An amalgam created from the words “harmonious,” “harmonica” and “manouche.”
‘Jazz Manouche’ is French for Gypsy Jazz.
New Orleans Gypsy Trad Jazz band Harmonouche, is a three year-old quartet and new addition to the local music scene. Harmonouche is quickly experiencing strong interest amongst music lovers, dancers, newlyweds and the curious, for its fun, fresh and creative interpretations. Their music is loaded with charisma, world class musicianship and a good dose of humor. The band delivers a unique sound orchestrated with jazz guitar, diatonic harmonica, singing, whistling and lip trumpeting (Raphaël Bas), accordion and piano (Bart Ramsey), clarinet (Chris Kohl) and stand up bass (Tim Paco).
Their genuine and energizing performances are nourished by the chemistry of these four established musicians – with a mix of unusual influences, a variety of styles and musical backgrounds. From Jazz Manouche, Tzigane, Swing, Blues, French Musette, Latin and World Music to Traditional Jazz, Harmonouche finds its own energy and balance to provide an exciting musical experience.
Harmonouche’s philosophy and vocation is to reach out, share, and captivate an audience with melodious beautiful ballads or fast tempo numbers with fiery themes and improvisations. During performances, musical boundaries are pushed to explore innovative musical grounds – inviting the audience to enjoy, feel good and be inspired by the journey.
Harmonouche was originated by Raphaël Bas, a French guitarist who migrated to the U.S. some twenty years ago and moved to New Orleans permanently three months before Hurricane Katrina. He stayed to help rebuild his new beloved city and to pursue his musical career. Over the years, Raphaël studied and developed unique techniques, combining guitar and diatonic harmonica on the rack, giving this popular – yet not so well known instrument – its full entity amongst more traditional instruments in Jazz ensembles. The result brought the ‘ten hole harp’ into that style, and away from straight Blues and Pop.
Growing up in France, Raphaël was largely exposed and influenced by master guitarist Django Reinhardt and Jazz Manouche music in general. Raphael’s own interpretation of this genre performed on guitar and harmonica, in tandem, creates unique combinations and a rich mixture of sounds.
When Harmonouche was formed, Raphaël invited talented, established New Orleans musicians to join the group. Harmonouche has performed at French Quarter Festival, Satchmo Fest, the Christmas New Orleans Style concert series, WWL-TV’s morning show, as well as established weekly shows around town such as Three Muses on Frenchmen Street and Bacchanal in the Bywater, to name a few.
Chris Kohl (clarinet) is known for his virtuosity, trademark sound and versatility, as well as his understanding and interpretations of all sorts of music. His creative aptitude and sensitive musical approach brings the band a surprising lift. His tasteful, spontaneous and fiery improvisation captivates audiences and brings any song to the next level. A well-established and respected musician for many years, Chris is co-founder of the Hot Club of New Orleans.
Bart Ramsey (accordion, piano, vocals) is the newest addition to Harmonouche. He is no stranger to Raphaël’s repertoire and style, having worked together over the last eight years on numerous projects. From their first collaboration and contribution to a fundraising CD (“From the Lone Star to the Gulf Coast”, Rabadash Records, 2005) to help local musicians who were victims of Katrina rebuild their lives, to the co-founding of the award-winning New Orleans band Vavavoom, Bart and Raphaël share an intimate musical complicity and connivance. Besides being an exceptional seasoned musician, Bart is also a renowned songwriter and leads his own band, Zazou City.
Tim Paco (stand up bass, tuba, sousaphone and ukulele) is an active, multi-instrumentalist well known in the region for having played with exceptionally large numbers of significant local and national performers including Pete Fountain, Warren Batiste and Tim Laughlin to name a few. Tim’s experience and thorough musical knowledge brings a solid rhythm support. And when it comes to solos, Tim knows how to make his instrument “sing” with dexterity, intuition and exceptional flair. Tim recently co- founded his own Hawaiian band, ‘The Royal and Dumaine Hawaiians’.
Harmonouche’s first CD was released in early 2011 and was partially funded by the Louisiana Economy and Cultural Foundation. Described by OffBeat Magazine as “an enjoyable bit of ensemble jazz from some fine New Orleans musicians,“ this album is often played on local radio stations. It also caught the interest of the renowned record label Putumayo, who has included the song ‘Confessin’ on their 2013 compilation release “Vintage France”.
