Artists stand up to stick up for music

6th October 2014   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

The acronym MACCNO might seem like pre approved personal loans online alphabet soup of letters yet the purpose of the Music & Culture Coalition of New Orleans couldn’t be clearer. It exists so that musicians and those in the music business can collectively represent themselves when faced with restrictions as to where and when they can create their art.

New Orleans vocalist and composer John Boutte, who will be among a luminary list of musicians performing at a fundraiser for and in celebration of the second anniversary of the MACCNO on Monday, October 13, at Café Istanbul, put it even more succinctly.

“Everybody has to have a voice at the table,” Boutte declares adamantly. “It (the organization) is basically sticking up for the music and the musicians. Anybody who is trying to stifle music, man, there’s something inherently wrong with that. In my self fast cash advance pay day loan interest, it is also putting a lid on my livelihood.”

The attack on live music has been achingly long, pervasive and ongoing. It dates back decades and has led to the elimination of music clubs throughout the city – think places like Donna’s Bar & Grill, the Funky Butt, Little People’s Place and so many, many more. There was even a move to take brass bands, including the legendary Tuba Fats, out of Jackson Square and later the young, To Be Continued (TBC) off the corner of Canal and Bourbon Streets. Recently, Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant, which has been operational at the corner of Esplanade Avenue and Burgundy Street since 1939 and has long presented live music, is struggling to keep the music alive.

After a particularly strong onslaught on the music several years ago, Kermit Ruffins called a meeting instant cash advance holland michigan at his then Kermit’s Tremé Speakeasy to gather and unite folks in the music community for a common cause. That effort became the birth of the MACCNO.

The list of incredible performers at Monday night’s fundraiser at Café Istanbul, a venue that has gained a great reputation for being there for important community events, speaks of the strong support for the organization. It’s an all-star list that includes drummers Herlin Riley and Stanton Moore, bassists James Singleton and Roland Guerin, percussion­ist/vocalist Cyril Neville, fretmen Carl LeBlanc and Detroit Brooks, saxophonist Red Morgan, trombonist/vocalist Glen David Andrews and vocalist Charmaine Neville. Are you kidding? All in one night?

Chuck Perkins, who Boutte describes as a “guerrilla organizer” and who identifies himself as Café Istanbul’s co-owner, booking agent, janitor, or anything else that is required, has put it all together. He promises that, payday loan lees summit mo as he’s done so successfully for events in the past, it will flow organically. “I never say no to nobody,” he declares of the venue’s open attitude.

The music begins at 8 p.m. and admission is a low $10.

Gentilly Fest – Celebrating Everything Gentilly

Considering all of the free music festivals and events in New Orleans, it makes one wonder if any other city can boast of such a rich, welcoming presentation of music. It’s hard to imagine but if there is, it sounds like a good place to visit.

Because of our climate, these activities happen almost year-round. Throw in the Sunday afternoon anniversary parades presented by the city’s social aid and pleasure clubs and Mardi Gras, pronounced the biggest free party in the United States, and New Orleanians are blessed with entertainment opportunities.

This week, the Gentilly Fest is thrown into the mix of possibilities. Held from Friday, October 1,0 through Sunday, October 12, at the Ponchartrain Park Playground, Press Drive and Prentiss Avenue, this festival celebrates “all things Gentilly.” It truly has the feel of the neighborhood from those who attend – a place where “everybody knows your name” – to the music it presents.

The free festival opens up elegantly with vocalist Stephanie Jordan, a sophisticated yet very soulful songstress with a passion for well-loved standards and Sarah Vaughn. Jordan, the daughter of the great saxophonist/educator Kid Jordan and sister of trumpeter Marlon and flautist Kent Jordan, comes onstage at twilight time, 6:30 p.m. Her appearance should offer a relaxing, even romantic, start to the weekend that presents a mix of New Orleans favorites like the always enthusiastic top 14225 cash advance trumpeter/vocalist Kermit Ruffins (Sat., 6:15 p.m.) and the Brass-A-Holics (Sun., 5:30 p.m.).

The Gospel Tent with tremendous vocalists like the Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Choir and the Kid’s Tent are staples of the Gentilly Fest, a community minded event that raises funds for first responders – police, fireman, EMTs – music education for kids and this year is focusing on raising funds for the Ponchartrain Park and Milne playgrounds.

In some ways, the Gentilly Fest is the equivalent in its neighborhood vibe to that of Tremé’s Jazz in the Park music series, which this Thursday presents pianist Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Both celebrate their unique spirit and contributions to the whole of New Orleans.

This article originally published in the October 6, 2014 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.