New Orleans Musician Reflects on Hurricane Katrina 20 Years Later

The Lingering Impact of Katrina

• 💔 Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are still remembering the devastating landfall.
• 👃 A particularly shocking memory for musician Michael Harris was the persistent "smell of death in the air" following the storm.
• 🏠 Harris, who grew up in the Lower Ninth Ward, returned home to find his house destroyed, with only a piece of paper and a license plate as salvaged belongings.

Music as Therapy and Healing

• 🎶 Music, deeply ingrained in New Orleans' soul, stopped during Katrina but was essential for the city's rebirth.
• 💡 For Michael Harris, music served as therapy and release during the darkest times, helping him process mixed emotions and fostering gratitude.
• 🤝 The return of music venues and events like Jazz Fest provided collective healing and much-needed economic support to the community.

Rebuilding and Resilience

• 🏘️ Musicians Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr. partnered with Habitat for Humanity to create Musicians Village, providing housing for musicians who lost their homes, aiming to preserve the city's unique musical culture.
• 📍 Michael Harris now lives in Musicians Village, embodying the resilience and determination to return and rebuild in New Orleans.
• 🌟 The city's recovery is ongoing, characterized by resilience and the enduring spirit of its people, as symbolized by the return of music and community gatherings.

The Role of Music in Recovery

• 🎺 Second line parades, like the one marking the 20th anniversary, represent a way for the community to celebrate life and heal through music.
• 🎤 The reopening of music venues, such as The Spotted Cat, offered spaces for bonding and healing after the storm.
• 💰 The return of Jazz Fest significantly boosted the community by bringing live music and much-needed financial infusion.