Past events and accomplishments

May 2001 - “VISUALIZING THE BLUES: THE BLUES HIGHWAY ~ NEW ORLEANS TO MEMPHIS

Blues Symposium Tuesday & Wednesday, May 1 & 2, 2001

Contemporary Arts Center 900 Camp St., New Orleans “VISUALIZING THE BLUES: The Blues Highway ~ New Orleans to Memphis”, a Blues Symposium, was presented by the New Orleans Blues Project and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, in association with New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center, in relation to The Ogden Museum’s presentation of the photo exhibition of “Visualizing the Blues ~ Images of the American South”, on exhibit 4/29 - 7/15/2001.

The first day of the symposium, (Tuesday, May 1, 2001) presented by the Ogden Museum, included panel discussions entitled “What is the Blues” and “Blues and Photography”.

The second day of the symposium, (Wednesday, May 2, 2001) was presented by the New Orleans Blues Project with a Community Grant from The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Inc., sponsorship from Entergy, in-kind sponsorship assistance from the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, and assistance from Dillard University. The Blues Project’s presentation of the symposium was in keeping with the Millennium Trails theme to “Honor the Past ~ Imagine the Future”.

The symposium included the following panels:
Blues: Voices from the Backstreets”, a discussion of Blues as the voice of America’s workingclass; the day’s second panel, “Raising a Ruckus”, focused on the role music and culture can play as agents for social transformation and community revitalization in relation to the region’s emerging ‘cultural economy.

The New Orleans Blues Project's presentation of the symposium was in keeping with the goals and purposes of the Blues Project, by providing an opportunity for a forum and discussion of ideas and issues relevant to the blues and roots music community, and others working within the creative/cultural sector.

Panelists included musicians, music industry professionals, writers, and community activists,included: Edwin Hawkins, Attorney, Master P/No Limit Records; Kalamu Ya Salaam, writer; Steve Cheseborough, journalist, author of music and travel guide “Holy Sites of Delta Blues; James B. Borders, III, arts & culture consultant; Chris Thomas King, musician/actor, son of Baton Rouge blues man Tabby Thomas - also appeared as legendary blues man Tommy Johnson in 2000 Coen Brothers film, “Oh Brother Where Art Though”; Richard Johnston, musician, winner of the Blues Foundation’s 2001 International Blues Talent competition; Tommy Rosen, V.P., Paralex Marketing, San Francisco, CA;

On Monday, April 30, 2001 , the Monday after the first weekend of the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the New Orleans Blues Project held a press conference and Blues Project Jam at New Orleans’ Hard Rock Cafe, announcing the New Orleans Blues Project, programs and initiatives, and participating artists; (** Include photos** )

October 2000 - BLUES HIGHWAY Millennium Trail stage at 9th annual Jeff fest, Lafreniere Park, Metairie;

June 2000 - Received Millennium Trail designation for the BLUES HIGHWAY, naming the New Orleans Blues Project as the managing organization; began development of conceptual aspects - as a music and cultural economic development initiative and a tourism development initiative;

May 1999 - Submitted proposal to White House Millennium Council for Millennium Trails designation for the BLUES HIGHWAY as an historical, conceptual and physical trail that runs the length of the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Chicago, linking communities with a shared blues music heritage;

November 1999 - Collaborated with Mexico’s Alter Pop, music and concert promoters, to present two concerts at Mexico City’s Salon 21 featuring New Orleans artists Deacon John and Paula Rangell;