New Orleans music - A national treasure

Jazz Fest brings some amazing acts to town, which results in a lot of spur-of-the-moment jam sessions.  Like the one that John Mayer describes in this great article (in which he says he likes Jazz Fest precisely because he can stretch out and be a musician rather than a 'pop star').  Back when the Talking Heads were still together I remember seeing David Byrne standing among the throngs at Tips checking out a local band.  And that was just on some random weekend, not during Jazz Fest.

Anyway, Jazz Fest 2007 is officially over and so all of the out-of-town musicians have left.  But that hasn't diminished the output of great music here one iota.  New Orleans is always overflowing with great musicians.  Hell, a lot of them perform on street corners.  Dan Baum's post about Loose Marbles gives the background on a group that I've often run into while strolling in the French Quarter. 

Stumbling across bands like Loose Marbles is one reason I'd find it hard to ever leave New Orleans.  Dan Baum also has a great post about the O. Perry Walker Band Trip, which provides an inspiring peek into how we produce our great musicians. New Orleans may not be at the forefront of business and industry. But it's the premier breeding ground for every form of jazz music, and has been for a very long time. 

Even colossal disasters can't take that away from us.

Comments

[Robin Capper]

Hi Ernie, Pity didn't get the chance to meet you but lost a bit of time thanks to disrupted travel (Texas storms) so an already tight schedule was compressed further. Did get a chance to go to one day of Jazz Fest (first Friday) and enjoy the French Quarter + see a little of the surrounding countryside. I really enjoyed the music, food, culture and met some nice people in my wanders but it was sad to see the legacy of Katrina.

Have some photos on-line if you're interested:http://rcd.typepad.com/photos/travel_2007_new_orle/index.html

[Marco]

A friend in Covington saw him checking out Malavoi a few years back in Lafayette.

[Lee Barrett]

Great post, it is a shame to see how easily we let our musical heritage die. In Ft Worth, the Caravan of Dreams, where SRV and so many other greats once played has now become just another eatery. Dallas' Deep Ellum, a musical hub since the end of teh Civil War, is likely expelling its last death rattle now. You guys hold on to what you have down there...