National Jazz Day 2020: New Orleans Jazz, Jazz Festing in Place and how you can help local musicians
Written by Zackary Roth
On April 30th every year, jazz is celebrated all across the world for its place as an essential part of music, along with the genre-breaking artists that make jazz what it is today. Since today celebrates a genre of music New Orleans is heavily know for, with us having some of the jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, The Neville Brothers, Trombone Shorty, and much more, we wanted to share some info about Jazz Festing in Place and give you some local organizations that are helping our musicians during these difficult time.
What is Jazz Festing in Place & Schedule
With New Orleans Jazzfest being canceled for the first time in 50 years due to coronavirus, the WWOZ Jazzfest broadcast has turned into Jazz Festing in Place. This broadcast is a selection of some of Jazzfest’s best performances throughout the festival’s history. Legendary performances from musicians such as Herbie Hancock, the Neville Brothers, and Big Freedia, Trombone Shorty, and much more can all be heard starting today, with this being the second weekend for broadcasts. You can tune into the broadcast on 90.7 FM or at https://www.wwoz.org /listen/player/.
New Orleans Brass Band Musicians Relief Fund
Local Organizations that are helping NOLA Musicians
New Orleans Music Clinic
The New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic has provided medical care to musicians and performing artists in New Orleans for more than 21 years. They offer occupational and comprehensive health services for musicians, performers, cultural workers and tradition bearers of New Orleans (Mardi Gras Indians, Social Aid & Pleasure Club Members). They serve any patient over the age of 19 and their family, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The NOMC also accepts private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.
Culture Aid Nola
CAN’s priority is assisting culture and hospitality workers who may not meet the requirements of other aid programs, such as waiters, bartenders, dishwashers, tour guides, street performers, musicians and artists during the COVID-19 crises. Participants will be directed to sign up via form on the CAN website (www.cultureaidnola.org) and will receive an email telling them when and where to pick up their meal kits. Meal kit items will vary week to week, but will usually include protein, produce, and grain based items.Â
New Orleans Brass Band Musicians Relief Fund
The New Orleans Brass Band Musicians Relief Fund fills the financial gap left by cancelled gigs to support New Orleans’ brass band musicians, their families, and the tradition they carry during the COVID-19 crisis. The fund is organized by the Save Our Brass Culture Foundation and funds are distributed by Seth Bailin, the program administrator for this fund. 100% of the funds go directly into the hands of New Orleans brass band musicians, so they can cover their basic expenses during this time. Â
The New Orleans Business Alliance
As a result of the anticipated local economic impact of COVID-19, the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) is standing up a relief fund to meet the needs of gig economy workers who have been directly impacted via loss of income. In New Orleans, many of our gig-workers depend on the cultural calendar for reliable income. With the cancellations and postponements of many large local events on the horizon, this community stands to lose out on millions of dollars of potential income, directly impacting their livelihoods and family well-being. This relief fund is being set up to ensure that these critical members of our community continue to be active participants in our economy, with an economic outlook they can depend on.Â
