New Orleans' Frame of Mind (Photo Essay)

We love jazz, we love watching people and we love jambalaya. What better reasons to take a break on our long drive west and soak up some culture? I also love taking photos, so here are a few of our favorite moments in New Orleans… starting at the riverwalk along the muddy, meandering Mississippi River …

A ship transits the muddy meandering Mississippi in the fog.

Hopeful Louie Armstrong wannabees all along the riverwalk by the Mississippi, along with a variety of other street artists and musicians.

Two young Louie Armstrong hopefuls playing along the Mississippi Riverwalk

Selfie with the muddy meandering Mississippi – we love rivers … and bodies of water, must be the Commuter Cruisers in us…

Visit the National Park Service Historical Jazz Park – the only national park devoted to the preservation of music. Take the daily free ranger tour if you get a chance – wonderful hour’s overview of the history of jazz with some history of New Orleans mixed in.

Did you know that Hugh Hefner was crucial to racial musical equality in New Orleans? Back in the heyday of private Playboy Clubs, the New Orleans Playboy Club Manager decided to go against the law and hire the best musicians for his clientele. Back then apparently black musicians were not allowed to play for a white audience (how stupid – think of all we would have missed!). He was sued by the State of Louisiana for breaking the law. According to legend, the manager had to call Hugh Hefner and state his case, saying “I only want the best musicians” — Hugh Hefner’s response? “Not to worry my friend, I have better lawyers.” Sure enough Hugh Hefner won and the State of Louisiana was forced to allow black musicians to play for white audiences. THANKS HEF! 🙂

Back to photos …

At the National Park Service Jazz Historical Park Visitor Center.

Street Music on Royal St served with smiles!

Above – I love that street musicians seem to truly love performing for anyone willing to stop and watch. More smiles and lots of fun with this guy below our balcony dinner view at Royal House.

My 2nd favorite street “entrepreneur”

My favorite street “entrepreneur”? A young guy sitting on the sidewalk with a sign and a bucket that said “Too Ugly To Strip” – lots of grins — and bucks in the bucket — from passers-by.

Mardi Gras Beads for sale everywhere

Don’t forget, Royal Street for street musicians and Frenchmen Street for great club music!

Loving the street music on Royal Street (one block south of Bourbon Street)

What better place to people watch than from a balcony over Bourbon Street sipping wine — in the middle of the afternoon, we’re such rebels!

Royal Street or Frenchmen Street may be better for music, but Bourbon Street has it all for people watching – especially from a balcony while sipping wine!

We saw more than just these boobies strolling Bourbon Street!