UP FROM THE STREETS New Orleans: The City of Music

For New Orleanians, music is a way of life and the foundation of their cultural resilience. Eagle Rock Entertainment and Michael Murphy Productions, Inc. present Up From The Streets: New Orleans: The City of Music, a feature length documentary that showcases the culture of New Orleans through the lens of music. Hosted by Oscar nominee and six-time Grammy Winner Terence Blanchard, the film tells stories of music as a vehicle to help battle racial injustices, unite people in good times and bad, and how music continues to be a vital form of expression today. 

Once you purchase an “e-ticket” for $12, you will be sent a link & password to view the film at home. Your purchase supports one of 50 local movie theaters nationwide (available here), as well as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Jazz & Heritage Music Relief Fund, a statewide relief initiative that supports New Orleans and Louisiana musicians who have lost income due to the pandemic. The ticket order is good for 7 days, and viewers will have 72 hours to watch the film once they’ve started watching it.

Enjoy this engaging, award-winning documentary about the most unique U.S. city, New Orleans!

UP FROM THE STREETS New Orleans: The City of Music - Virtual Release May 15th

For New Orleanians, music is a way of life and the foundation of their cultural resilience. Eagle Rock Entertainment and Michael Murphy Productions, Inc. present Up From The Streets: New Orleans: The City of Music, a feature length documentary that showcases the culture of New Orleans thru the lens of music. Hosted by Oscar nominee and six-time Grammy Winner Terence Blanchard, the film tells stories of music as a vehicle to help battle racial injustices, unite people in good times and bad, and how music continues to be a vital form of expression today. 

Beginning May 15, you will be able to buy a ticket to a virtual cinema release of Up From The Streets ®: New Orleans: The City of Music, the celebrated New Orleans documentary. Viewers will buy a $12 ticket from a local cinema and watch the film at home, allowing them to support one of 50 local movie theaters nationwide (available here), as well as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Jazz & Heritage Music Relief Fund, a statewide relief initiative that supports New Orleans and Louisiana musicians who have lost income due to the pandemic.The ticket order is good for 7 days, and viewers will have 72 hours to watch the film once they’ve started watching it.

Enjoy this engaging, award-winning documentary about the most unique U.S. city, New Orleans!

504LIFEstream - Fundraiser for New Orleans area hospitals and clinics on 5/4

Monday, 5/04 at 5:04pm NOLA time (3:04pm L.A. time) 504LIFE will livestream a telethon event featuring local luminaries and stars from around the world who love New Orleans.

504Life raises funds to purchase and deliver lifesaving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for New Orleans area hospitals and clinics. Foundation for Louisiana will serve as the benefit’s non-profit financial sponsor. 

The confirmed guest list includes Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Peyton, Eli, Cooper & Archie Manning, Nicole Kidman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mannie Fresh, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Batiste, Tank and the Bangas, Big Freedia, Juvenile, Rebirth Brass Band and many more.

https://m.twitch.tv/sofakingfest/profile

https://www.facebook.com/504LIFEstream/photos/a.102338301442711/120231209653420/?type=3

Celebrating the Birthday of Cosimo Matassa

Record producer Cosimo Matassa was born in New Orleans on April 13, 1926, and opened the J&M Recording Studio in 1945 at the age of 18, at the back of his family's shop on Rampart Street. In 1955, he moved to the larger Cosimo Recording Studio on Gov. Nichols Street, nearby in the French Quarter.

Matassa was crucial to the development of the sound of R&B, rock and soul of the 1950s and 1960s, often working as an engineer with producers Dave Bartholomew and Allen Toussaint. He recorded many hits, including Fats Domino’s "The Fat Man" (a contender for the first rock and roll record), Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti", and records by Ray Charles, Dr. John and many others. He was responsible for developing what became known as the New Orleans sound, with strong drums, heavy guitar and bass, heavy piano, light horns and a strong vocal lead.

Matassa retired from the music business in the 1980s to manage the family's food store, Matassa's Market, in the French Quarter. In 2007, Matassa was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, and was also given a Grammy Trustees Award that same year. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Blues Hall of Fame in 2013.

Cosimo Matassa passed away on September 11, 2014, aged 88, in New Orleans, but his musical legacy lives on forever. Today we celebrate him and all he gave music fans worldwide.