Exclusive – Branford Marsalis: New Orleans remains in crisis

Publication: Larry King Live on CNN.com
Author: Branford Marsalis
Date: August 27, 2010

Editor’s Note: Be sure to watch Harry Connick Jr. on LKL tonight from Musicians Village in New Orleans.  Also, check out the Marsallis Family’s new album, “Music Redeems.”  It benefits the Ellis Marsallis Center for Music.

Five years after Hurricane Katrina struck and decimated my hometown, I am certainly buoyed by the rebuilding successes of a city reinforced with an invincible spirit and proud of the strides we have made through our partnership with New Orleans Habitat and through the contributions of individuals from around the world. I am fiercely disappointed, though, by the inconsistency of the attention paid to this disaster between these anniversaries and the lack of a sustained, long-term approach to the rebuilding our city.

New Orleans remains in crisis.
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Submitted by Ben on August 27th, 2010 — 03:53pm

HCJ and Ellis Marsalis on AC360

In case you missed it, the video of Harry Connick, Jr. and Ellis Marsalis discussing the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in the Musicians’ Village of New Orleans with Anderson Cooper on AC360 last night is now available to be viewed online.

 

Please click here to watch the video.

Submitted by Ben on August 27th, 2010 — 01:57pm

Connick Jr., Marsalis Attend Event In Musicians' Village

Residents Hope For Still More Development Post-Katrina

Publication: WDSU.com
Author: General Release
Date: August 26, 2010

NEW ORLEANS — Musicians’ Village in the Upper 9th Ward was conceived post-Hurricane Katrina to give several generations of musicians and other families a community in which to live and prosper.

On Thursday, nearing the five-year mark since the storm, the milestone was celebrated in an area of the city that’s coming into its own.

The McDonogh 35 Choir helped mark the big moment, along with Harry Connick jr.

An oversized fleur de lis was raised to the top of the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, which is halfway finished.
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Submitted by Ben on August 27th, 2010 — 12:59pm

Harry Connick, Jr., Ellis Marsalis, attend ceremony for 'Center for Music'

Publication: NOLA.com
Author: Times Picayune Staff
Date: August 27, 2010

Musicians Ellis Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr. joined Mayor Mitch Landrieu on Thursday for a topping-off ceremony for the new Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in the Musicians Village.

Completion of the center is expected next year. It will serve as a center for the education and development of musicians.

The 17,800-square-foot Ellis Marsalis Center for Music will have three sections: a performance hall, offices, and a community room.

All 72 single-family homes and five duplexes in Musicians Village were constructed by New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers. The village stands on the site of Kohn Junior High School, which was torn down in the 1990s.

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Submitted by Ben on August 27th, 2010 — 12:21pm

Check your local listings!

As we approach the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, many are taking a moment to reflect on the trials and tribulations of the people of New Orleans and to speak of the challenges they have faced and the victories hard won, their courage and the commitment to a revitalized and renewed Crescent City.

Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis and Ellis Marsalis will add their voices as some of America’s finest journalists retell the tale and look forward to the future.   Check your local listings for the following programs’ coverage commemorating the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina (from the Musicians’ Village):

* Larry King Live – airdate 8/27
#AC360 – airdate either 8/26 or 8/27
ABC Radio – airdate this weekend
E! News – airdate this weekend
*#MSNBC’s Tamron Hall – airdate 8/27
The Today Show – live in the a.m. on 8/27
*#NBC Nightly News w/ Brian Williams – airdate this weekend
Good Morning America – TBA

*Branford
#Ellis

We thank you all for your support these past 5 years.  We are so excited about what we have been able to accomplish with your help.

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Submitted by Ben on August 26th, 2010 — 03:37pm