

Music of New Orleans reminds of what's lost

From Reuters News Agency:

By Chris Morris
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In the drowned city of New Orleans, Preservation Hall is still standing.

A story in Monday's Los Angeles Times said the fate of the historic jazz venue on St. Peter Street in the French Quarter was still unknown. But -- in the uncertainty of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath and because of the dicey nature of communications out of the city -- information about New Orleans is being passed hand to hand, from one soul to the other.

Ben Jaffe -- whose family has operated Preservation Hall since 1961 as a temple devoted to the city's traditional jazz music -- survived Katrina's blow, according to Andy Hurwitz of Ropeadope Records in New York, who is working on a remix project with the Preservation Hall label.

"He decided that he and his family had been through worse," Hurwitz wrote in an e-mail last week, "so he rode out the actual storm, and both he and the hall made it relatively unscathed. But just yesterday (August 31), he felt the need to finally flee -- not because of the hurricane but because of the wild looting and lawlessness. He said he was scared, and he's the baddest cat I know."

Shots of Preservation Hall are among the first and last things one sees in Michael Murphy's new documentary "Make It Funky!" In an unsettling coincidence of timing, the Triumph Films release opens Friday at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood and the Quad Cinemas in Manhattan.

Murphy's film, like the all-star April 2004 concert that serves as its center, was meant to be a celebration of New Orleans' fount of musical genius. Most of the Crescent City's best-known and best-loved stars -- Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, the Neville Brothers, Snooks Eaglin -- are seen in live performance.

It's a jubilant movie, but, in Katrina's aftermath, it jarringly serves to show us all the more what's been lost in the destruction of New Orleans.

Murphy's walk through musical history makes the point that New Orleans music is very much a form of street music. The town's sound was born on the pavement -- in the singing of slaves on Congo Square, in the playing of funeral parade bands, in the rhythmic contests of Mardi Gras Indians.

And now one must wonder if that joyous noise will ever rise again out of those now-inundated streets.

For the time being, at least, the only way we can honor the city's tradition is to revisit it by dipping into the jazz of Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet; the R&B of Fats Domino, Professor Longhair and Dave Bartholomew; the funk of the Meters and Dr. John.

Although closed indefinitely, the indomitable Preservation Hall has established a fund devoted to the relief of the city's musicians. (Consult http://www.preservationhall.com.) The fund will be sustained by the sale of T-shirts emblazoned with a famed Armstrong song title, "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?"

Now, sadly, we will likely all know what it means.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Katrina: Transplanted Creoles vow to keep culture alive

Found this article via the Associated Press.

LOS ANGELES – Wilda Little speaks Creole with her cousin two or three times a week and listens to her favorite zydeco bands on aging vinyl records, but that's about as close as the Louisiana transplant gets these days to the Creole culture of her youth.

Little, 80, is one of the last standard-bearers of the once-vibrant Louisiana Creole community in Los Angeles that has faded a little more each year as the zydeco dance halls shut down and native Creole speakers died.

Now, after Hurricane Katrina dealt a devastating blow to New Orleans and its teeming culture, Creoles who left decades ago are vowing to preserve their endangered language and music.


Read the full article here.

Katrina: survivor first-hand account from Charmaine Neville

Emotional video interview of Charmaine Neville. Found on BoingBoing.

Famed musician and New Orleans native Charmaine Neville's account of being stranded, attempting to rescue others, and "being treated like animals" by the federal authorities who were tasked with protecting and saving citizens. Ms. Neville broke into a school bus, packed it with survivors -- some of whom were disabled persons confined to wheelchairs -- and drove them out of the city.

Katrina: Buy a theremin, help the Red Cross

Inverseroom has put one of his great-looking 14 control photo theremins on eBay, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross: eBay page.

Found on Music Thing.

Katrina: MSNBC auctions off autographed guitar

To raise additional funds for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, MSNBC.com is holding an exclusive online auction of a unique Gibson guitar that was autographed by all performers and presenters during Friday night's live benefit concert on NBC...

