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I haven't posted here in awhile so if y'all are checking on me please go here . I have added some new slideshows and will be updating content over time. Cheers.

Meanwhile, I have a bad case of the Katrina blues. As many of you know, I moved here a year before the storm, after spending most of my life in New York. Taking so much time to photograph in the devastated areas of New Orleans has taken a toll, and my own living situation is now unstable. I am going to make a road trip to NY, and be back in October, if anyone knows of a efficiency rental, I am in need.

Tuesday April 19th, 2005

Clarence Gatemouth Brown

Another shot of Gate at his home in Slidell, casually attired in Spongebob attire, and smokin' his trusty pipe, and I ain't saying what was in it. No one cares about that anyway.

New Orleans is truly the most magnificent place on earth, and I still fall on my knees from time to time to thank the Lord, whether it be he or she, for delivering me here.

Gate's health is declining and this will probably be your last chance to see him this Jazz Fest. He needs your support some come on and check him out.

Friday April 15th, 2005

Tambourine man Brison Colbert parading in front of the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Treme

Sylvester Francis of the Backstreet Cultural Museum was honored yesterday. It was a great tribute which included the Treme Brass Band, Scott Aiges from the Mayor's Office, Big Chief Victor Harris from Fi-yi-yi, Big Chief Kevin from the Flaming Arrows. Pat Jolly, James Andrews and Karen Gant, Jacques Morial, Sydney Byrd, Mimsie, and hundreds of others attended.

Sylvester has spent his whole life as a photographer and videographer, collecting and maintaining suits, photographs, and memorobilia documenting the life in New Orleans. His work culminated in the creation of the Backstreet Museum .which is a center for information about the culture, especially distributing the invaluable route sheets for the Second Lines!

The party culiminated in a hourlong Indian jam with the boisterous drumming and tambourine playing working the lobby of the chic International House into a frenzy. With free Louisiana Rum on hand the fire was well-fueled.

Thursday April 14th, 2005

The Big 9 parade at Jazz Fest 2004

The Big 9 from the Ninth Ward will be parading on the first Saturday of Jazz Fest. Big Chief Edgar Jacobs (left) was inducted into the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame this year.

Wednesday April 13th, 2005

One of the bad things about digitial photographer is that we photographers have way to much ability to alter our photos. One of the good things about digital photography is that I was able to remove the Acura logo from the top of the Professor Longhair stage! Now if we could just prevent those annoying Tropical Isle banner flag airplanes from buzzing around the Fair Grounds as easily!

Tuesday April 12th, 2005

Its hard to believe but Jazz Fest 2005 is next week. For the next week I am going to be posting images from Jazz Fest 2004, like this one from the mist tent. Eventually I will get a "press pass" and photograph the performers, but for now I prefer to concentrate on the spirit and the atmosphere of the Fest, which is what makes it so special and different than all of the other festivals.

Saturday April 9th, 2005

First day of the French Quarter Festival yesterday! Coco Robicheaux was on the Coors Light stage sponsored by DBA (does DBA even serve Coors, hopefully not) with a great band including Dave Easley on steel pedal guitar, who has to be one of the best guitar players (if not musicians flatout) in the Big Easy.

Coco looked unusually pale, even considering his usual countenance outside the Apple Barrel, and mentioned something about "not to be surprised if (we) saw any UFO's," which made sense seeing that there was an solar eclipse later that afternoon.

Coco said his CD "Spiritland" had gone out of print between mumbling about "black cat bone" and Marie Laveaux and looking roughly in the direction of the North Shore.

I am off to pay a few bills in Bossier City, La. but will be back down by the river tommorow.