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Edna Karr students with new instruments. Photo by Sheri McKee.
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Instruments Have Come to 28 New Orleans Area School Music Programs
The Tipitina's Foundation is proud to announce another half million dollars worth of donated instruments to 28 New Orleans area school music programs this year. The Instruments A Comin' program is dedicated to providing instruments to the next generation of New Orleans musicians. To date the Instruments A Comin Program has purchased over 1.8 million dollars worth of new instruments for 50 schools.
Read about the program in the Times Picayune: from August 16, 2008, Keith Spera's article on Instruments A Comin' (75 KB PDF), and from August 21, 2008 Photo coverage of the Instruments Have Come event (1.6 MB PDF).
> > Music royalty comes together to pay tribute to Fats Domino on new cd: Goin' Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino
The New Orleans Traveling Road Show
From August 24th through September 1st, The New Orleans All Star Jam-baylaya, provided outsiders with an authentic down south treat loaded with purpose.
The Jam-baylaya's ultimate aim, snaking its way from the Democratic National Convention in Denver all the way to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis was to unite the country, despite party lines, in a common goal and understanding that there is still a great need to continue rebuilding the gulf coast, specifically the ever diminishing wetlands that naturally protect the state, its people and wildlife.
"This country can't survive without Louisiana," said Tab Beniot, a message he repeated at every stop, including Aspen and Jackson Hole, which were book ended by the two conventions.
"The Sunday night show at the Fillmore (during the DNC) will unite musicians who share a home city but have never shared a stage," said Bill Taylor, with The Tipitina's Foundation. (Quoted from The Denver Post 8/23/08, Jason Blevins)
Unite it did. This phenomenal collection of New Orleans' music royalty featured Irma Thomas, Marva Wright, Marcia Ball, Cyril Neville, and The Voice of the Wetlands All Stars lead by Tab Benoit, George Porter Jr., Cyril Neville, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Johnny Vidacovich, Anders Osborne, Waylon Thibodeaux, and Johnny Sansone. Also featuring, a rare performance by members of the Original Funky Meters - George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste, and Leo Nocentelli - with Special Guests John Oats, John "JoJo" Herman, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, and Henry Butler.Special guests The New Orleans Brass All-Stars featuring Donald Harrison Jr. with Troy "Trombone" Shorty, Kirk Joseph, James Andrews and Big Sam.Also starring The Soul Rebels Brass Band, Lauren Barrett, and Mary McBride with an opening performance from The Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians. (Show line-ups varied at each performance.)
The trip not only showcased the mature and developed talent of veteran musicians like Marcia Ball and Henry Butler, it also exposed New Olreans' budding musicians. T.I.P., The Tipitina's Foundation's Internship Program, produces an array of irreplaceable young talent that goes on to unparalleled careers as professional adults. Mentored by the exceptional Donald Harrison Jr., the interns are given the skills, education and opportunities that most aspiring musicians can only dream of. A select few were brought aboard this traveling road show to represent the most important part of New Orleans': its future.
From Denver to Minnesota the troupe stopped in Aspen, where the Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians paraded through town in the early afternoon, to the delight of surprised locals. Aspen took the bait, and that night the Belly Up was packed with lovers of all things New Orleans. Donald Harrison and the T.I.P. interns started the night off with a sense of purpose and possibilities, heightened by the presence of the young musicians on stage. Benoit again stressed the importance of Louisiana's musical culture's and costal preservation in-between songs and cheers brought on by The Voice of the Wetlands All Stars. Three of the original Meters; Leo Nocentelli, George Porter Jr, and Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste performed the closing set joined by JoJo Herman of Widespread Panic, Aspen-local John Oates of Hall and Oates, and the rest of the traveling show; Big Sam of the Funky Nation, James Andrews, Anders Osborne, Mr. Henry Butler, just to name a few.
Friday the 29th marked the 3-year anniversary of Katrina bringing the show to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Here the musicians planned to celebrate their home state all the while remembering the past, and looking to a brighter, more informed future. With Hurricane Gustav on its way to the Crescent City, the past weighed heavy on the minds of those far from home. The tide may have been rising, but this magical cast of characters channeled those emotions and memories into the music they brought down on the audience.
"Being able to have a forum because of the music is incredible," Benoit says. "When I made a decision to do this, I told myself it has to be for a bigger reason. It has to be something that I can do to help. I asked myself, 'How can I help the most people in the time I am allowed?' and music seemed to be that way. All I really want out of life is to make the world a little bit better than the day I was born and the Voice of the Wetlands is a way to do that."
The show came to a halt in Minneapolis, but not before kicking off the Republican National Convention. The issues of the rebuilding efforts were discussed once again between the sweet sounds of that Louisiana spirit. There is something undeniably American and poetic about this region of the country. Something that eludes definition, but defines who we are as a nation. In a time of heightened environmental and cultural awareness paired with a divided government, that spirit has a hard time being realized.
Through the universal language that is music, the New Orleans Traveling Road Show united their audiences, and promoted cultural awareness and admiration for their home state, Louisiana.
>> Tipitina's Foundation financial statement for 2007 (PDF)
>> Tipitina's Foundation financial statement for 2006 (PDF)
An annual benefit to purchase instruments for New Orleans public schools.