The autographed instrument is a Les Paul Standard with a 1960’s-style neck. The guitar was donated by Nashville-based Gibson USA, and is valued at $3,248 without the autographs.

MSNBC's auction will conclude on Friday, Sept. 9, at 8 p.m. ET. (MSNBC is a joint venture between NBC and Microsoft.) Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross, which has been organizing relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other affected areas.

The link also contains video clips from the concert.

Found on Music Thing.

Katrina: WWOZ broadcasting on the web

WWOZ may be off the air but they are back on the web, streaming jazz. Thier web site also offers information on the New Orleans Musician's clinic, a musician fund in the making, housing opportunities and animal rescue and lots more. Looks like they will also need money to rebuild the station.

Katrina: Report From WWOZ New Orleans General Manager

David Freedman the Manager of WWOZ New Orleans files a very personal report on the blog site of WFMU. They will need money to rebuild the station. Also, they are currently streaming audio on the web. Check out the blog here and the streaming radio here.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Katrina: Preservation Hall Relief fund

Found this link on Jazz West:

Please donate to the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund.This fund is established by Preservation Hall to provide musicians with financial support during this tragic time. 100% of money raised through this fund will go directly to New Orleans musicians. Thank you for your continued support.

Katrina: Clear Channel StormAid Tally

Folks have mixed feelings about Clear Channel but here is a list of what their entertainment affiliates have done and are doing to benefit the storm affected south.

Katrina: Nevilles Escape to Memphis

From KGET news web site:

Singer Aaron Neville and the entire New Orleans Neville family got out of town on Monday and are currently staying at a hotel in Memphis, reports FoxNews.com’s Roger Friedman, however most of the Nevilles’ homes are destroyed, according to their niece and “A Current Affair” host, Arthel Neville...

*Musician/songwriter Allen Toussaint was one of the 25,000 refugees stranded at the New Orleans Superdome hoping to get on a bus for Houston’s Astrodome...

*New Orleans’ own “Queen of Soul” Irma Thomas, the original singer of what became the Rolling Stones’ hit, “Time is On My Side,” has also not been heard from since the hurricane hit. Her club, The Lion’s Den, is now under water...

*Philadelphia-born R&B veteran Patti LaBelle has offered her home to a friend...

*At the World Music Awards held Wednesday, percussionist Sheila E said she hasn’t been able to contact relatives in New Orleans.

Click here for the complete article.

Katrina: Memphis rocker Alex Chilton evacuated from New Orleans

Memphis rocker evacuated from New Orleans home

By Jon SparksContactSeptember 5, 2005

Memphian Alex Chilton, 54, the famed rock singer and guitarist who lives in New Orleans is alive and well. Ron Easley, a friend and fellow musician who has recorded a number of albums with him, said Chilton called early Monday morning from a hotel in a city Easley would not name. He said Chilton was evacuated by helicopter from his home Sunday and later flown out of the area.

Chilton, who hadn’t been heard from since shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck, told Easley he stayed in his home the entire time and water had gotten up to his porch. Chilton said he had food and water but was most concerned during the week about roving gangs.

Katrina: Give New Orleans a N.Y. week

Found a mention of this NY Daily News article by Pete Hamil on Cahl's Juke Joint calling for the Mother of All Benefit Concerts.

Monday, September 05, 2005

Katrina: The Shrimp and Petroleum Festival re-scheduled

Article from the 2theadvocate news site in Baton rouge:

Several Labor Day festivals canceled; benefit concert set

By RICHARD BURGESS


Acadiana bureau LAFAYETTE -- A planned zydeco concert at the Yambilee Building in Opelousas that threatened to displace more than 400 Katrina evacuees at a shelter there has been canceled after the organizer had a change of heart Friday.

Ultimate Zydeco Throwdown organizer Cullen Washington said earlier this week that he planned to enforce his contract to hold the event today and suggested the evacuees be moved to nearby schools for the weekend.

"I went ahead and decided to cancel it. … I can't find it in my heart to kick women and children out so people can come have a party," Washington said.

Washington estimated that he has lost about $13,000 on marketing and supplies.

"I'm still blessed that I can go home tonight. I can take a shower and get in bed," he said.

Other zydeco events planned for the festival-heavy Labor Day weekend will go on as scheduled, including:

-The Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Plaisance
-The Creole Zydeco Festival in St. Martinville.

But some festivals have been postponed or canceled in the aftermath of Katrina.Those are:

-The Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City, re-scheduled for next month
-The Rayne Frog Festival has also been postponed. No new date has been set.
-The Mamou Cajun Music Festival has been canceled.

Meanwhile, plans are coming together for a Katrina relief benefit concert Sept. 10 at Parc International in downtown Lafayette. The lineup has yet to be confirmed. Acadiana Arts Council Executive Director Buddy Palmer said he hopes the benefit concert will raise at least $15,000 for the American Red Cross.

Katrina: More on Fats Domino

Another article in the 2theadvocate news site in Baton Rouge about Fats Domino's escape from New Orleans.

Katrina: International Association for Jazz Education forum board

IAJE invites you to post announcements about fund-raising events or projects to benefit hurricane victims on this bulletin board. To post your announcement, click "reply" to this message. IAJE can't verify the integrity of all events posted here, so we recommend that you check them out BEFORE you send money. Charity watchdogs such as www.charitynavigator.org and www.guidestar.org are places to make certain your donations are getting to the right place and quickly to those in need.

Katrina: Classes at University of South Florida opening its doors

Found this on the International Association for Jazz Education forum board for Hurricane Assistance:

As at many other institutions throughout the country, The University of South Florida is opening its doors to students affected by Hurricane Katrina. Don't hesitate to contact the USF School of Music http:\\music.arts.usf.edu or 813-974-2311 for more details. The University announcement follows:

Chuck Owen

USF is prepared to make special accommodations to allow undergraduate and graduate students who are impacted by the hurricane to take classes at USF this semester.

"Our goal is to allow students to pursue their college education without interruption until these universities reopen," said Bob Spatig, USF's director of undergraduate admissions. "We'll work with parents and students as much as we can to accommodate their individual needs.

"The university has approved waiving the out-of-state portion of tuition and fees for non-resident students enrolled at USF for Fall 2005 only, providing they furnish evidence of enrollment or intent to enroll in Fall 2005 at an institution of higher education located in the region affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Students interested in inquiring about enrolling for the Fall semester at USF should call our toll-free number at 877-USF-BULLS.

Katrina: University of Northern Colorado is also opening its doors

Found this on the International Association for Jazz Education forum board for Hurricane Assistance:

The University of Northern Colorado is also opening its doors to university students in the Gulf area. Below is a copy of the message that our President released this afternoon.

David Caffey, Director
School of Music
University of Northern Colorado

"UNC is among dozens of universities across the nation working to help students whose lives were disrupted by Hurricane Katrina. We are welcoming late applications from students displaced from Gulf Coast universities that are temporarily closed. UNC’s Admissions Office will help each student through a simplified application process, and the Office of Academic Support and Advising has assigned an advisor to help the students register. For more information, transfer students may call 1-888-700-4UNC toll-free or 351-2881 in Greeley.

Five UNC students who are in the National Guard have already been called to active duty to help in the hurricane’s aftermath. Their willingness to set aside their own lives to spend weeks, perhaps months, helping in Louisiana and Mississippi makes us proud.

Dean of Students Jean Schober Morrell serves as the liaison between students who are called to active duty and their professors. The Dean of Students Office will notify the students’ professors. If a student chooses to withdraw from classes, the office will contact the Registrar, so the student is not charged. Students who are called to active duty must contact the Dean of Students Office at 351-2796.

Even from some 1,400 miles away, those of us who remain on campus can make a difference. To support the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Katrina, call 1-800-HELP-NOW (435-7669), log onto http://www.redcross.org or mail your check with the appropriate designation in the “For” line to: Centennial Chapter American Red Cross, 804 23rd Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.

As a university, we want to support in every way possible both the students who come to UNC during this tragedy and those who must leave us. I appreciate the professors, advisors and other student service providers who are working to let students know that we will do what it takes to help them succeed at UNC.

Sincerely,

President Kay Norton

Katrina: CLASSES OFFERED AT THE U OF Memphis for Katrina victims

Found this on the International Association for Jazz Education forum board for Hurricane Assistance:

To all,

The president of the University of Memphis announced earlier this week college students who could not attend classes due Hurricane Katrina damage could enroll at the University of Memphis and can get the equal classes to their own curriculum. Please look at memphis.edu (the home page), the following message is posted there.

University of Memphis AdmissionsIn light of the uncertainty surrounding re-habitation of the areas in the Gulf Coast, the University of Memphis will immediately accept students who are currently enrolled in accredited colleges and universities located in that region. Students who have not paid tuition at their home institution will be accepted at the in-state rate. Students whose tuition expenses have been paid to their home institutions will not be required to made additional payments. The University of Memphis is not requiring transcripts nor test scores until such documents are available.

The University is delighted to provide this service in a time of need. University officials welcome inquiries from any displaced students of the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

For further information, please contact Gloria Moore in the Office of Admissions at 901/678-2111 or 800/669-2678.

Thanks

Dr. Jack T. Cooper
Director of Jazz Studies
The University of Memphis

Katrina: Help for New Orleans Musicians in Houston

NOAHleans is a group in Houston looking to help musicians displaced by Hurrican Katrina.

Katrina: Herman Leonard Family Help Fund

Found this on the International Association for Jazz Education forum board for Hurricane Assistance:

We have recieved word on the status of legendary photographer Herman Leonard. His negatives are in a 5th floor vault at the Ogden Museum in N.O. and may be okay, but they are inaccessible for months. He has lost his home and studio - everything - prints, artwork collected over a lifetime, the computer with all the digital work he has been doing for the last 10 years, darkroom - everything that can produce an income. Herman and his family are now safe in Long Beach, California for the time being. See the following advisory regarding how you can help:

Dear Family and Friends,

We are writing to you on behalf of the LEONARD FAMILY HELP FUND.

As many of you know, Herman Leonard, Shana Leonard, Stephen Smith and their daughter India were living in New Orleans, specifically in the Lakeview area, which is now well submerged in water in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. They were able to evacuate the city but their property has been flooded and their possessions destroyed. They left New Orleans with little more than the clothes on their back and will have to completely rebuild their lives.

Amongst their possessions were all of India's expensive medical equipment. India is severely disabled with cerebral palsy and microcephaly. Although she is 10 years old, she is not able to walk, talk or feed herself, and requires 24-hour care. A lot of the equipment that is used on a daily basis they were forced to leave behind and it must be replaced as soon as possible.

Many of you have been calling and asking how to help, which has meant a lot to them. Here is the way: LOVE AND CASH! (And not necessarily in that order).

We have formed the LEONARD FAMILY HELP FUND to assist them in rebuilding their lives. Please feel free to contribute generously, but most importantly - no amount is too small.

Please make the check payable to:LEONARD FAMILY HELP FUND

Send To:Leonard Family Help fundc/o Jo Winett10716 Esther Ave.Los Angeles, CA 90064

Or you can pay via paypal:leonardfamilyhelpfund@verizon.net

We will be emailing you updates with news and progress. If you have any questions regarding this fund, or would like to help, please feel free to contact us.

On behalf of the Leonard Family and ourselves, we sincerely thank you,

Rana Joy Glickman, Jo Winett and Hillary Bratton

Organizing committee contact info -Rana Joy (323) 960-0080 rana.joy.glickman@shakrahfilms.comJo (310) 234-0268 jowinett@verizon.netHillary (650) 233-3747 hillary@brattyworld.com

Katrina: IAJE - "Tell us about your needs"

Found this on the International Association for Jazz Education forum board for Hurricane Assistance:

IAJE wants everyone who was in the path of hurricane Katrina to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. We truly want to help you recover. We invite musicians and music educators from areas affected by hurricane Katrina to tell IAJE members how we may help you immediately and long term. Please be specific. Give us your name and tell us how we may contact you. Please be aware that our members will want to verify your information before we can assist you. You may also contact IAJE directly by e-mail to info@iaje.org or by calling (785) 776-8744.

Katrina: Americans for the Arts Hurricane Relief

Found this on the International Association for Jazz Education forum board for Hurricane Assistance:

Dear Members and Colleagues,

I know you join with me in expressing grief and concern about the devastation from Hurricane Katrina that has affected our colleagues in the mid-south region. Americans for the Arts staff are working hard to connect with our members in the affected regions and to offer help in any way possible.

We can report that the damage Katrina inflicted on our members in Florida, when it was a much less powerful storm, was relatively minor. Our members there are moving forward with an assessment to determine the damage to other arts organizations in their region. Greater concern is for those in the gulf states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. We are attempting to reach our members there, and we will keep you updated on any information we receive from our state and local partners.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Members we have talked to in the affected regions have expressed a desperate need for information. In response, Americans for the Arts has set up a bulletin board on our website to gather and disseminate information. If you have heard news about how arts organizations, cultural facilities, and artists are faring in the aftermath of the hurricane, please don't hesitate to submit it for inclusion on the bulletin board. If you know of any initiatives to assist the arts, please feel free to share them as well. Eventually, we hope also to share news and ideas about how arts agencies, organizations, and artists are themselves helping to ease the human suffering that has literally engulfed the region.

If you would like to make a contribution, our regional partner, The Southern Arts Federation, has established an Emergency Relief Fund to assist arts organizations and artists residing in those Gulf Coast communities most devastated by Hurricane Katrina. A donation form can be found on our website at

We also recommend that our members consider making a contribution to the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF). CERF's Disaster Relief Fund, interest-free loan programs and staff, are prepared to respond to professional craft artists who have suffered significant losses. To make a contribution to CERF, please visit their website at www.craftemergency.org.

Lastly, we have been in touch with our colleagues at the National Endowment for the Arts and they are preparing a formal statement, which we will post on our website upon its release.

Americans for the Arts is committed to helping those affected by this devastating disaster. We will keep you informed about additional ways in which you can help. If you have any questions regarding our efforts, please contact Mara Walker, chief planning officer, at 202.371.2830 or mwalker@artsusa.org. Sincerely, Robert Lynch President and CEO

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Katrina: Burlington Riverfront Jazz Festival collecting donations to replace instruments

The Burlington Riverfront Jazz Festival in Burlington, New Jersey on Friday and Saturday September 9th & 10th, will be collecting donations for musician and student victims of the Hurricane disaster. We wish to contribute these donations for hurricane relief to help replace instruments and or provide other needs into the hands of deserving students, teachers and performers. You can check out our website at www.burlingtonjazzfest.com or email us at: dtmproject@comcast.net.

Katrina: Irvin Mayfield's Ode to New Orleans

New Orleans trumpeter Irvin Mayfield is in Baton Rouge and has words of encouragement on this NPR Morning Edition sound clip.

Katrina: Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

Cahl's Juke Joint reports an article from 2theadvocate, the newspaper and Channel 2 TV from Baton Rouge, LA about Slidell and mentions Brown's house and his unknown whereabouts.

A house in that stretch owned by blues singer and guitarist Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown also is gone. The only thing there is a couple of cars -- both submerged to the roofs in the bayou. And no one knows whether Brown was at home when Katrina struck.

Katrina: CD Baby and artists donate profits

CD Baby, a Portland Oregon record distributer, states that over 5000 recording artists that they distribute have chosen to donate their ENTIRE wholesale price to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund.

