New Orleans, LA — April 30, 2002 — What is it about Louisiana that breeds and attracts musicians? There are literally hundreds of them: Dr. John, the Meters, the Marsalis family, the Neville Brothers, Harry Connick, Jr., Irma Thomas, Lucinda Williams, Allen Toussaint, all part of a tradition going back to Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden, and Mahalia Jackson. Louisiana Music: A Journey from R&B to Zydeco, Jazz to Country, Blues to Gospel, Cajun Music to Swamp Pop to Carnival Music and Beyond by Rick Koster answers the question. �This is the first and only guide to all the music and musicians, past and present, of America�s most raucous, rocking state,� says Kevin Hanover, Da Capo Press.
Rick Koster, in his latest book, tackles the monumental task of surveying the lush musical landscape of the state, examining all of the ingredients that went into creating this hotbed of talent � the social influences, the musical traditions, the food, the drink, the heat � and introduces us to the stars, both local and national, who have emerged. Discover the past and present of jazz, rock, zydeco, R&B, gospel, blues, country, and straight-up rock �n� roll; learn too about the styles unique to Louisiana, like voodoo music, swamp pop, second-line brass bands, and Mardi Gras Indian tribes. With the laid-back charm and easy appeal that defines the state, Koster has created a survey as uniquely and teemingly rich with a sound and story as the place itself.
Da Capo Press, the newly renamed Louisiana Economic Development (LED), and the Louisiana Music Commission (LMC) will sponsor and pay tribute to the lives and talents of the musicians of Louisiana with the book launch of Louisiana Music at Emeril�s Restaurant on April 30th from 4-6 PM. Where better to have an event than atone of New Orleans most recognizable restaurants operated by the phenomenal Chef Emeril Lagasse, one of the premier chefs in the world today.
Da Capo Press is celebrated for its many superb books on and about music, including Wynton Marsalis�s Jazz in the Bittersweet Blues of Life, Hank Williams: Snapshots from the Lost Highway (�arguably the most visually stunning book in the history of country music��Country Music magazine), the national bestseller, Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece and the recently published, Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Reader. Da Capo is also a leading publisher in the areas of American and world history, film, art and architecture, sports, and African-American studies. Since 1999, Da Capo Press has been a member of the Perseus Books Group and has offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts and New York City.
LED is dedicating its resources to serve the needs of resident industry while exceeding the expectations of companies looking to do business in Louisiana. Louisiana�s roster of business incentives is designed to retain and attract new industry. The LED has restructured its programs by implementing a �cluster economic development� strategy. Clusters are networks of compatible or competitive inter- related companies working together to strengthen the industry market.
The newly created entertainment cluster focuses on the music, film and video industries. According to LMC officials, the music industry in Louisiana includes several thousand musicians and indirectly affects 50,000 jobs statewide in related industries. The economic value has impacted the state to the tune of $3 billion last year. It generates $90 million in state and local taxes annually.
“Louisiana Music captures the musical essence of Louisiana. The book not only examines the historical and cultural significance of the music, but recognizes the commercial and economic impact music has on the State," says Don J. Hutchinson, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development.
The Louisiana Music Commission (LMC) is an agency within the LED. The LMC is encompassed in the entertainment division of the LED. Its focus is music. The LMC�s mission is to promote and develop Louisiana�s popular, commercial music and related industries to produce the highest possible economic and cultural benefits for the people of Louisiana. The LMC has assisted literally thousands of music professionals in advancing their careers, and has been a catalyst for exposing musicians to the public via radio and television. The LMC is working with higher education to build the Louisiana music industry�s professional workforce and helping reach thousands of Louisiana school children with live Louisiana music history programs. Under the leadership of Chairman Ellis L. Marsalis Jr., since 1992, LMC initiatives and activities generated more than $11 million in economic impact in working to promote and develop Louisiana�s music industry.
Performing at the event is Grammy Nominee and Billboard Music Award Winner �Los Hombres Calientes: Irvin Mayfield & Bill Summers.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
