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Musicians March Silently Through New Orleans

Post-Katrina hard times in the Big Easy threaten legendary jazz scene

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 27, 2007 1:29 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The battered post-Katrina economy drove jazz musicians into the streets of New Orleans yesterday, holding instruments silent at their sides in what they termed a “solidarity march.” Ninety percent of city musicians were living at or below the poverty line even before the hurricane, the Times-Picayune reports, and now competition for remaining spots has bands playing for peanuts.

Government aid would be welcome, whether through subsidizing music venues, employing musicians, or loosening regulations. But the march’s primary aim was to unite the musical community and stop rabid undercutting. “We can march all over the city,” said one musician. "We can march to Washington. But if all the musicians don't work together, it means nothing."

Alana Jones left, leads the Treme Brass Band on a silent second line parade to call attention to the plight of musicians post-Hurricane Katrina, through the French Quarter of New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alana Jones left, leads the Treme Brass Band on a silent second line parade to call attention to the plight of musicians post-Hurricane Katrina, through the French Quarter of New Orleans, Sunday, Aug....   (Associated Press)
With instruments still, musicians and supporters held a silent second line parade through the French Quarter of New Orleans Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
With instruments still, musicians and supporters held a silent second line parade through the French Quarter of New Orleans Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)   (Associated Press)
To call attention to the plight of musicians post-Hurricane Katrina, musicians and supporters held a silent second line parade through the French Quarter of New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
To call attention to the plight of musicians post-Hurricane Katrina, musicians and supporters held a silent second line parade through the French Quarter of New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex...   (Associated Press)
To call attention to the plight of musicians post-Hurricane Katrina, musicians and supporters held a silent second line parade through the French Quarter of New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
To call attention to the plight of musicians post-Hurricane Katrina, musicians and supporters held a silent second line parade through the French Quarter of New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex...   (Associated Press)
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Hard times in the Big Easy

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music • Hurricane Katrina • New Orleans • jazz • musician • solidarity march • Katrina aftermath

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