[Dixielandjazz] N.O.Musicians update Not all OKOM but still MKOM

[tcashwigg at aol.com]

Irma Thomas sent word she is with family in Gonzales, LA (near largely 
spared Baton Rouge). The Neville and Marsalis families lost most of 
their homes (and instruments) but all escaped safely, mostly to Memphis 
and then to NYC. Sonny Landreth, Steve Riley, and Geno
Delafose were on tour in New England, where they were gathered for a 
Lousianan music festival in Rhode Island this weekend. The Dirty Dozen 
Brass Band is also touring, as is Daniel Lanois (who played a folk fest 
in Toronto this weekend). Most members of the Rebirth Blues Band are in 
Seattle for the Bumbershoot Festival, though there are
reports that one of their occasional trombonists is missing. Wayne 
Toups (of Zydecajun) was scheduled to in Beaumont, TX and the (mostly 
spared) Lake Charles, LA area this weekend.  Lafayette-based Mojo and 
the Bayou Gypsies  played a benefit in Muncie, IN last night. .  And 
according to his schedule (listed only through Aug. 13), Zachary 
Richard is probably still on tour in France, where he lives during the 
summer.

Still no word, though, on Alex Chilton.

Just read that NOLA composer/pianist/singer Allen Toussaint ("Southern 
Nights" a hit for Glen Campbell and "Right Place, Wrong Time," 
co-written with and recorded by Dr. John) managed to escape rising 
flood waters in his East N.O. home near the fairgrounds and
make his way first to Baton Rouge, then Houston and finally NYC. Whew!
==========

In other news, Fats Domino and family were evacuated from the area 
safely.  Here are a couple articles you may be interested in:

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/12546614.htm
also looks like all Basin St. Artists are okay -- at least this article 
makes it seem so: 
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/ae/music/3337139

Tom Wiggins