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| Music Video 'Intro' to New Orleans' Ninth Ward On September 4 at 10:30 pm, New York night-clubbers will see a rare Pre-Katrina view of NOLA's historic Ninth Ward at the New York debut of "Intro, " a concept music video by The Imprints. "Intro" will be shown at The Mercury Lounge before the popular New Orleans band Morning 40 Federation takes the stage. Built around the the New Orleans band, the Morning 40 Federation, and filmed six months before Katrina, "Intro" was planned as an affectionate welcome into the color, personalities and music of the Ninth Ward/Bywater neighborhood, a gritty area of pastel colored Creole cottages and shotgun house-lined streets. Katrina and its aftermath have since recast 'Intro" as a time capsule, a tribute, and a memorial. "Part of The Imprints' mission is to celebrate the diversity, color and richness of the Crescent City" said Bill Poznanski, writer/director of the video, and Artistic Director of The Imprints, a Neew York/New Orleans performance arts collective. "It's moving for us to see 'Intro" now because some of the people and places in it aren't around anymore. It's become a tribute to the spirit of the Ninth Ward and New Orleans that we hope will inspire New Yorkers to support New Orleans'rebirth." "Intro" will present to The Mercury Lounge a slice of Bywater never seen before and in some cases never to be seen again: Dr. Bob (of the iconic "Be Nice or Leave" signs); Okra The Fruit Man (whose huckster voice opens the video); the late Mr. P, the "Obi-Wan" of the Bywater; Markey's Bar; the Cane Rum Distillery; the Keep it Real Barber Shop and its late owner, Clifton, and more. The video climaxes with a second-line parade up Lesseps St. with the legendary Treme Brass Band, and the famous Pussyfooters Drill Team and, of course, the Morning 40 Federation Infamous in New Orleans for their bawdy lyrics, zany antics and explosive stage shows, the Morning 40 Federation is a high octane mix of dixieland jazz, vaudeville, circus music, punk, rhythm and blues, and 1970's style funk. Their style and their tenure as long time residents/advocates of the Ninth Ward made them the perfect choice to "Intro" their neighborhood to the world. "Intro" was directed by Bill Poznanski a.k.a. Bill Imprint, artistic director of The Imprints, a New York City/New Orleans based performance art group, now in their 26th year. The Imprints are dedicated to the cultural renewal of New Orleans. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |