New Orleans musicians were acutely impacted by Hurricane Katrina, both personally and professionally. On a personal level, the city’s musicians dealt with the destruction of their homes and the total interruption of their lives, just like everyone else. But on a professional level, the musicians of New Orleans had to feel their way through how their music would reflect the moment.
Legendary trumpet player Kermit Ruffins told me that he lost his childhood home and many of the tangible memories inside. Kermit also talked about his first gig after the storm and the mixed emotions that ran through his body that night. But the lasting memory of that first gig after the storm was the joy of being on stage again and the idea that the people needed to hear him play again. They needed the music.
Curious about how Katrina’s impact affected the sound that came out of his horn? Kermit explained that the sound was part of who he was and all he had witnessed…