The Heartbeat of New Orleans: Musicians and their Importance for the Survival of Post-Katrina New Orleans

Abstract

Hurricane Katrina left its traces in New Orleans and also in the music community of New Orleans. This thesis shows the change in vulnerability for the music community that occurred after Katrina. The musicians realized their importance for the culture and the (cultural) economy of New Orleans. They create a sense of place for themselves and the people of New Orleans. It is argued in this thesis that the creation of a sense of place and the change in vulnerability of the musicians are part of a process that can be described as a ‘reinvention of the self’ and consequently results in a reinvention of the music community.