[Dixielandjazz] New Orleans Musicians Help

[Vaxtrpts at aol.com]

Hi  Folks:
I have been searching Katrina Benefit operations and internet  postings 
for help, and jobs for a week.
This is the ONLY ADD to help  MUSICIANS I have been able to find:
I suggest that all Jazz Societies  seriously think about posting similar 
adds for performing opportunities  for musicians if you really are 
interested in preserving OKOM.    Invite at least one to be a special 
guest performer at your NEXT  function,  they need help NOW.
Cheers,
Tom Wiggins
Saint  Gabriel's Celestial Brass Band
We simply can't do enough right now, but we  can do something don't miss 
the  opportunity.




>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Geez, Tom, I posted this on September 9th and got very  little response from 
this list.  The fund is in place now and we are  getting checks in. I'll post 
it again.............................
Mike Vax
 
 
 
 
 
At our recent board meeting of Friends of Big Band Jazz (501c3 nonprofit  
corporation), we discussed the plight of many New Orleans musicians, in the  
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  There are many wonderful things already being 
done to help them, but we  decided to start our own fund to help them in the 
future.  Many of these musicians are living  temporarily with friends, family or 
just caring individuals all over the United  States.  Many have lost much of 
what  they had, including possessions, living quarters and even musical 
instruments.  They could be out of work for quite a long time.  We know that, once the 
initial horror of  this catastrophic event has diminished somewhat, the 
reality of how to get on  with their lives will set in.  We  want to pick a few 
musicians and their families and help as much as we can, as  they start to try to 
put their lives back together in the coming  months. 
Any funds that are raised will go directly to our chosen musicians.  There 
will be no administrative charges  of any kind.  Through many friends  who lived 
in New Orleans, people who are in contact with these musicians, and  maybe 
even from some of you, we will ascertain what musicians we can pick to  make the 
best use of our fund. 
If you would like to make a donation, please make your check out to  Friends 
of Big Band Jazz and put on the subject line: New Orleans Musicians  Fund.  
This will be a  tax-deductible, charitable donation for you. 
Mail to: 
Friends of Big Band Jazz 
500 Oakland Ave. 
Oakland, CA 94611 
Thanks,  
Mike Vax 
Chairman of the Board 
Friends of Big Band  Jazz