[Dixielandjazz] French Quarter Festival

[Stephen G Barbone]

I see they are finally going to pay non-union musicians at this  
festival. As you may know, money saved by not paying musicians,  
neither union  nor non union helped balance the budget for this  
festival in the past. Union musicians were previously paid scale by  
the AF of M's performance fund. ($115 per sideman, double for leader)

http://www.nola.com/fqfest/index.ssf/2011/11/french_quarter_festival_rethin.html

Also noted is that the organizers are asking for private sponsors to  
find the money to pay non-union musicians and to book national acts.  
Sponsorships range from $500 to $10,000 and more. If interested Fill  
out the form at: http://www.fqfi.org/frenchquarterfest/fqfi_adopt_artist.html

Also noted that the Festival will probably have a good share of non- 
jazz acts. No doubt in an effort to top 2011 attendance of some  
533,000, who attended in large measure, to see non-jazz acts. Below is  
what they said, in part, about 2011.

"This award-winning festival, which began in 1984, has grown to become  
the largest free music festival in the South. A record 20 music stages  
throughout the French Quarter presented the best in New Orleans music,  
representing every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R &  
B and New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, classical, opera,  
Cajun Zydeco, Latin World, International, as well as a musical stage  
for children."

http://www.fqfi.org/news/?p=1672

Looks like they are trying to become the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage  
Festival. VBG

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband