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Band on the run in New Orleans
Police have cracked down on funeral processions, a time-honored cultural tradition in the historic black neighborhood of Treme. But musicians vow to play on.
By Larry Blumenfeld [2007-10-29]

  • Bands On the Run

    As many have already noted, the New Orleans of post Katrina is a much different place

    than before for many reasons. One such difference is the quality of new residents who

    are buying up property in historic areas such as Treme, the Marigny, and the French

    Quarter. These mostly wealthy people are using their clout with the City Council and

    other authorities to change the culture of New Orleans to conform to an image that had

    never existed. One does not choose to live in the above mentioned neighborhoods for

    goodie-two-shoes peace and quiet. The suburbs were created for that. What is so

    outrageous about these new "residents" is their insistance on forcing long-existing

    cultures to cease doing the very things that make New Orleans the distinctive and rich

    city it is famous for being. I am a vocalist who has enjoyed the friendship and support

    of many local musicians. The only true American art form, Jazz, began and florished

    here. Particularly the musical life of the Treme has been the life's blood of that time-

    honored tradition. As a bonafied, real, and devoted resident of New Orleans, I resent

    the treatment of the Treme musicians by the police department.

    Some of these so-called "residents" have organized into groups with names like "Citizens

    For the Quality of Life in the French Quarter" or "Residents for 'the PRESERVATION' of

    Quality of Life" and so on. While the musicians of New Orleans have returned to try to

    resume their rich cultural lives, facing daunting financial and emotional odds, and

    having lost most or all of their personal possessions continue to CONTRIBUTE to the

    city, the "Concerned Citizens" have contributed NOTHING. Countless clubs and venues

    for musicians to play and earn a decent living have been prohibited from having live

    music by these "concerned residents". They moved to New Orleans because it would be

    "fun", but now want to change the culture to fit their own petty needs. Who could be

    so stupid to buy a con-do in the 400 block of Bourbon Street and complain about the

    "quality of life"? My neighborhood, the Marigny Triangle, has many bars and clubs.

    The main area is Frenchman Street. Would I rent or buy property on the 600 block

    of Frenchman and begin a campaign to shut down the excellent music venues there?

    A rational person moves to a particular place BECAUSE of its ambience, not IN SPITE

    of it.

    We, the musicians, have become victims because we are not organized and do not have

    inside access to the City Council. Until we correct that situation, the "concerned citizens"

    will continue to destroy our culture.

    -- donaldmaddog
    [Read donaldmaddog's other letters]
    Monday, October 29, 2007 05:35 AM
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