PhatmonB6

Wynton speaks to the devastation wrought by hurricane Katrina
This is Wynton's statement about the devastation in his hometown of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina:

"New Orleans is the most unique of American cities because it is the only city in the world that created its own full culture – architecture, music and festive ceremonies. It's of singular importance to the United States of America because it was the original melting pot with a mixture of Spanish, French, British, West African and American people living in the same city. The collision of these cultures created jazz and jazz is important because it's the only art form that embodies the fundamental principals of American democracy. That's why it swept the country and the world representing the best of the United States.

New Orleanians are blues people. We are resilient, so we are sure that our city will come back. This tragedy, however, provides an opportunity for the American people to demonstrate to ourselves and to the world that we are one nation determined to overcome our legacies of injustices based on race and class. At this time all New Orleanians need the nation to unite in a deafening crescendo of affirmation to silence that desperate cry that is this disaster.

We need people with their prayers, their pocketbooks, and above all their sense of purpose to show the world just who the modern American is and then we'll put our city back together in even greater fashion. This is gut check time for all of us as Americans.

In a country with the most incredible resources in the world we need the ingenuity of our best engineers to put the cultural heart of our nation back together. To put it together with 2005 technical expertise and with 2005 social consciousness, which means without accommodating the ignorance of racism, the deplorable poverty, and lack of education that have been allowed to fester in many great American cities since slavery.

We're only as civilized as our level of hospitality. Let's demonstrate to the world that what actually makes America the most powerful nation on earth is not guns, pornography and material wealth but transcendent and abiding soul, something perhaps we have lost a grip on, and this catastrophe gives us a great opportunity to handle up on."

Wynton Marsalis


pasted and posted from wyntonmarsalis.org

__________________
Bach Strad 180S37
Monette B2

Well, if I could play like Wynton (Marsalis), I wouldn't play like Wynton.
Chet Baker

Manny Laureano

Classy musician, classy man.

ML

PhatmonB6

HelloMr. Laureano,

I was not expecting such a quick response. Anyway, have a great Labor Day weekend. Oh by the way Brigitte is saying she wants a Monette for her 18th birthday so that gives me 7 years to save up for one. She has become really dedicated to her practicing ever since we met with you and especially with 6th grade band starting in 3 days. A couple of her friends who will be starting band do not even have their instruments(trumpet) yet. So I guess she does have a pretty good head start. I am very proud of her

__________________
Bach Strad 180S37
Monette B2

Well, if I could play like Wynton (Marsalis), I wouldn't play like Wynton.
Chet Baker

Manny Laureano

You're a great support to her, G-d bless you.

If you need any help getting into concerts this year, let me know. I'd love to see both of you at the Hall as often as you like. Don't be shy about asking.

ML

PhatmonB6

Thank you very much. That is an invitation and an opportunity that we will not pass up.

Sincerely, Robert and Brigitte

__________________
Bach Strad 180S37
Monette B2

Well, if I could play like Wynton (Marsalis), I wouldn't play like Wynton.
Chet Baker