Sunday, January 26, 2014

New Orleans Jazz Musician Brutally Beaten Needs Help

There is no other city in the world like New Orleans.

All too often these days when we hear "New Orleans" we think "Katrina."  The association is probably unavoidable for some years to come, but there is so much more to New Orleans, of course.

Part of what I love about New Orleans is the music.  The food is great, but the music is the heartbeat of the city.  New Orleans jazz has a special place in my heart.

If you want to know what New Orleans sounds like, check out this video of the Steamboat Willie Jazz band playing at Cafe Beignet:



You see that bass player in the back?  He needs a little help right now.

The bass player is Doug Potter and he was savagely beaten after leaving his regular Cafe Beignet gig last Monday night.  Now he is comatose in a New Orleans hospital with a feeding tube; they had to drill holes in his skull to relieve the pressure.   By all accounts Potter is a fine man and much beloved by everyone.  He was just walking to his car to meet his wife after work when he was attacked.  The New Orleans police have arrested one of the thugs who did this and are looking for another one.

Meanwhile, Potter's medical bills are mounting.  His friends are trying to help with fundraising benefits.  You can read more about that here.

If you have any spare change and are looking for a good deed to do, consider tossing a few bucks Potter's way.  An account has been set up at Capital One for Doug.  You can call the branch in the French Quarter at 504-533-3586.

It would be a nice thing to do.

(Photo credit:  Brenda Mannon via NOLA.)

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