And jazzing it up today, we’re happy to sing the praises of New Orleans a wonderful musical world, on the occasion of it being awarded a UNESCO Creative City for Music award.
Nawlins, as the natives pronounce it, is, of course, known for its jazz.
And as the hometown of the great trumpeter Louis Armstrong.
But The Big Easy has also spawned Blues, R&B and Soul greats Fats Domino, Irma Thomas and Dr John and crooner Harry Connick Jnr.
While leading hip-hop light Lil Wayne has also brought the Big Easy sound into his music.
A-Z of Cultural Cities
It feels like an oversight that New Orleans is only now joining the 407-strong pantheon of cities globally.
From Abu Dhabi to Xalapa in Mexico.
And also including my home city of Glasgow and favourite English city of Liverpool.
Although they’ve yet to bestow a ‘Z’ so maybe time to step up Zurich.
New Orleans’ enrolment on World Cities Day 2025, sees it join Charlie Parker and Burt Bacharach’s back yard, Kansas City, Missouri.
The mantle of Creative City gives local musicians prestigious global recognition.
And opportunities with other named cities.
The Biggest Rock Band on Earth
Building on this designation, January will see New Orleans welcome the Biggest Rock Band on Earth.
Which we don’t have to tell you but is the Rockin’1000, to the US for the first time.
Having gained rave reviews across Europe.
To perform on the floor of the Caesars Superdome.
Rockin’1000 is a collection of 1,000 singers and musicians from around the world who perform in unison.
All of which is a Godsend for the New Orleans economy which means we can roll out our take… the cents come marching in.
And all that jazz
With apologies, of course, to the jazz exponents who have long entertained us in host American cities at the travel fair IPW.
When the New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band have marched us into their gatherings.
In time-honoured fashion then we’ll raise a brunch Sazerac to our friends in New Orleans.
And say, as a proud Glaswegian, welcome to the band.