Jazz West and I published a list of known San Francisco bay area jazz artists involved yesterday. If they have missed you from their list, please send them a note at wayne@jazzwest.com.

Katrina: Basin Street Records Artists Reported Safe

Found on Jazz West:

Mark Samuels, President of the New Orleans-based label Basin Street Records, checks in to report that he has heard from all of his artists (not including sidemen) and would like to formally announce their whereabouts and assure jazz fans of their well-being.

In a statement made on Friday, September 2, Samuels said, “This is a truly tragic time for the Crescent City, home to so many of today’s great musicians. Thankfully, all of our Basin Street recording artists have fled New Orleans and are safe, albeit uncertain as to the future of their beloved city so steeped in music. We thank everyone for their well wishes and concern.”

The following Basin Street artists are safe and refugees in the following cities:

· Theresa Anderson, Irvin Mayfield, and Kermit Ruffins are currently in Baton Rouge
· Bill Summers is safe, location unknown
· Jon Cleary is in California
· Dr. Michael White is in Houston
· Henry Butler is in Monroe, LA
· Jason Marsalis is in Japan recording with Marcus Roberts

Samuels added, “Our staff is safe, with the exception of our creative director, Hal Braden, who we have not heard from since Sunday.”

“All of us here at Basin Street are looking forward to being able to return home to start to rebuild the city we love and are so deeply rooted to," said Samuels in an e-mail sent out Friday to jazz journalists around the country.

Katrina: Bay Area Musicians Donate Profits from CDs

Seen on Jazz West, More than two dozen (SanFrancisco) Bay Area jazz musicians have pledged to donate 100% of all profits from CD sales on the CDBaby.com website to the American Cross Disaster Relief Fund:

Suzanne Pittson, Resolution: A Remembrance of John Coltrane
Suzanne Pittson, Blues & the Absolute Truth
Jennifer Lee, J-Walkin'
Don Alberts Trio, Intuition
Cathi Walkup, Living in a Daydream
Cathi Walkup, Playing Favorites
George Brooks, Summit
Kit Walker, Freehouse
Vicki Burns, Siren Song
The Hot Club of San Francisco, Swing This
The Hot Club of San Francisco, Postcards from Gypsyland
Nika Rejto, Midnight Kiss
Ned Boynton, The North Beach Sound
Natasha Miller, Her Life
Natasha Miller, Talk To Me Nice
Susan Getz, Jazz Boxx
Michelle Latimer, Sings & Plays
Stephanie Bruce, April in Dogtown
Sandy Cressman, Brasil-Sempre no Coração
Ernesto Diaz-Infante, s/t
Weber Iago, Each Day's Universe
Sarah Manning, House on Eddy Street
Joyce Kouffman, Who Has Not Been Touched
Jason Myers, Seems Like Old Times
Jason Myers, Cookin' at Houston's
Kristen Strom, Intention

Katrina: Relief fund disclaimer

Just a word about what is going on here. I am dedicating this blog for the forseeable future to list any information I can find regarding the uncertain future of the music community of New Orleans and the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Some of the articles will list Relief funds and benefits. So far, I do not personally know any of these organizations nor do I endorse one over another. I hope they are as reputable as they claim. Some of them sound damn good but I am a skeptic by nature and I examine charities closely before donating money.

That said, I am hoping this blog helps anyone searching for information and/or wishing to contribute some kind of aid.

Katrina: MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund

The MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund has been set up so music people impacted by Hurricane Katrina can get help. Assistance includes basic living expenses such as shelter, food, utilities, transportation; medical expenses including doctor, dentist and hospital bills, medications; clothing; instrument and recording equipment replacement; relocation costs; school supplies for students; insurance payments and more.

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Katrina: Two Organizations helping the musicians in New Orleans

This article talks of 2 organizations helping musicians in New Orleans.

The first is the New Orleans Musicians Clinic (NOMC) which has been operating in conjunction with the Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center.

