On our recent trip to New Orleans, we explored Treme. If you're not familiar with NOLA, you might recognize this neighborhood from the TV show. Exotic, colorful, music-infused Treme was home base for many jazz icons--Alphonse Picou, Shannon Walker, Kermit Ruffins, Trombone Shorty, Tuba Fats. That's only the ones I recognize. There are many more bands and players.Louis Armstrong Park on Rampart, honors legends Sidney Bechet, Mahalia Jackson, Wynton Marsalis, and its namesake Armstrong. Famed Basin Street, of Basin Street Blues, runs through the Treme.
Treme was particularly hard hit by Hurricane Katrina. All around are reminders. Foliage sprouted from flood water still grows on some buildings, like modern Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The original Mahalia Jackson Theater for Performing Arts was drowned in 14 feet of water. A new theater opened in 2009. Some areas still await clean up. Others are gone. Blessed Kwanzaa Ceremony, Congo Square New Orleans Treme Neighborhood
