Groove Interrupted: Loss Renewal and the Music of New Orleans

The recent history of New Orleans is fraught with tragedy and triumph. Both are reflected in the citys vibrant idiosyncratic music community. In Keith Speras intimately reported Groove Interrupted Aaron Neville returns to New Orleans for the first time after Hurricane Katrina to bury his wife. Fats Domino improbably rambles around Manhattan to promote a post-Katrina tribute CD. Alex Chilton lives anonymously in a battered cottage in the Treme neighborhood. Platinum-selling rapper Mystikal rekindles his career after six years in prison. Jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard struggles to translate Katrina into music. The spotlight also shines on Allen Toussaint Pete Fountain Gatemouth Brown the Rebirth Brass Band Phil Anselmo Juvenile Jeremy Davenport and the 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. With heartache hope humor and resolve each of these contemporary narratives stands on its own. Together they convey that the funky syncopated spirit of New Orleans music is unbreakable in spite of Katrinas interruption.