![\"\"](\"https:\/\/frenchmennotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/12246653_712974531722_6168903874936033444_n.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/frenchmennotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Headshot2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From Hannah:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am a working musician (piano, voice, trumpet), music director, and head of programs\/research for the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans<\/a>. In 2011, I realized that information on the history and economy of Frenchmen Street was not yet compiled anywhere and began looking up the history of each building and examining how zoning laws and other city processes had interacted with the organic growth of the ecosystem. In May 2016, I counted all the gigs that occurred on Frenchmen and then again quarterly in 2018 with support from the New Orleans Center for the Gulf South. I also interviewed musicians anonymously about the economic realities of how Frenchmen figured into making a living in music and wrote about my findings, which you can find in the History<\/a> and Numbers & Data<\/a> sections of the site.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n From Laura: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI used to work as a music journalist and radio show host, and people were always telling me beautiful, poignant, wild tales of times they\u2019d had on Frenchmen. By early 2019, I was feeling discouraged by the changes to the cultural landscape and decided to start recording these stories, and new ones. I sought old radio show guests out at their jobs, asked random passerby about their favorite Frenchmen memories, recorded stories I heard in local bars, etc. The vision was a sort of oral history collage of Frenchmen across the decades narrated by musicians, bartenders, music lovers, business owners, artists, hustlers, drinkers, cooks, shopkeepers, miscellaneous miscreants, people living at the \u201cOld Folks\u2019 Home\u201d on the corner \u2026 anyone with anything heartfelt to say. The hope is that in sharing these stories, we can celebrate them for their own sakes while also helping to cultivate whatever spirit of them remains.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to using the Community Input Portal<\/a> to submit your own stories and memories, please send questions, comments, suggestions, and other feedback to research@maccno.com<\/em> or laurajdefazio@gmail.com.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like to donate to Frenchmen Notes, all funds go through the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans 501(c)3, towards future interview stipends, transcription costs, and other research expenses. You can support this project by visiting MACCNO’s donation page here<\/a> and writing “Frenchmen Notes” in the note box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few of our favorite outside sources of information about Frenchmen Street and\/or New Orleans music….<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wavelength<\/a> – Wavelength New Orleans Music Magazine was founded by Connie Zeanah Atkinson and Patrick Berry in November 1980. View their rich archival trove via ScholarWorks UNO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Memories of Cafe Brasil facebook group<\/a> – Tons of old pictures to peruse, plus funny memories and anecdotes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frenchmen St. Live<\/a> – A great site promoting the music and culture of the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Closer Walk NOLA<\/a> – Interactive map of NO music history– learn and explore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jonathan Freilich’s interviews with New Orleans musicians!<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Valid Music Schedule<\/span> – send an email to Benjamin Lyons (interview forthcoming) join his weekly excellent newsletter detailing interesting local gigs: validrecords@yahoo.com<\/p>\n\n\n\nConnect with Frenchmen Notes:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Donate:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Additional Resources:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n