The New Orleans Musicians' Clinic (NOMC) is an innovative not-for-profit occupational medicine and wellness partnership offering comprehensive health care to our community's most precious resource: our musicians. Our sponsors are the Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans, The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, and the LSU Health Care Network.

The second is the Jazz Foundation of America. They raise funds to help musicians find places to live and now to help replace instruments lost in the New Orleans flood.

Read this article for complete details on both organizations.

Katrina: More on Higher Ground Relief concert

XM Satellite Radio will carry this concert live on their network from coast to coast on channel 70, the Real Jazz channel. Higher Ground will also be broadcast live via radio partner WBGO Jazz88.3FM in the New York City area and offered nationally and internationally via National Public Radio and its 807 member stations in the US, NPR Worldwide, and streamed live on www.npr.org, www.wbgo.org, www.xmradio.com. More broadcast information to follow. The event will be recorded by Jazz at Lincoln Center and a CD will be produced and released by Blue Note Records with all profits going to relief funds.

Bill Cosby will host the concert and Wynton Marsalis Peter Cincotti, Elvis Costello, Paquito D’Rivera, Abbey Lincoln, Diana Krall, Jon Hendricks and more tba.

Read the full story on Jazz News here.

When The Saints Go Marching In

New York City Jazz Community Comes Together to Assist Gulf Region Victims of Hurricane Katrina

New York, NY (September 1, 2005) – In the wake of the worst natural disaster in United States history, New York City’s jazz and blues community is mobilizing to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The list of participants grows by the hour, and other establishments are encouraged to sign on.

WHAT: “WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN:” is a weeklong relief effort beginning September 11, 2005. During this week, participating bars and clubs have agreed to donate portions of their sales to the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund. Information for participating bars/clubs, events and schedules will be continually updated at AllAboutJazz.com.

WHEN: September 11-18, 2005

WHY: Four years ago, the nation united to help New York City in its time of need. Now it is time for us to respond in kind.

Read more on the All About Jazz web site here.

Juan-Carlos Formell and Yoshis to donate proceeds

All proceeds from the Juan-Carlos Formell show at Yoshis on Tuesday September 6 will go towards the American Red Cross for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Katrina stops the music in New Orleans

Here is another Reuters news article about the music industry in New Orleans after the storm.

Katrina: WWOZ New Orleans Roots Radio off the air

WWOZ signed off the air August 27 at midnight and will not be broadcasting until further notice.

Their web site is alive and well and is listing musicians known to be ok.

Anyone wanting to assist them in any way can email them at wwoz@wwoz.org, or post bulletins on their message board.

Katrina: More on Wynton Marsalis' New Orleans benefit plans

Here is another article about plans for hurricane relief jazz concerts organized by Wynton Marsalis and a BET telethon scheduled for September 9.

Here is the web page for the Higher Ground Hurricane Relief concert hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center on september 17.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Katrina: Music industry in disarray after the storm

Here is a Reuters news article about the uncertain future of the vast music industry based in New Orleans, from live venues to independent retailers to the radio business.

Relief concerts have already begun.

Many in the music industry not directly affected by the hurricane set about to assist the victims. Some of the higher-profile efforts included a Sept. 12 Dave Matthews benefit concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver; a Sept. 10 special on MTV, VH1 and CMT; and "A Concert for Hurricane Relief," an hourlong TV special scheduled that aired Friday on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC, featuring Tim McGraw, Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis and others. "Our city will come back, but it will take the entire country," Marsalis said. "When you take New Orleans from America, our soul equation goes down."

Marsalis and special guests will highlight the Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Concert, to take place Sept. 17 at Rose Theater in New York. The event will be recorded by Jazz at Lincoln Center. A CD from the event will be released by Blue Note Records with all profits going to relief funds.

Katrina: News of New Orleans Musicians

Here is a Chicago Tribune story, seen on Music Thing about trumpeter Maurice Brown's escape from New Orleans.

Fats Domino was rescued from the rubble but Allen Toussaint is still listed as missing as is Charles Neville's 3 daughters.