Jazz in Nawlins for the Katrina Anniversary

Jazz Times Magazine has an article on some of the Katrina anniversary events taking place today and tomorrow. Should tickets still be available for the event tomorrow evening it looks as though trumpeter Wynton Marsalis will be performing live. Having joined forces with Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Marsalis, a United Nations Messenger of Peace organized the three day event and concert aims to build and promote a stronger and more beautiful New Orleans. You can show your support by either purchasing a ticket to the show or donating separately. I’d go for the music, but I like all that jazz and New Orleans too.

Le REX Hotel

A lucky little poot of a friend of mine gets whisked away to France for the Jazz in Marciac festival to play with Wynton Marsalis and does me the favor of sending this link to Le REX Hôtel where he is presently camping out. Hisssss… Boo! Puh! No, no, what I mean is I’m happy for him. Really! With the link he states that the hotel is some thing rather amazing and from that point I found myself whisked away with the link.

Le REX Hôtel looks like one of those ultra design pads with neon glowing lights, see-through bathrooms, and extremely chic furniture from the bedroom to the lobby. If I were strolling along the outside the exterior would certainly have me wondering what the interior was like. Located at 10, cours Gambetta in Tarbes (the heart of the Pyrenees) other amenities and room features include sound-proof rooms, flat-screen TV, satellite channels, ADSL & WiFi, minibar, around the clock room service and shoe-shining service just to give you an idea.

Although virtually traveling to the place wasn’t so bad, I’d definitely say it seems worth checking out online and checking in if/when/while in France.

Jazz in Marciac

Summer and France are almost synonymous for many Americans who can’t possibly fathom braving the country through the winter when most of the French natives are running about. Additionally, summer is probably the only time most Americans have time for travel or are allowed their one week of play during the rest of the 365 days. Whatever your reasons, if you find yourself meandering from café to park to outdoor concert in search of the next big, cool thing to do during your French summer days and nights check out the Jazz in Marciac festival.

The festival, in its 29th year, runs July 31, 2006 – August 15, 2006 and includes musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Roberto Fonseca, Herbie Hancock, Omara Portuondo, Jaime Cullum, Jeff Hamilton, Ile au Jazz, and Jean-Jacques Milteau to name only a few. Having had a small sampling of what’s in store from Richard Johnson (playing piano with Wynton Marsalis) I’d make sure to mark August 11, 2006 on your concert planner at the very least. I might have to make a last minute jaunt to France myself for this one and another during cooler temps, of course.

See the full schedule of events here.