Harmonouche plans to record a new album for release in Fall 2013.
“In French it’s said, ‘il est très bon,’ in Americanese simply, ‘he’s VERY good.” -Jack Fine
“Raphaël Bas mixes European and New Orleans musical traditions, playing
guitar and harmonica, and ends up with an unique Gypsy Gumbo!” – John Rankin
“Gypsy guitar and blues harmonica – a nice combination that places Raphaël in a class of his own.” -Don Vappie
“Raphaël Bas is one of the most innovative and imaginative of New Orleans jazz artists and his new release Harmonouche is filled with his creative genius and joy.”
- Jelly Roll Justice, WWOZ New Orleans
The premiere American Jazz Festival dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans’ native son, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, will take place August 3 – 5 at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint. This weekend-long celebration will feature traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, and brass bands comprised of New Orleans’ most talented musicians.
Live, Local Music, Free Dance Lessons, and Indoor Family Activities
Satchmo SummerFest 2012 music lineup includes Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, Preservation Hall-Stars, Yoshio Toyama and the Dixie Saints, Leroy Jones and New Orleans’ Finest, Treme Funktet featuring Corey Henry and Travis Hill, Don Vappie & The Creole Jazz Serenaders, Wendell Brunious, The Original Pinnettes Brass Band, The New Orleans Moonshiners, and many more.
Between musical sets, dancers of all levels can take lessons from New Orleans’ well-known dance teachers at the Cornet Chop Suey Stage Saturday and Sunday of the festival. Swing and Charleston dance lessons are open and free to the public and are taught and sponsored by NOLA Jitterbugs.
Throughout the day, children and parents can relax indoors on the second floor of the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint with an array of educational, entertaining children’s activities, “Satchmo on Film” for kids, and exhibits. The “Satchmo for Kids’” area features a variety of activities for kids to enjoy including a Satchmo collage project, a second-line umbrella creation station, coconut decorating with the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club’s “Junior Zulus,” and the Jazz National Historic Park’s Junior Rangers program.
While inside, visitors can also enjoy the Louisiana State Museum’s exhibit, “Preservation Hall at 50.” The exhibit is a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Preservation Hall through artifacts, photographs, posters, handbills, flyers, newspaper articles, phonograph records, film and audio clips, interviews, and oral histories. In addition, items from the museum’s jazz collection are on display, including Louis Armstrong’s first cornet. The exhibit and children’s area are free and open to the public during the festival weekend.
Satchmo SummerFest hosts diverse and exciting offerings from great New Orleans restaurants and welcomes new additions to the festival menu options. This year, the festival introduces Lakeside Harbor and Mona’s Café to Red Bean Alley, and welcomes back Plum Street SnoBalls and Cool Fruit Sensations and their refreshing fresh squeezed juices and teas with the option to add Absolut Vodka or Avion Tequila to any drink. The festival also debuts Avion Frozen Margaritas, Lipton Green Tea, and Gatorade at the beverage booths.
Special Events
In addition to a weekend full of great music, food, seminars, movies, and children’s activities, Satchmo SummerFest features an array of special events including the annual Jazz Mass at the historic St. Augustine Church in Treme, a traditional second line parade, and the annual ‘Trumpet Tribute’ which closes the festival Sunday night with a Satchmo birthday party.
A complete list of the music schedule, special events, and festival menus are attached below or visit the Satchmo SummerFest website at www.satchmosummerfest.com for more information.
About French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Satchmo SummerFest is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (www.fqfi.org), the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces French Quarter Festival in April and Christmas New Orleans Style! in December. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
Satchmo SummerFest 2012 – Music Schedule
Please note: In partnership with NOLA Jitterbugs, FREE dance lessons will be offered on Saturday and Sunday during Satchmo SummerFest (see schedule for details). Fun for novices and experienced dancers! All dance lessons will take place at the Old U.S. Mint at the Cornet Chop Suey Stage.
