[Dixielandjazz] The Rebirth of Jazz in New Orleans?

[Steve Barbone]

As many of us know, last Fall New Orleans announced plans to develop a 20
acre "National Jazz Center." at a cost of 716 million USD. More than $400
million in funding has already been promised, and plans to raise the
remaining $300 million are well under way.

Below is the City's answer to how it will affect the French Quarter.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone



DOES THE NATIONAL JAZZ CENTER COMPETE WITH THE FRENCH QUARTER?

The short answer is NO, the National Jazz Center does not compete with the
French Quarter ­ in fact, it actually complements and enhances the existing
musical attractions and venues in place in the French Quarter by stimulating
the musical development of jazz in New Orleans and expanding the
opportunities for jazz musicians to both learn about and practice their
craft here in New Orleans ­ thus helping to preserve and expand the musical
talent base for the French Quarter night clubs.

The National Jazz Center is envisioned to provide a focal-point of
activities, educational information, and musical support for jazz
enthusiasts, scholars and musicians world-wide. No comparable facility
exists anywhere else in the world ­ much less in the French Quarter ­ so its
construction would not compete with any existing attractions or facilities
located there. 

The performing arts component of the National Jazz Center is envisioned to
consist of an 800 to 1,200 seat main theater to accommodate high-profile
jazz artists, national and local jazz orchestras and musically significant
jazz-themed shows and presentations. There is no comparable facility located
in the French Quarter with which this theater would compete.

In addition, although a smaller, 300-seat "black box" stage is also
contemplated for smaller or more intimate shows, once again such a facility
is not designed to compete with the nightclubs and jazz halls of the French
Quarter, but to spotlight or otherwise showcase national and local jazz
talent and touring ensembles in a more formal presentation.

But the National Jazz Center is far more than just performing space ­ at its
heart, it is intended to provide a complete jazz educational and support
facility, designed to both educate all on the historical development and
significance of jazz, while at the same time supporting jazz musicians
through expansive programs, teaching opportunities and recording studios. To
this end, the National Jazz Center will include:

€ A state of the art, interactive jazz museum, which will trace the history
of jazz from its 19th century origins to the present day and reveal its
importance to other Louisiana art forms and New Orleans traditions, such as
the Mardi Gras Indians, second-liners and social aid and pleasure clubs.
€ Programs and exhibits as part of the museum, which will include artifacts,
recordings, video and audio commentary by musicians and scholars presented
in a hands-on, interactive environment that will be designed to be
accessible to children and school groups, adults, family groups, and jazz
aficionados. 
€ A musical jazz archive and research library open to musicians, scholars
and the general public to foster the understanding of the historical
significance and importance of jazz to American music and culture and to
preserve its heritage.
€ Recording studios and related support facilities and offices to provide
jazz musicians and groups with the opportunity to expand and develop the
rich tradition and history of jazz music, and to market their music ­ not
just to a local audience ­ but on a national and international scale.

None of these components contemplated for the National Jazz Center compete
with any presently existing facility or institution in the French Quarter.
In this sense, the National Jazz Center very much stands on its own,
providing a unique blend of exhibits, archives, live performances, recording
studios and encounters with musicians that are guaranteed to make it an
internationally important tourist destination in its own right. And in doing
so, the National Jazz Center can only stimulate the expansion and growth of
the traditional French Quarter and New Orleans jazz clubs ­ by increasing
tourism to the City, stimulating an awareness of the rich history and
culture of jazz (both locally and on an international scale), and by
creating an atmosphere to promote the growth of and demand for jazz artists
and their music.