Wendy Oxenhorn, executive director of the Jazz Foundation of America, has issued the following statement regarding organizations helping New Orleans musicians:
“We are directing folks to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic (NOMC) which has the names and addresses of so many musicians in New Orleans, and are working now to find them and find temporary housing for them in schools etc.
But let us remember…
…it will be the Jazz Foundation who will be called upon to provide money to the musicians for first month rents and security deposits on new apartments and relocations. As well, we’re going to try to get instruments replaced.
Two great organizations to donate to:
New Orleans Musicians Clinic (NOMC)—This is a fantastic hands-on organization that has the names and addresses of so many great musicians because they have them all coming to their FREE health clinic all these years and now, they are the ones who are tracking down the local musicians and finding them shelter.
They can be contacted at [email protected].
Send donations to:
NOMC Emergency Fund
funds will be distributed by:
SW LA Area Health Education Center Foundation, Inc.
103 Independence Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70506
desk: 337/989-0001
fax: 337/989-1401
email: [email protected]
www.swlahec.com/
The New Orleans Musicians Clinic is determined to keep Louisiana Music Alive! It is our beacon to soothe our souls. We want to relocate our New Orleans musicians into the Lafayette/Acadiana community where they can remain a life force. But most of them have lost everything…we must help them rebuild their lives.
Jazz Foundation of America:
We will be addressing the longer term needs of these jazz and blues artists.
We will be raising funds and distributing money for the musicians to get a new apartment or room for rent: by giving a first month’s rent, possibly more, for them to start over, a place to live. (This is what we normally do on a daily basis for musicians across the country who become sick and can’t pay their rent. We also keep food on the table and get employment to hundreds of elderly musicians through our Jazz in the Schools program. Our operations normally assist 35 musicians a week.)
As well, we will be attempting to help New Orleans musicians by replacing the thing that matters most and the only way they can ever work again: their instruments.
To those who lost their instruments, like drummers and bassists who could not carry their heavy equipment, and guitarist with their amps, we will be making an effort to work with manufacturers and music stores to replace those instruments for as many as we possibly can.
Send donations to:
Jazz Foundation of America
322 West 48th Street 6th floor
NYC 10036
Director: Wendy Oxenhorn
Phone: 212/245-3999 Ext. 21
e-mail contact: [email protected]
Website: www.jazzfoundation.org
To make an online CREDIT CARD DONATION OR PLEDGE:
Go to: www.jazzfoundation.org/index2.html and click bottom right corner of page where it says “instant pledge.”
Thank you, from our hearts.”