Saturday, August 4th
Red Beans & Ricely Yours Stage presented by WWLTV
12:00-1:00 Jesse McBride Presents the Next Generation
1:15-2:15 Lars Edegran’s Ragtime Orchestra featuring Lionel Ferbos
2:30-3:30 Treme Brass Band
3:45-4:45 Yoshio Toyama & the Dixie Saints
5:00-6:15 Preservation Hall-Stars
6:30-8:00 Treme Funktet featuring Corey Henry and Travis Hill
Cornet Chop Suey Stage presented by OffBeat
11:40-12:00 Dance Lessons
12:00-1:00 Connie Jones and the Crescent City All Stars
1:15-2:15 Harmonouche featuring Norbert Slama
2:15 -2:45 Dance Lessons
2:45-3:45 The New Orleans Moonshiners
4:00-5:00 Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra
5:15-6:30 Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr. and the Wild Magnolias
6:45-8:00 Stooges Brass Band
Sunday August 5th
Red Beans & Ricely Yours Stage presented by WWLTV
12:00-1:00 Clive Wilson’s Satchmo Serenade
1:15-2:15 Palmetto Bug Stompers
2:30-3:30 New Birth Brass Band
3:45-4:45 Leroy Jones and New Orleans’ Finest
5:00-6:15 Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony
6:30-7:30 Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers
7:30-8:00 Trumpet Tribute to Louis Armstrong (with Kermit Ruffins)
Cornet Chop Suey Stage presented by OffBeat
12:00-1:00 Paulin Brothers Brass Band
1:15-2:15 Kid Merv and All that Jazz
2:15-2:45 Dance Lessons
2:45-3:45 Don Vappie & The Creole Jazz Serenaders
4:00-5:00 The Ritz-Carlton presents Jeremy Davenport
5:00-5:30 Dance Lessons
5:30-6:30 Wendell Brunious
6:45-7:45 The Original Pinnettes Brass Band
Thursday, August 2nd
The Hotel Monteleone
$65 per person
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Opening Reception
7:00 p.m. – Keynote Conversation with Michael Cogswell
Keynote Conversation –“Our Love is Here to Stay”: Louis Armstrong through the Centuries. Today, Louis Armstrong is properly revered as an American Cultural icon. Satchmo SummerFest, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and the Louis Armstrong House Museum are merely three indicators of this reverence. But it wasn’t always so. In this keynote address, Michael Cogswell, Director of the Louis Armstrong House Museum in New York City, explores perceptions of Armstrong throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The address includes rare and unique images and recordings from the Museum’s collections.
Friday, August 3rd
Armstrong Park Birthday Party
10 a.m. – Armstrong Park is located on Rampart Street at St. Ann
Celebrate the 111th anniversary of the birth of New Orleans’ native son, Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong. The event will take place at the foot of the Armstrong Statue in Armstrong Park. Enter at the St. Ann gate on North Rampart Street. Enjoy cake and refreshments. This event is free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 4th and Sunday, August 5th
Free Dance Lessons at Satchmo SummerFest!
Dance lessons for all ages will take place in between sets, Saturday and Sunday, at the Cornet Chop Suey Stage during Satchmo SummerFest. They are fun to participate in, or just observe! Dance lessons are sponsored by nolajitterbugs.com and are taught by NOLA Jitterbugs. Festival goers will learn how to swing and the Charleston.
Sunday, August 5th
Jazz Mass at St. Augustine Church, followed by traditional second line parade
10 a.m. – St. Augustine Church is located at 1210 Gov. Nicholls Street in Treme
Arrive early! Standing room only event
Celebrate the 12th annual Satchmo SummerFest, featuring the Treme Brass Band – a unique Sunday morning music ministry at the church of Sidney Bechet. At 11:30 a.m., following mass, join the ‘Satchmo Salute’ Second Line Parade featuring Grand Marshall Boe Monkey Red, Jennifer Jones, Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Million Dollar Baby Dolls, Dumaine Street Gang, Sudan Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Undefeated Divas, TBC (To Be Continued) Brass Band, Baby Boyz Brass Band, and more. Sponsored by Rhodes Funeral Home.
Trumpet Tribute and Birthday Party featuring Kermit Ruffins
7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Closeout the celebration with a song of Happy Birthday to jazz’s most beloved musician, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. The trumpet tribute will feature Kermit Ruffins and is located at the “Red Beans and Ricely Yours” Stage. Don’t forget to stay for free cupcakes and slices of cake courtesy of Buttermilk Drop Bakery.
