USA Today: The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience: Right Place, Right Time, & Right People to Honor America’s Cradle of Music
Ivan Neville performing at NOLA Funk Fest 2024
From USA Today | November 7, 2024 | The vibrant soul of Louisiana emanates the state’s essence of freedom, unbridled self-expression, and creativity. Its unique energy opens the doors to indulgence, from classic dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets to a vibrant musical scene, where the melodies of jazz, blues, and funk fill the French Quarter’s streets and every inch of every bayou, honoring Louisiana’s rich music history and diverse influences.
In this place, the past meets the present in a beautiful cultural symphony of rhythms, flavors, and colors, which, together, foster a truly eclectic world, a paradise for artists, dreamers, and innovators. Often associated with jazz and homegrown Cajun cooking, Louisiana’s contributions to American music history are undoubtedly much more. The birthplace of jazz, zydeco, rock n’ roll, swamp pop, Cajun, and many others, local artistry has inspired other genres spanning blues, country, hip-hop, and gospel, defining the country’s sound beyond imagination.
To honor this state’s rich cultural and music history, a collective of noted historians, artists, educators, and producers, gathered to develop The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience (LMHE), a comprehensive, immersive music museum designed to preserve and celebrate Louisiana's unparalleled heritage. With a blend of art displays, live music, and interactive, tech-powered exhibitions, LMHE promises to amplify Louisiana’s story, echoing its value and power throughout the rest of the nation and beyond.
