Jazz and Heritage Festival to raise funds for New Orleans musicians

The US Bank St. Louis Jazz and Heritage Festival, scheduled for Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24 at Shaw Park in Clayton, will team up with the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund during this year's event to help New Orleans performers displaced by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent floods.

The NOMHRF was founded by Benjamin and Sarah Jaffe of New Orleans' famed Preservation Hall, and dsitributes grants to individuals and institutions to help musicians re-establish their careers in New Orleans and to fund ongoing musical projects in the city. Ben Jaffe and the Preservation Hall Jazz band will play at the festvial at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, and NOMHRF will have a booth onsite selling t-shirts and soliciting donations. There will also be collection canisters placed in the concession areas, with all funds donated going to NOMHRF.

I think anyone reading this is probably already in favor of charitable efforts to assist New Orleans musicians and help the Crescent City get back on its feet again. So, this is a chance to do a good thing. If you're planning to attend the festival, please give serious consideration to buying a shirt or dropping a few bucks in the jar. If you'd like to donate but can't attend, or would like to know more about the NOMHRF, visit their Web site.