The Heart of the Big Easy

Many New Orleans musicians lived in the neighborhoods hit the worst by Katrina. Famous jazz and blues musician Antoine "Fats" Domino lived in the working class neighborhoods of the lower ninth ward. Some homes in the lower ninth sit half a block from their foundation. With the evacuation of these areas, New Orleans lost some of its young local talent who would be in charge of continuing the rich musical heritage of the city. \nThere is hope rising up from the debris. New Orleans is a strong city with a deep pride in the culture it has given the world. The desire to rebuild and preserve the soul of the city can be felt from the old community of 'Storyville,' where many suggest Jazz was born, to the historic neighborhoods Uptown. \nDomino was rescued from his roof by a helicopter just across the industrial canal from Habitat for Humanity's "Musician's Village," in the upper ninth ward. Local artists Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis conceived the idea. They have helped fund the project in hopes to preserve the music that has famously poured out of this area. Eighty-one raised row homes are being constructed. The goal is to provide housing for the musicians that want to return home. After all music is the soul of 'the city that care forgot.' \nA major drive in the rebuilding process has been the preservation of the cultures in New Orleans. From the history of the cajun and creole populations, to the music, food and unique celebrations, New Orleans is a cultural gumbo with a little something for everybody. \nWhile spending a day building homes with Habitat for Humanity I met Adam Crochet, a local blues guitarist who has come back to the city to live in Musicians Village. The program requires the new homeowner put in 300 hours of work on site; so I spent the day alongside Crochet putting down a foundation in 95 degrees New Orleans heat. I listened to his story and learned more about the 'village' he will soon call home. \nNot only does the project provide an opportunity for musicians to move back, a community center will be constructed allowing musicians an opportunity to pass down their talents to the next generation of New Orleans artists. The center will be equipped with a state of the art recording studio and practice rooms for the youths in the area. \nAs the sun started to come down, I sat back with Crochet and admired the day's work. He said, "I am very appreciative how the city has supported the musicians, but I worry about the teachers who have been forced to move ... they don't have a neighborhood." Crochet said, "You cannot rebuild without teachers, education must be the heart of the city"