Satchmo SummerFest Menu
Amy’s Vietnamese Cuisine
Pork & Shrimp Spring Roll – 1 for $3 / 2 for $5
Grilled Lemongrass Chicken with Vermicelli Noodles – $8
Grilled Salmon with Jasmine Rice & Spring Mix – $10
Crawfish Egg Rolls – $3
The Praline Connection
Vegetarian Mustard Greens & Red Beans & Rice – $6
Fried Chicken Wings with Mustard Greens or Red Beans & Rice – $7
Cheesecake with Praline Sauce – $4
Pralines – $2
Vaucresson Sausage Co.
Creole Hot Sausage Po-Boy or on a Stick – $6 / $5
Creole Crawfish Sausage Po-Boy or on a Stick – $6 / $5
BBQ Chicken Sausage Po-Boy or on a Stick – $6 / $5
Fascinating seminars discuss the life, legacy, and music of Louis Armstrong
The premiere American Jazz Festival dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans’ native son, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, will take place August 3 – 5 at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint. An impressive array of speakers will present seminars, discussions, music, and movies about the history of New Orleans Jazz and the life and music of Louis Armstrong. Enlightening presentations, discussions, and performances will be given by Richard Havers co-producer of Satchmo – a comprehensive box set of Louis Armstrong recordings, Ricky Riccardi author of What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong’s Later Years, Jason Harrelson of Harrelson Trumpets, and many more.
Satchmo SummerFest Keynote Speaker, Michael Cogswell, will open the seminar presentations with a Keynote Address. Cogswell’s presentation will explore the perceptions of Louis Armstrong through the 20th and 21st centuries. The address will also include rare and unique images and recordings from the Museum’s collections and offer insight on how Armstrong became the icon he is today.
Cogswell is the Director of the Louis Armstrong House Museum in New York City and author of Louis Armstrong: The Offset Story of Satchmo (Collectors Press, 2003). In 1991, Queens College hired Cogswell to arrange and catalog the vast collections of Louis Armstrong’s home-recorded tapes, scrapbooks, photographs, manuscripts, trumpets, and other personal items. The Louis Armstrong Archives has grown to include six collections and houses the world’s largest archive for a single jazz musician. In 1995, Cogswell administered the nine-year, two million dollar project to open the Louis Armstrong House Museum, a national historic landmark and a New York City landmark, as a historic house museum. The Louis Armstrong House opened to the public in 2003 and is a popular destination for tourists, school groups, musicians, and jazz lovers. It is the only national landmark for a jazz musician that is completely authentic and open to the public six days per week, 52 weeks per year.
Michael has made several presentations about Louis Armstrong in cities across the United States and Europe. He has also appeared on NPR’s Fresh Air, ABC-TV’s Nightline, and CBS Sunday Morning.
The Opening Reception and Keynote Address at the Hotel Monteleone will take place August 2 at 5:30 p.m. Reception tickets are $65 per person and are available for sale. Please call the French Quarter Festivals, Inc. office at (504) 522-5730 to purchase tickets.
Seminars at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, August 3; 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, August 4; and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, August 5. Seminars are free and open to the public. For a complete list of the seminar schedule and speakers see the attached schedule below or visit the website www.satchmosummerfest.com.
Satchmo SummerFest 2012 – Seminar Schedule
2012 Satchmo SummerFest Seminars will take place at The Louisiana State Museum’s Old US Mint
Made possible by Louis Armstrong Education Foundation
Friday, August 3rd
1pm – My Friend Satchmo – Part 1
Jazz educator, historian and Gully Low Jazz Band leader and tuba man David Ostwald interviews NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern about his long friendship with Louis Armstrong – with key points in their conversation enhanced by audio and images supplied by Armstrong House archivist and jazz scholar Ricky Riccardi.
2pm – Satchmo’s Gear
Trumpeter and custom trumpet designer and builder Jason Harrelson of Harrelson Trumpets – talks about the trumpets and mouthpieces used by Louis Armstrong – and how Jason believes they affected Armstrong’s sound. Jason has played the trumpet for years and founded Harrelson Trumpets when he was just twenty years old. He started by modifying student horns and selling them to friends. Harrelson then began to offer custom modifications for a few select customers, and his reputation grew. Jason is known for bringing new technology and exciting designs to his instruments.
