To date the Foundation has given grants to twenty artists in four rounds of Grant funding and was also the recipient of a grant to help produce the musical adaptation of Dan Baum’s book ‘Nine Lives’, a project by Paul Sanchez and Coleman DeKay.

We will keep the information on all of our grant projects updated here, so please visit us often.

We also invite you to become a member of the Foundation to assist us in raising the funds to provide grants, and to receive regular updates on our activities.

For information on applying for a grant from the Foundation please contact Amy Potter:

Email amy.wallace.potter@gmail   Tel: (208) 270-1729

________________________________________________________________________________

Buddy Mann Memorial Grant

Fais Do Do Concert Series

The Foundation is pleased to sponsor  the Fais Do Do Concert Series at the Maison on Frenchman Street with the inaugural Buddy Mann Memorial Grant.  Lee Brundage came up with the concept of the concert series back in 2010. He wanted to provide a place for music, dancing and family fun while also helping Cajun and Zydeco bands get increased exposure and find new fans. Six Fais Do Dos were produced in 2010 and five more in 2012.  During each concert, two bands provide three hours of nonstop music from two stages late in the afternoon.  Admission is free and the concerts continue to grow in popularity.

________________________________________________________________________________

Guardians of the Flame

The Guardians of the Flame was established in 1988 by second generation Mardi Gras Indian, the late Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr. The multi-generational group is dedicated to the authentic preservation and presentation of the Mardi Gras Indian tradition, and is is known for its soulful songs, spirited dancing and spectacular ritual attire.  With the grant proceeds, the Guardians of the Flame will produce an original Mardi Gras Indian interactive performance art musical that will feature historical facts, authentic music, ritual attire, protocols and artists from the tradition.  The musical will give theatergoers an inside glimpse of what happens 24 hours prior to the group’s Mardi Gras procession by actively engaging them in the production.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Community Center of Saint Bernard

Grant funding will support the production of a multi-media “Blues in da Parish Festival” CD featuring original songs from the musicians who will perform at the next Blues in da Parish Festival to be held during October 2013 in St Bernard Parish, Louisiana.  The CD will also include video interviews with blues musicians, historians and New Orleans Blues Society members about the cultural significance of New Orleans Blues music.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Carlo Nuccio

In the years since “Continental Drifters,” and his last solo effort “Loose Strings”, Carlo has been producing and playing with many other artists. Grant funds will provide him the opportunity to bring some of the songs he’s been writing during that period to life.  It’s been fourteen years since Carlo’s last endeavor and with this new release he looks forward to bringing new material to those who have supported him in the past, and also to  making new friends through music.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Ruby Rendrag

Ruby’s musical roots are all New Orleans. She grew up in Kenner playing guitar with her five brothers and has never stopped making her own style of music.  Ruby has been visualizing this new album for the last two years been and is thrilled it’s now being realized. It will feature ten fully produced original songs, and feature outstanding New Orleans musicians including Mark Mullins, Craig Klein and Jimmy Robinson. Music Shed Studios engineer, Kyle Lamy (who is currently on hiatus as music supervisor for Tremé), will be recording and Ben Lorio will mix the album.  This long awaited album will be produced with assistance from grant funds, and is expected to be complete by March or April of 2013.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Calvin Johnson, Jr.

‘My New Orleans’ is the latest studio project by Calvin Johnson Jr. It is a tribute to his musical lineage and heritage received within the great city of New Orleans.  Steeped in the traditional sounds of New Orleans Jazz, this project will be a testimony to Calvin’s personal interpretation of New Orleans’ culture.  Calvin will utilize an open hall format of recording to convey to the listener the feel of an ‘on-the-scene’ presence which is characteristic of the improvisational genius of many of this City’s traditional jazz greats.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Jay Mazza

Jay’s latest project, “Not Just Another Thursday Night: Kermit Ruffins and Vaughan’s Lounge” is an affectionate portrait of the legendary Bywater nightspot where Ruffins honed his solo act after his departure from the Rebirth Brass Band.  The book features a detailed history of the club and includes spirited quotes from Ruffins, members of his band, the BBQ Swingers, and fans that were present in the early days of the Thursday night gigs.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Lynn Drury

An undeniable talent and a passionate performer, Lynn brings wonderful imagery to her compositions that seemingly transports all who listen to another time and place. Born in Yazoo City, her sound combines the grit of her native Mississippi with the funky grooves of her adopted home of New Orleans.  As a long-time resident and representative of the New Orleans musical community, Lynn continues to be inspired by the music and heritage of the city, and will record 10 or more of her new original compositions with the grant proceeds.

Shotgun
Bob Andrews

An audio CD of 11 original songs by New Orleans musicians adapted from the text of a soon to be published book, ‘Shotgun’, celebrating the unique shotgun architecture of New Orleans neighborhoods.  To learn more about Shotgun click here.

The Chartres Street Monkey
Brad Dupont Blanchard

Blanchard’s second illustrated book, ‘The Chartres Street Monkey’ is accompanied by a CD interlaced with swamp poetry and songs. For more about The Chartres Street Monkey click here.

The Gravy
Elsa Hahne

In this project, which includes a book and CD, Elsa will take us on a culinary adventure into the kitchens of 46 New Orleans musicians who will tell their stories and share their recipes.  For more about The Gravy click here.

Women, Women, Women
Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses

This CD is centered on audio interviews of women from our grandmothers’ generation who lived through the 30s and 40s, and will consist of original arrangements mixed with some standards from that era.  For more about Women, Women, Women click here.

Up Front and Center – New Orleans Music at the End of the 20th Century
Jay Mazza

A fascinating look at the history of the music scene in New Orleans during the last two decades of the 1900s.  For more information on Jay’s project click here.

Bayou Maharajah
Lily Keber

Bayou Maharajah is a fascinating feature-length video documentary on the life and music of New Orleans piano legend James Booker. Click here to read more about Bayou Maharajah

COOT  –  DEBUT CD

COOT has been playing their New Orleans inspired music for more than 15 years and the popular band’s debut CD features more than a dozen original songs. Click here to read more about COOT

Ernie Vincent Presents ‘The KOLAB Kollection’
Bill Bowman

The KOLAB Kollection will comprise a number of restored and re-mastered recordings from Ernie Vincent’s personal archives. Click here to read more about Ernie Vincent Presents ‘The KOLAB Kollection’

17 Days
Panorama Brass Band

17 Days is a unique CD celebrating brass band music from many different cultures recorded during Carnival Season 2010 performed by the Panorama Brass Band of New Orleans. Click here to read more about 17 Days

Sugar on the Floor
Lynn Drury

Produced and arranged by Carlo Nuccio, ‘Sugar on the Floor’, is a new work of 11 original compositions by Lynn Drury. Click here to read more about Sugar on the Floor

New Orleans Helsinki Connection
Untitled CD

New Orleans Helsinki Connection is a New Orleans based band playing traditional New Orleans jazz with a modern flavor. Click here to read more about New Orleans Helsinki Connection

Mumbo Gumbo
Olivia Greene

‘Mumbo Gumbo’ by Olivia Greene and Friends celebrates the diverse and unique musical culture of New Orleans. Click here to read more about Mumbo Gumbo

Nine Lives the Musical
Paul Sanchez and Colman deKay

A wonderful and unique musical adaptation of the book, Nine Lives, by Dan Baum. Click here to read more about Nine Lives the Musical