Armstrong Park, which is located on the edge of the French Quarter in the historic Tremé neighborhood, has been through a rough several years. But now the park is looking great and is beginning to percolate with the sounds of the city.
From 5-7:30 PM this evening, a true son of the Tremé, James Andrews, will inaugurate a new music series featuring local musicians. Andrews grew up in the surrounding neighborhood and given that his nickname is “Satchmo of the Ghetto” is a perfect fit with the concept behind the series that is organized by a new group called People United for Armstrong Park.
It may have gone unnoticed in some circles, but there is a grand irony afoot concerning the Tremé neighborhood. The area, which is one of oldest black neighborhoods in the country, is simultaneously experiencing unprecedented media attention through the highly acclaimed namesake HBO series and unparalleled gentrification. As the neighborhood is celebrated for its role in the development of jazz in New Orleans, live music is disappearing from the neighborhood. Newcomers have driven out all of the clubs and complain about music in the streets including during age-old traditions associated with jazz funerals.
So it’s great to see a new group trying to bring back the music. The series continues on April 19 with another son of Tremé, Glen David Andrews, and two of the many musicians featured on the show, Kermit Ruffins on April 26 and Donald Harrison, Jr. on May 10.