3pm – Gleanings from the Groove: The Exciting Music of the King Oliver Creole Jazz Band
Library of Congress archivist and outstanding jazz trombonist David Sager presents a multi-media examination of the seminal role and continued importance of the early recordings of the King Oliver Creole Jazz Band, which featured Louis Armstrong as second cornet, in his first recorded performances.
4pm - Cinematic Satch – with Ricky Riccardi – Louis Armstrong On Television
If ever there was a medium invented for Louis Armstrong, it was television. In his years studying the trumpeter, Ricky Riccardi has amassed a large collection of Armstrong’s television appearances, including rare treasures from Armstrong’s many visits to television talk shows. Join him for this special session as he screens some footage unseen since it was originally broadcast.
Saturday, August 4th
2pm – My Friend Satchmo – Part 2
Louis Armstrong House Museum Director Michael Cogswell interviews Armstrong House Museum board member and businessman Stephen Maitland-Lewis about his long friendship with Louis Armstrong – which began when Stephen was a youngster in the UK.
3pm – Digital Satchmo
Critically acclaimed British music writer and producer Richard Havers – and jazz pianist, archivist and historian Ricky Riccardi – who collaborated on last year’s widely praised ‘Satchmo: Louis Armstrong – Ambassador of Jazz’ 10-cd boxed set retrospective of Louis Armstrong’s recording career – discuss Universal’s forthcoming digital-only set of previously unreleased Armstrong material. The new recordings are being released in honor of the 2012 Satchmo SummerFest.
4pm – String Bands, Hawaii and Satchmo
New Orleans guitarist and banjoist Seva Venet and a five piece string band present an ‘informance’ about the impact of New Orleans string bands – and Hawaiian music – on early jazz and the music of Louis Armstrong.
5pm – Cinematic Satch – with Ricky Riccardi – Louis Armstrong in Europe
In his years as America’s “Ambassador of Goodwill,” Louis Armstrong enjoyed a special relationship with his European fans. Join Ricky Riccardi, author of ‘What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong’s Later Years,’ as he screens rare Armstrong performances from the 1930s through the 1960s, filmed in Denmark, Germany, Amsterdam, England and more.
Sunday, August 5th
1pm – Dipper and the Kid
Jazz historian John McCusker talks about the influence of trombonist Kid Ory on the development of Louis Armstrong in New Orleans, and their relationship, which stretched from 1913 until Satchmo’s death in 1971. John McCusker’s biography of Kid Ory, ‘Creole Trombone: Kid Ory and the Early Years of Jazz’ will be published by the University Press of Mississippi on October 2, 2012.
2pm – New Orleans Style and the Writing of American Jazz History
Tulane University Director of Special Collections and Hogan Jazz Archive Curator, Bruce Raeburn, talks about his recent book ‘New Orleans Style and the Writing of American Jazz History’ with award-winning radio producer and interviewer Fred Kasten.
3pm – Recording Satchmo
Armstrong House Trustee, attorney, and band leader David Ostwald interviews NEA Jazz Master and legendary producer George Avakian about his remarkable recording sessions with Louis Armstrong – with key points in their conversation enhanced by audio and images supplied by jazz archivist and Armstrong scholar Ricky Riccardi.
4pm -Pops in England
British writer and producer Richard Havers shares great anecdotes about Satchmo ‘across the pond’ – touching on Louis Armstrong’s tours of England in the 1930’s and post WWII.
5pm – Cinematic Satch – with Ricky Riccardi – Louis Armstrong On Film
Throughout his long career, Louis Armstrong appeared in over 30 major feature films. Louis Armstrong House Museum Archivist Ricky Riccardi will screen some highlights from Armstrong’s film career, from well-known Hollywood blockbusters like “High Society” and “The Five Pennies” to rarely seen entries such as “Satchmo the Great” and the European film “Saluti e Baci.”
