Day to Day Work of NOLA's Royal Family of Music, the Batistes, Continues Call for Healing Via Music

NEW ORLEANS - Jan. 2, 2022 - PRLog -- POSTED COURTESY OF WRIGHT ENTERPRISES SAN FRANCISCO~DALLAS COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT~~~

Navigating the changing dynamics of this pandemic altered world, Damon Batiste continues the drumbeat of the message of the "healing power of music."  With his recent December 2021 visit to South Africa in the rear view mirror (his 82^nd visit to Africa) and a vision to return as early as March of 2022, Batiste continues his clarion call to engage arts and culture trade for the purposes of commerce and healing of hearts.

Last January (https://www.prlog.org/12854159) Batiste and his father David Batiste, who is in the Louisiana Hall of Fame, joined with legendary Beale Street businessman and visionary, Tommy Peters to start on their trajectory to bring on the healing via music.  Unfortunately, Peters passed away in September (https://www.prlog.org/12884984) after battling COVID-19, yet the importance of his message of music being important to both commerce and the spirit continues.

"I think our January 1, 2021 response to 2020 is even more significant and important as we have seen the loss of too many musicians, artists and just everyday people in our nation and the world," said Damon Batiste, Cultural Ambassador and Founder of NOSACONN Inc. "Tommy's passing along with so many here at home and abroad broke our hearts; but we are inspired by their lives to do the best we can moving forward."

As proclaimed at the beginning of 2021, the healing power of music had its impact.  One indicator is to look at the music produced by New Orleans Royal Family of Music and the Grammy competition.  There were a number of Batistes that were in consideration for Grammy Awards and drumroll please, Batiste's first cousin, 2021 Academy Award Oscar winner Jon Batiste is up for 11 Grammy Awards (64th Annual Grammy Awards, January 31, 2022 hosted by South African Comedian Trevor Noah in Los Angeles).  "We are so proud of Jon," said David Batiste, uncle of the Late Night with Stephen Colbert, music director.  "Every weeknight we see New Orleans and our family represented, bringing healing to the world one note at a time. It's great to see Jon lift up one of my signature instruments, the melodica carrying on the family's traditions."

"We proud of New Orleans' musicians, period," added the younger Batiste. As New Orleans was well represented in the consideration of Grammy Awards New Orleans has such a strong tradition starting with Congo Square to Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson to the Nevilles, the Marsalis' and other great talents.  NOSACONN is working to make sure that the worldwide impact that started with the sound of New Orleans' call and response sound that echoes around the world continues its reverberation," added Damon.

Affirmation of the Batistes' collaborations and community work came as Eric Cager at the 29th Annual Cutting Edge Music Business Conference presented David Batiste and Damon Batiste with the 2021 Music Influencer of the Year Award.

Working on upcoming projects between the City of New Orleans and Senegal; commerce based cultural exchange between New Orleans and Durban; Batiste, who was not hindered by the news of the Omicron variant attended the 18^th Annual KCAP KwaZulu Natal African Film Festival in December 2021 (https://www.prlog.org/12896341) as a catalyst point for new work in Mozambique and Senegal along with South Africa.

One added note, Batiste arranged the screening of  the independent feature documentary "The Opera Game," at KCAP KAFF.  "The Opera Game" director Monty Ross and producers, medical doctors Ken Mask and Greg Ward were part of a virtual Q&A with the youthful audience, who found the film fascinating. "The Opera Game," a historical feature film, examines the night of Paul Morphy's untimely and mysterious death in post-Civil War New Orleans. The savant genius and world chess champion's exciting and dynamic life is reviewed.

"The healing power of music" will not only generate fun but also purpose with weekly social entertainment events at JAS Venue to create local economic development as one example. "The JAS Venue and Damon Batiste have Joined forces to bring some of the most entertaining musicians as well as a professional sociable Venue to the city of New Orleans," said Reanee Dupree, owner of JAS Venue.

Other upcoming events include NOSACONN supported artists such as Joanna Hale-McGill, who reveals her new music video "Revelation 21:4" on January 22, plus collaborations like the NOLA Global Week, March 21-27, 2022 (www.nolagyf.com).

For more information about the upcoming projects in Africa and New Orleans, contact Damon Batiste at nosaconn@gmail.com or visit www.nosaconn.com.