Johnny Vidacovich Tribute

Stanton Moore is organizing a drum summit in tribute to Johnny Vidacovich in New Orleans at the Howlin' Wolf on March 28. So far the line up includes Bosphorus artists Russell Batiste (the Funky Meters), Shannon Powell (Prerservation Hall) and Kevin O'Day (Anders Osborne), as well as drummers Willie Green (Neville Brothers) Terrence Higgins (Dirty Dozen) and George Porter Jr. on bass, David Torkanowski on keys, and Shane Therriot (Neville Brothers) on guitar. Proceeds will go towards helping Johnny rebuild his home, damaged by hurricane Katrina. Click here to learn more.

Kudos to Philip Marshall for organizing an event in Austin, Texas to benefit Johnny, and thanks to everyone who supported it.

(photo by Rochelle Blanchard)

A Message From Jamey Haddad

Thanks to a life of sharing music in an international environment I have recently agreed to be part of a team that will be on a world wide search and acquisition of musical instruments for the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum).The MIM broke ground this week in Phoenix and when it is completed in 2 years it will be the largest Musical Instrument Museum in the world.

The job of filling this MIM with great instruments will be a work in progress for years to come, but come opening day we will need to have a real collection that visitors will take delight in. To this end I will ask you to please send anyone my way who has an interest in being part of this acquisition process. Please keep in mind we are talking about museum quality instruments. You might contribute by: Selling or donating your personal instrument or collection. Passing on contacts of collectors or musicians who might want to sell or donate a special instrument. Contributing instruments that have a special significance because of who played them.

For more information click here.

NBA All Star Game

Watch for Bosphorus artist Arthur Latin appearing with Harry Connick, Jr on the NBA Allstar Game halftime show Sunday, February 17th at 8pm on TNT. They'll be appearing with numerous other New Orleans musicians. Harry and the NBA have been very involved in trying to help my home town of New Orleans. Click here to read more.