Satchmo SummerFest will premiere a triptych selection of original collages by Louis Armstrong from the collections of the Louis Armstrong House Museum Archives. The three collages display several personal aspects of Armstrong’s life. While on the road and at home in Corona, New York, Louis Armstrong would spend hours talking into a reel to reel tape, recording stories from his career and private life. Armstrong’s love for the arts inspired him to decorate the leftover reel to reel tape boxes with personal photographs, newspaper clippings, movie stills, handwritten letters, cards, telegrams, and other items he collected throughout his life. The triptych Louis Armstrong collages are a limited edition silkscreen print and will be on sale at the merchandise booth during Satchmo SummerFest.
Armstrong-inspired King Cake Baby Pendants from Molly McNamara Designs (local artist) will also make its debut to the merchandise line. The pewter pendants are $30 and include a chain and a brief history of the New Orleans King Cake and Baby. Other merchandise will be available for sale at the festival and online including Satchmo SummerFest shirts, hats, and neck coolers.
A complete list of all 2012 Satchmo SummerFest merchandise follows. For more information about Satchmo SummerFest call (504) 522-5730 or visit the website www.satchmosummerfest.com.
Locals’ Lagniappe Day exceeds all expectations. Locals and visitors from around the world enjoyed picture perfect weather, the best of New Orleans music, food, and the historic French Quarter.
2012 French Quarter Festival App received more downloads than any other app developed by Applitite.
April 12-15 marked the 29th anniversary of French Quarter Festival presented by Capital One Bank. This year’s attendance figures indicate that approximately 574,000* festival-goers enjoyed the music, food, special events and of course, the historic French Quarter.
The new opening day of Festival, dubbed ‘Locals’ Lagniappe Day’, on Thursday, April 12th ran for a full day and enjoyed very strong attendance. Even Friday the 13th didn’t deter festival goers as numbers for Friday rivaled past Saturday attendance figures.
The 2012 French Quarter Festival featured iPhone and Android phone apps, which were available free of charge, courtesy of Capital One Bank. The app’s developer, Philip Berman of Applitite, informed festival organizers today that the 2012 app received more downloads than any other festiva app he has developed (clients include the Chicago Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago, Chicago International Film Festival, and New Orleans Voodoo Experience. Over 25,000 apps were downloaded for the 2012 festival and the Android app garnered a 4 ½ star rating and the iPhone a 4- star rating – very high by App industry standards. Applitite LLC was founded in Chicago in January 2009 by Philip Berman. Application clients include retail, manufacturing, healthcare, games, events and the entertainment industry.
The award-winning festival, which began in 1984, has grown to become the largest free music festival in the South. A record 22 music stages throughout the French Quarter presented the best in New Orleans music, representing every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R & B and New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, classical, cabaret, opera, Cajun Zydeco, Latin World, International, as well as a musical stage for children. Over 90 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint made up the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch,” a signature event featuring authentic local cuisine from renowned area restaurants, many of whom have been with the Festival throughout its entire 29-year history.
FQFI officials worked with Capital One Bank and Hotard to continue free shuttle service to the festival for a third year. Free to ride all weekend, Capital One sponsored the ‘Second Line Shuttle’, which was routed from the Central Business District to Canal Street. To accommodate festival goers both Saturday and Sunday, the New Orleans Police Department closed down most streets of the French Quarter to traffic – ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for locals and visitors alike. Fest goers enjoyed walking in the streets and enjoying the historic neighborhood. Very few events in the City are afforded such a traffic closure. New Orleans Police provided strong support throughout the weekend, alongside the Guardian Angels and Fess Security.
French Quarter Festival relies on strong community support to present the ‘kickoff to festival season in New Orleans’ – with over 2,000 volunteers, over 260 musical acts, numerous generous sponsors – including the New Orleans Musicians Union AFM Local 174-496, corporations from all over the state who sponsor musical acts at festival, New Orleans Police and Fire Departments, EMS, permitting assistance from the City of New Orleans and partnerships with Parks and Parkways, Audubon Institute and the Louisiana State Museum, among others.
Over 700 guests attended the festival’s kickoff party: ‘TGIF’ – Thank Goodness it’s Festival! – at the House of Blues. Festival goers attended a variety of free special events throughout the weekend, including the return of the fireworks (absent since 2005), a new lecture series, ‘Let them Talk: Conversations on Louisiana Music’; free dance lessons at three stages; two children’s areas with music and activities at the Audubon Aquarium riverfront plaza and the courtyard of the Hermann-Grima House Museum; a Pirate’s Alley Juried Art Show; Rouses World Championship Crawfish Eating Contest; Battle of the Bands; and Sunday’s ‘Dancing at Dusk’, which filled the 400 block of Royal Street and beyond with dancers.
Festival Sponsors for the 29th annual French Quarter Festival as of February 9, 2012 include: Capital One Bank (Presenting Sponsor), Abita Brewing Company, Pepsi, WWL-TV, Absolut Vodka, Malibu Rum, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Woodbridge Wines, Tropical Isle, Rouses Market, Harrah’s Foundation, French Market Corporation, Chevron, New TUMS Freshers, Louisiana Office of Tourism, The Greater New Orleans Buick/GMC Dealerships, City of New Orleans, The Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, Rick’s 315 Bourbon, Musician’s Performance Fund, PJ’s Coffee and Tea of New Orleans, nola.com, Louisiana Lottery, House of Blues, Hotel Monteleone, United Airlines, Pat O’s on the River, Hard Rock Café, Windsor Court Hotel, BMI, Court of Two Sisters, Tulane Medical Center, Tulane Hospital for Children at Tulane Medical Center, Hermann Grima House, Applitite, Musical Legends Park, Red Bull, New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, Rolland Lock and Safe, Pelican Ice, SDT, OffBeat Magazine, Where Y’at Magazine, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, NOLA Jitterbugs, NOTV, NOLA Baby & Family Magazine, Preservation Hall, The Historic New Orleans Collection, St. Louis Cathedral, Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, I.T.S. Fire Alarm Security, NewOrleans.com, Louisiana Cookin’, TRS, Kids and Family New Orleans, IntheKnowla.com, Where Magazine, Nola Baby and Family, Curve Magazine, Ambush Magazine, The Vinyl District, New Orleans Magazine, Louisiana Life Magazine, Acadian Profile, MyNewOrleans.com, St. Charles Avenue Magazine, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, WRNO, WWNO, 96.1 The River, 101.5 WYNK, 102.5 WFMF, 1150AM WJOB, B97, Bayou 95.7, Magic 101.9, KCIL, KXOR, and KJIN.
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. releases the 2012 music lineup for the 29th annual French Quarter Festival – April 12- April 15, 2012 and introduces two new stages to the growing festival – the Rick’s 315 Stage on Bourbon Street (traditional Jazz) and a Cabaret Stage at the Hotel Monteleone’s new Carousel Bar. French Quarter Festival was founded in 1984 as a way to bring locals back to the French Quarter after major street and sidewalk construction before the World’s Fair. What was meant to be a one-time event has grown into a free, four-day festival with over 22 stages of music throughout the French Quarter, over 800 local musicians, over 250 hours of free music, and over 500,000 festival goers.
This year French Quarter Festival introduces many new acts to the lineup including the Royal Southern Brotherhood with Cyril Neville, Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders, Deacon John, New Orleans Bingo! Show, George Porter, Jr. and his Runnin’ Pardners, Papa Grows Funk, Gina Brown & Anutha Level, the Iguanas, and Bill Summers & Jazalsa, to name a few. French Quarter Festival will also feature 2012 Grammy winners, Rebirth Brass Brand – along with local favorites like Troy ‘Trombone Shorty’ Andrews and Orleans Avenue; Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington; Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra; Jeremy Davenport; Soul Rebels; Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys; and Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders.
Musician Sponsorship Program
In 2012 French Quarter Festival, Inc. launched the Musician Sponsorship program which eliminated the musicians’ responsibility of securing a sponsor. The new program has taken the burden off musicians and created hundreds of new partnerships for the festival. In March 2012, the Festival met its goal for musician sponsorships and will use the extra funds raised to cover musician parking at festival this year. One hundred percent of the musician sponsorship income will go towards musician expense at French Quarter Festival. Currently, twenty-one (of the twenty-two) stages at French Quarter Festival feature Louisiana artists exclusively. Over 800 local musicians perform at French Quarter Festival each year.
Visit www.fqfi.org for more information on the music lineup, stages, and musician sponsorship. The free App for iPhone or Android is courtesy of Capital One Bank and Applitite.
