Regina O'Numb
War Child
"29.10.2006
Wherever there is live music playing you will see an outpouring of hope...
While watching the fallout following Pope Benedicts recent controversial speech it struck me that the world's most precious and increasingly rare form of real estate, suffering erosion at a pace even more startling then the Arctic ice cap, is our old friend common ground.
Sadly this seems to be particularly true of the city of New Orleans where a lack of a common purpose and political consensus has hampered the rebuilding of certain areas of the city, notably the lower ninth ward. When it comes to the lower ninth what you see definitely depends on where you stand.
If you are a member of the New Orleans police force the lower ninth ward has always been a trouble spot.
If you are in government it has historically been an economically challenged area with one of the worst levels of unemployment.
If you are part of the army corps of engineers working on rebuilding the Levy system it is a low lying area that will always be vulnerable to flooding.
If, however, you love music the lower ninth ward was one of the areas of New Orleans with the richest musical heritage, supporting countless musicians and musical traditions going back centuries.
On a recent trip to the famous Jazz Fest I was reminded just how rich and vibrant the local music scene is. It's all there, the various combinations of African syncopated rhythms and European melody; Jazz, Gospel, R'nB, Zydeco and Rock and Roll, all still evident here in their original form before anyone decided that they were distinct genres, giving credence to the idea that America's greatest contribution to world culture first came together on the streets of New Orleans when the African funeral procession drummers mixed it up with the hymn singers of the Christian funeral service.
In New Orleans today the importance of their music culture is one thing that everybody can agree on.
Everyone accepts that it is unique to the area, the heart and soul of the city, and that since much of the know-how to make this music gets passed on within the extended families, churches, and social clubs of areas like the lower ninth ward, that to allow these areas to lag behind in the rebuliding process risks the the loss of this precious musical heritage forever.
Everyone in New Orleans wants to see this music culture preserved even if the more fundamental issues of how and when the various quarters of the city should be rebuilt is the subject of much heated debate.
Everyone understands that live music brings a huge economic benefit to the city and bringing it back makes economic sense, but translating that aspiration into a practical strategy remains elusive.
Music Rising has achieved an incredible level of local support because it focusses exclusively on rescuing the music culture of the region.
More than just being a catalyst for hope we believe that music can become the sound track and the clarion call to rebuild the entire city, not just the areas that the property market dictates.
Wherever there is live music playing you will see an outpouring of hope and optimism for the future, in it's absence there is uncertainty and despondency.
When considering the restoration plan from a music culture perspective all socio-economic divisions evaporate.
Music is color-blind and totally egalitarian. The restoration of the lower ninth becomes a priority. Not just because it ought to be but because it deserves to be.
Support for Music Rising is support for the restoration of the music culture of the Gulf Coast, is support for the restoration of New Orleans along fair and equitable lines.
The Music Rising partners all believe that music has always bound New Orleans together, and if it is allowed to can lead the city forward to a better future.
The Edge.
http://www.u2.com/bloglite.php?id=1&pg_id=1
http://www.musicrising.org/
Wherever there is live music playing you will see an outpouring of hope...
While watching the fallout following Pope Benedicts recent controversial speech it struck me that the world's most precious and increasingly rare form of real estate, suffering erosion at a pace even more startling then the Arctic ice cap, is our old friend common ground.
Sadly this seems to be particularly true of the city of New Orleans where a lack of a common purpose and political consensus has hampered the rebuilding of certain areas of the city, notably the lower ninth ward. When it comes to the lower ninth what you see definitely depends on where you stand.
If you are a member of the New Orleans police force the lower ninth ward has always been a trouble spot.
If you are in government it has historically been an economically challenged area with one of the worst levels of unemployment.
If you are part of the army corps of engineers working on rebuilding the Levy system it is a low lying area that will always be vulnerable to flooding.
If, however, you love music the lower ninth ward was one of the areas of New Orleans with the richest musical heritage, supporting countless musicians and musical traditions going back centuries.
On a recent trip to the famous Jazz Fest I was reminded just how rich and vibrant the local music scene is. It's all there, the various combinations of African syncopated rhythms and European melody; Jazz, Gospel, R'nB, Zydeco and Rock and Roll, all still evident here in their original form before anyone decided that they were distinct genres, giving credence to the idea that America's greatest contribution to world culture first came together on the streets of New Orleans when the African funeral procession drummers mixed it up with the hymn singers of the Christian funeral service.
In New Orleans today the importance of their music culture is one thing that everybody can agree on.
Everyone accepts that it is unique to the area, the heart and soul of the city, and that since much of the know-how to make this music gets passed on within the extended families, churches, and social clubs of areas like the lower ninth ward, that to allow these areas to lag behind in the rebuliding process risks the the loss of this precious musical heritage forever.
Everyone in New Orleans wants to see this music culture preserved even if the more fundamental issues of how and when the various quarters of the city should be rebuilt is the subject of much heated debate.
Everyone understands that live music brings a huge economic benefit to the city and bringing it back makes economic sense, but translating that aspiration into a practical strategy remains elusive.
Music Rising has achieved an incredible level of local support because it focusses exclusively on rescuing the music culture of the region.
More than just being a catalyst for hope we believe that music can become the sound track and the clarion call to rebuild the entire city, not just the areas that the property market dictates.
Wherever there is live music playing you will see an outpouring of hope and optimism for the future, in it's absence there is uncertainty and despondency.
When considering the restoration plan from a music culture perspective all socio-economic divisions evaporate.
Music is color-blind and totally egalitarian. The restoration of the lower ninth becomes a priority. Not just because it ought to be but because it deserves to be.
Support for Music Rising is support for the restoration of the music culture of the Gulf Coast, is support for the restoration of New Orleans along fair and equitable lines.
The Music Rising partners all believe that music has always bound New Orleans together, and if it is allowed to can lead the city forward to a better future.
The Edge.
http://www.u2.com/bloglite.php?id=1&pg_id=1
http://www.musicrising.org/
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