Nola 09 - New York Times Student Journalism Institute » Multimedia

Video: The Drywall of China

Leon Hendrix III — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:34:14 +0000

Residents of New Orleans are discovering that their homes might have been rebuilt with drywall that has sulfur levels approximately 10 times higher than what United States government standards allow.

Interactive Map: Bayou Rock and Roll

Jessica Goff — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:57:19 +0000

With Louisiana so historically marked as a state rich with famous jazz musicians, it’s easy to overlook names like Hank Williams and Fats Domino. These artists, among others, broke into the Rock and Roll scene by recording in places like Shreveport and Lake Charles. Use this map to find more local legends.

Video: The Housing Blues

Richard White — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:00:46 +0000

After Hurricane Katrina finding housing was rough for local New Orleans musican J.D. Hill. He now lives in Musicans’ Village in the Upper 9th Ward.

Interactive Map: Park and Playground Conditions in Lakeview

Dale W. Clarke II — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:00:14 +0000

Nearly four years following Hurricane Katrina, many New Orleans playgrounds are still undergoing renovation. While 90 out of 125 parks and playgrounds are deemed open, some still need a number of repairs such as fencing and lighting and shelter restorations. Many of the playgrounds have been assigned architects, but officials estimate all the parks and recreational facilities won’t be complete until next summer. The estimated cost to design, plan and construct the remaining facilities is $70 million.

This map of the Lakeview neighborhood, which was mostly flooded after the 17^th Street levee breached, shows different levels of progress in the city’s efforts to restore damaged parks.

Water level information referenced from http://www.nola.com.

Video: Death of a Salesman

Joseph L. Cook — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:14:30 +0000

After Surviving Katrina a Local Car Dealership Becomes a Casualty of the Economy

On June 9, Orleans Dodge Chrysler Jeep LLC in New Orleans East is set to become one of two Chrysler dealerships in the New Orleans area to close. Co-owner Mike Comiskey is fighting back.

Serving Up the Bywater

Leon Hendrix III — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:39:53 +0000

Bartender Chris Hannah reveals how to make this specialty drink served at the French 75 bar.

Video: A Day to Dance

Joseph L. Cook — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:28:52 +0000

Experience the sights and sounds of the Bayou Boogaloo music festival.

Photo Gallery: Longshoremen Try to Stay Afloat in Uncertain Economy

Mylan Cannon — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:27:44 +0000

“We stick together; it’s like a family,” says the International Longshoremen’s Association Local No. 3000 president, Kenneth Crier. The Port of New Orleans is more than just a grand ensemble of massive machines and impressive ingenuity. It is also a place where people like Leon Slan have worked for over 30 years and where a union exists to bring together longshoremen to assure “work and the quality of work,” says Crier. While being in the union has benefited longshoremen over the years, the state of the economy is taking its toll on the union and the amount of work the longshoremen get. They must seek work at the port every day, but many of them are disappointed and try again the next day, often with no success. Crier says this would not have been the case five years ago. Some longshoremen say they believe that while the economic slump affected them last, when the economy recovers, they will be the last to benefit.

Video: Return of the Word

Leon Hendrix III — Tue, 26 May 2009 23:46:06 +0000

A new generation of Spoken Word artists are emerging in New Orleans.

Audio Slideshow: Two Bands. One Tradition

Kenneth Hawkins — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:55:50 +0000

Over the years brass bands have moved the spirit of New Orleans, marching through the streets, playing at clubs and accompanying the life of the city, from weddings to funerals.

Dating to the early 19^th century, brass bands – with their trumpets, tubas, trombones, saxophones and booming bass drums – continue to set the rhythm of the city. But now, they play in two widely different styles.

Older bands, like the Treme Brass Band, carry on a tradition long identified with the jazz clubs of the city, playing slow, non-amplified, but still rollicking numbers, their members dressed alike in black and white with white caps and ties.

A newer kind of band, which started appearing in the 1970s, is more likely to play in a louder, faster, electrified style, performing in whatever outfits suit their style. The Soul Rebels, is one such band their sound heightens the level energy by adding funk and playing contemporary works.

Benny Jones Sr., leader of the Treme Brass Band, always had music in his life, most directly from his father, who played drums in the Eureka Brass Band. After founding the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Jones founded the Treme Band in 1975, naming it after the community where he has lived all his life. The band’s traditions include singing in Creole.

Lamar LeBlanc, leader of the Soul Rebels, has also been involved in music most of his life. After playing with the Olympia Brass Band, he formed his own band in 1990.

While the Treme band’s bass drummer, Lionel Batiste, 76, beats his drum in a more traditional way, without electronic microphones amplifying sound, the Soul Rebels tuba player, Edward Lee, promotes the newer, louder style, nearly blowing listeners back in their seats. And trumpet players Marcus Hubbard and Tannon Williams play in the highest register of the trumpet.

The newer band’s informal look has its critics, who say it takes away from the professionalism in the business. It seems to also remove the juke-joint feel of traditional jazz.

Jones says that while the newer bands may look, and sound, different, what’s most important is that all generations remember the foundation of brass band music and that the profession should be taken seriously.