Dear Listener,

It was the week before Christmas (Dec 19), and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Except for all five New Orleans City Council members, who introduced revisions to the city’s noise ordinance, lowering the levels of permissible sound in residential and commercial areas, as well as along an 8-block zone on Bourbon Street! The upper limits range from 70 decibels (dB) in residential zones to 85 dB on Bourbon Street.

Now, this ordinance is up for discussion at a meeting of the New Orleans Housing and Human Needs committee, open to the public Friday, January 17, noon, in the City Council Chambers. I understand that a rally in Duncan Plaza is planned one hour prior to the Committee hearing. The question du jour will be: When does loud music become a nuisance for neighbors or passers-by such that it needs to be regulated?

To be sure this is a thorny issue. Most folk don’t have a very good hold on exactly what a decibel is. Even though sound levels can be measured scientifically, the perception of loudness, we’ve been told by experts, can be subjective, depending on the relative sound levels of the environment. Ambient levels inside restaurants, much less performance venues, often range between 80 dB and 90 dB or higher. And that’s just a whole bunch of folk talking loud and having fun. Much like they do in night clubs.

Measurement of noise levels can vary significantly depending upon the direction in which the noise meter is pointed. Outside, which is where this ordinance is pointed, measuring ambient noise is even trickier. Since the ordinance proposes measuring sound levels at the property line from which the loudness is originating, how will those measuring account for the ebb and flow of other sources of noise in the area, or the constant coming and going from the busy performance venue being measured? The noise levels will surely rise every time the door to the club is opened.

Is the Council really ready to enforce the 85dB levels at the property line on Bourbon Street? Historically, very little has been done to enforce the current levels there, which are even higher. If Bourbon Street is not policed, where there are arguably the most egregious sound problems, why would it be fair to shut down a music club in another, less noisome area?

What about action movie sets, fireworks, New Years, Mardi Gras, French Quarter Fest, Decadence, White Linen Night, Jazz Fest, Music in the Square, Halloween, Christmas in the District or any outdoor event where massive crowds gather?  What decibel level do these crowds generate?  What about the Navy and Coast Guard flyovers?  And the garbage pick-up in the mornings (every night in the French Quarter) and street sweepers at night to ensure the streets are clean? And the police warning sirens?

Most importantly, will there be unintended consequences resulting from this proposed action? The general buzz from the letters that have flooded my mailbox seems to be that this ordinance could threaten our exuberantly celebratory musical way of life.

A writer for in the Wall Street Journal (Larry Blumenfeld) advises his readers: If you care about New Orleans music—If you think cultural life in cities amounts to more than simply “cultural economy”—If you value fairness and due process in local governance—you should read up on this situation.

Better yet, attend the meeting on Friday noon in the City Council Chambers.

Yours in po-boys and joyous noise,

David Freedman
General Manager

We're all about Jazz Fest, so we're extremely excited about the recent release of the 2014 lineup. This year's edition of the world's best music fest happens April 25-May 4 (WWOZ's Piano Night will be on April 28). Along with a host of local favorites, some others acts that caught our attention include Keb’ Mo’, Chick Corea & the Vigil, John Hiatt, and Robert Plant & the Sensational Space Shifters.

 » 'OZ's 2014 Jazz Fest coverage

 » Get a Brass Pass for 2014

Carnival 2014 kicked off on January 6 with the Phunny Phorty Phellows streetcar ride and the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc's annual procession in the Quarter. Meanwhile, a gathering wave of purple, green, and gold is getting ready to sweep across South Louisiana. So get to work on that costume and save some King Cake for us.

» Carnival 2014

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation presents two Jazz Journey concerts. First, an MLK weekend show on January 17 at Dillard's Lawless Memorial Chapel, at which world-famous post-bop saxophone legend Kenny Garrett and his quintet will perform, as will singer/songwriter/guitarist Raul Midón. It's free, with no advance tickets. Seating is by general admission. 'OZ will broadcast this event live.

» Kenny Garrett and Raul Midón

On February 6, the legendary jazz musicians Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding and Leo Genovese will perform together as a once-in-a-lifetime ensemble known as The Spring Quartet. Check the Foundation's site for the latest on ticket availability. If you can't go, be sure to tune into our live broadcast.

» The Spring Quartet

OZ's show hosts (fifteen of them, anyway) have made their lists (and checked them twice!) of the favorite records of 2013. As we begin 2014, let those in the know help you fine-tune your collection of great tunes.

» See 'OZ Hosts' favorites from 2013

On January 23, the Newman School Jazz Band will become the latest to visit WWOZ for "Cuttin' Class", a series of live in-studio performances by middle and high school age students in celebration of music education in the Greater New Orleans area, made possible by Coventry and Aetna.

» More "Cuttin' Class"

No doubt all WWOZ listeners know about the Louisiana Music Factory, but did you know that WWOZ members get 10% off every purchase? Or that we share a founding father? Or that Louisiana Music Factory is moving to Frenchmen Street and WWOZ Swamp Shop is moving in?

» Learn more about Louisiana Music Factory

We're happy to share a test (or Beta) version of a new streaming player for wwoz.org, which enhances the experience of listening to WWOZ online. It uses a responsive design, so it will adapt to a wide variety of screen sizes, and it's based on HTML5 rather than Flash, so it will work on Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad, as well as other modern operating systems and devices. Check it out at the link below, and tell us any problems or comments at help@wwoz.org.

» Test drive our new streaming player

The dish, from Chef Amy Cyrex Sins of Langlois Culinary Crossroads, combines fresh local fish, citrus, and fresh vegetables. Per Chef Amy, it's "perfect for this time of year because it bridges the winter and spring seasons. We’re currently in citrus season.... This is also a great spring dish, as once you have those beautiful fresh vegetables–asparagus and peas–you can combine it with the preserved lemon in the risotto. It’s the perfect way to get two seasons out of your produce."

» Recipe: Preserved Lemon Risotto & Market Fish