Overcast weather couldn’t keep the joy out of the music being played by Rumba Buena, a New Orleans band who generously dished out songs in the styles of salsa, merengue, bachata, and cumbia last Tuesday, Oct. 10.
In celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, the New Orleans Jazz Museum is offering a series of free concerts featuring Latinx artists. The museum is located in the historic US mint building at Frenchmen and Esplanade and has a balcony that overlooks a courtyard. It’s the perfect place for any musician to play. Or at this event, 11 of them at once.
As they pounded out the tunes to the people below, all generations gathered to listen. Children danced with their parents, the old with good friends, and many just sat on the grass and enjoyed the show. It was a good time for everyone, and all there got to inhabit themselves a little bit more. Lucky we are to have musicians who direct all their ferocity toward their art and let us hear the results.
Hispanic Heritage Month has been recognized by the federal government since 1968, corresponding with the independence days of Latin American countries. It’s meant to be a time for recognizing and celebrating the history of Latinx people in the US.
At the end of the day, this music was well appreciated. “Stellar,” said a local artist who was in attendance. “I couldn’t keep my feet still while I was drawing.”
While this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is over, the Jazz Museum will continue with its “Live From the Balcony” events, as well as its Nola Funk Fest, on Oct. 20-22.
