[Dixielandjazz] Fw: Hello from Lee Floyd re; Possible work for professional New Orleans musicians

[Don Gumpert]

Received this from banjoist Lee Floyd III and thought it might be informativel.
Sandy Gumpert
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lee Floyd III 
To: Don Gumpert 
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 9:54 PM
Hello everyone on this list,
     

    Thank all of you for your care and concern about the recent tragedy in New Orleans, specifically how it has affected our family of friends and musicians from that amazing area.

     

    This year until Hurricane Katrina came to town, I have had the pleasure of playing my Plectrum Banjo with a great band on Bourbon Street. I was profoundly moved at how everyone who lives there and the people who visit New Orleans seem to really care about "Live Music". It is truly, (and hopefully will one day return as), "the Cradle of Jazz" in the world. This event has sadly and forcibly changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. It has also decimated the lives and careers of our beloved musician family in that area. To that end, many are all still trying to re-connect with lost brothers in the music world.

     

    I am doing my part (what ever that is) in trying to help to secure temporary work for as many brilliant musicians who are now scattered throughout the country. This week I traveled back to my old stomping grounds in Orlando Florida and was delighted to know that Mr. Benoit Glazier, band leader for the Circ de sole', Mr. Sam Zambito, Secretary Treasurer for Musicians Local 389 , and Mr. Mike Avila President of local 389 are trying to organize a benefit with all local Orlando musicians on behalf of the Hurricane Katrina victims. 

     

    There is also a simultaneous move afoot "at a major theme park near you" (name shall remain nameless for now as this is just getting started, and I am not speaking officially on their behalf). With the help of our Union local 389 president Mr. Mike Avila, and several key people in the "unnamed corporation", they are exploring the possibility of providing work and fund raising opportunities to be funneled through the Red Cross for many professional New Orleans Jazz musicians. That is, Musicians specifically affected and displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Talk about a "Win-Win!

     

    There are no guarantees at this moment. If you happen to know of any recently-working New Orleans musicians in your personal circle of friends from that area that would like to come to Central Florida and possibly play there or in other locations throughout the world temporarily, please have them contact me Lee Floyd @ plinkfloyd at yahoo.com and I will forward their contact information to the interested parties.  If they happen to have a web site that will further help in selling them that would be nice to include that information. This is definitely a time sensitive opportunity as everyone by now is making their own plans so please do help get the word out.. 

     

    Lastly, This in no way means that I am holding myself out as an agent, or trying to represent anyone personally. It only means that I am trying to help connect musicians in need of a potentially very good stop-gap opportunity. Good luck to everyone, and thanks for helping spread the good word.

     

    Cheers!

     

    Lee Floyd



    O. Lee Floyd III
    2301 Sans Souci Rd.
    Mobile, Al. 36605
    (Home) 251-479-7572
    (Cell) 251-623-3903


O. Lee Floyd III
2301 Sans Souci Rd.
Mobile, Al. 36605
(Home) 251-479-7572
(Cell) 251-623-3903