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Music has a way of finding us early in life and staying with us forever. For New Orleans musician and retired educator Edwin Harrison, the spark was lit before he could even read a music sheet. "My grandfather used to walk around in the living room like he was playing the trombone and I wanted to play music ever since then. I must have been 2 or 3." That early passion set off an incredible lifelong musical journey through New Orleans schools. Edwin started on the trumpet at St. Peter Claver, moved on to the tuba at Andrew J. Bell Middle School, and became the drum major at Alcée Fortier High School. His talent and leadership took him straight to Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he earned the honor of drum major in his very first semester as a freshman! Throughout his career, Mr. Harrison played the tuba as his main instrument while dedicating his life to shaping young minds as a music teacher across New Orleans public schools—including Joseph S. Clark, Gregory Junior High, L.B. Landry High School, and Walter L. Cohen High School. Giving Back to the Community When retirement came, sitting at home watching TV was not an option. Noticing an unused piano at the local public library, Mr. Harrison saw an opportunity to continue doing what he loves most: inspiring the next generation. After six months of determination and persistence to get the program approved, he launched free piano lessons for local youth. "Do whatever you were put on Earth to do. I'm in my place—this isn't work for me." Join the Musicians & Mentors Free Music Program Through his Musicians and Mentors initiative, Edwin Harrison is keeping the rich musical legacy of New Orleans alive, one lesson at a time. What: Free Piano Lessons Where: Regional Public Library (Algiers) Who: Open to kids and young learners eager to discover the joy of music! Check with your local library branch for schedule updates, or follow Musicians and Mentors on Facebook. Thank you, Mr. Harrison, for all the music you've given and built in New Orleans — and for sharing your memories with Confetti Park! Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

What inspires a lifelong love of music? For rapper, musician and music producer Deezle, it all started at just five years old, thanks to his favorite uncle! Deezle is from New Orleans. He raps and sings, plays the bass, creates his own music, and also works with many other musicians like Lil Wayne and Drake. Deezle has won many awards for music, producing, and engineering. He has even won Grammy awards, the highest honor in popular music in America! In this Confetti Park music memory, Deezle looks back on fun days with his cousin Tanya when their uncle would babysit them. They would sit on the edge of the bed, happily swinging their legs, while their uncle—decked out in fly outfits, cool hats, shades, and jewelry—practiced his bass guitar across the room. Talk about making an impression! Watching his uncle make music with so much style planted a seed. "I want to be like him," Deezle remembers thinking. It's a dream that came true, as Deezle grew up to play bass in his own band and make Grammy-winning records!  Thank you, Deezle, for sharing your childhood music memory with Confetti Park! We're so glad you found your own musical groove. Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

In a recent episode of Confetti Park, host Katy Hobgood sat down with Alison Toussaint-LeBeaux to discuss her beautiful new children's book about her dad—New Orleans musical legend Allen Toussaint. It's called The Prince of New Orleans: The Life of Allen Toussaint. "When my dad first passed, I was just thinking I certainly didn't want him to be forgotten. And not that I was really afraid of that, but I knew how important the city was to him and how much he poured into the city. And I wanted to find a way to honor that and how he felt about New Orleans. And the best way I could think to do that was to give to the children of New Orleans."-Alison Toussaint-LeBeaux A Lesson for the Quiet Kids Allen Toussaint was known worldwide for his incredible musical genius, but at home and in the studio, he was famously gentle, reserved, and soft-spoken. "My dad was an incredibly calm, soft-spoken person," Alison shared during the interview. "He said the least amount in the room, but knew the most." As a child, Allen was so shy that he stayed close to his mother's side. Everything changed at age five when a piano was brought into the house for his sister. The moment his hands touched the keys, he found his true language. Alison hopes this biography shows children who might feel small and invisible that they have magic inside them. "You don't have to be the loudest person to make a difference in the world… Find a passion, stick with it, throw everything you have into something you love, and let that take you where you need to go." — Alison Toussaint-LeBeaux Rooted in Family and "Southern Nights" While the book functions as a biography—following Allen from his childhood to receiving the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama—it relies heavily on the family values that shaped him. Alison recalls stories of childhood trips out to rural Louisiana to visit family. Packed into a house filled with French-speaking relatives telling ghost stories, the children would sit at the bottom of the stairs and listen. It was these exact memories that later inspired Allen to write his most famous masterpiece, "Southern Nights." Divine Intervention and Visual Magic The book's vibrant illustrations were created by local artist Brendan Palmer-Angell. Alison had admired his work for over a year after seeing a massive public mural he painted of her father on Claiborne Avenue. Through what she calls "complete divine intervention," Palmer-Angell ended working on a project at the architecture firm where Alison works. Despite having never illustrated a children's book before, he jumped on board. The collaboration resulted in stunning imagery, including a deeply personal final page featuring a silhouette of Alison as a little girl alongside her father. The Prince of New Orleans: The Life of Allen Toussaint is an essential addition to any family bookshelf or school library in Louisiana. Keep an eye out for Alison as she brings book readings and live musical accompaniment to schools and libraries around our state! And considering the Allen Toussaint is an American musical legend, music lovers everywhere will want this book. Thank you so much, Alison, for sharing your memories and your book with Confetti Park!

If you've ever strolled by Jackson Square on a humid morning, you know that smell—the intoxicating, sugary scent of fresh fried dough and powdered sugar mixed wafting on the wind. But what happens when one of those delicious treats decides it's not quite ready to be eaten? Today on Confetti Park Storytime, we are sprinting through the streets of New Orleans alongside a very fast, very sugary character in "The Runaway Beignet," written by the wonderful Connie Collins Morgan. And --we are beyond thrilled to feature a very special narration of this tale. A huge Confetti Park thank you goes out to Connie for sharing her story and her voice to this episode. A Louisiana Twist on a Classic Tale We all know the story of the Gingerbread Man, but Connie has given this timeless fable a delicious Louisiana makeover. Instead of a gingerbread man running through a meadow, we have a feisty beignet darting past local landmarks, clever animals, and hungry onlookers. It is a delightful romp that captures the rhythm and flavor of a street scene in the French Quarter. With its catchy "catch me if you can" singsong, a dash of bayou magic, and the charming illustrations (by Herb Leonhard) that bring the beignet to life, this is a story book you will read over and over again. A Special Thank You to Connie Collins Morgan We are beyond thrilled to feature a very special narration of this tale. A huge Confetti Park thank you goes out to Connie Collins Morgan for sharing her story and her voice to this episode. Hearing an author read their own work adds a layer of magic that you just can't get anywhere else. Connie's warmth and playful delivery make the Beignet's escape feel more vivid than ever. We are so grateful she shared her time and her talent with our community of little dreamers and music lovers. Discover More: Check out Connie's other work and grab a copy of the book at https://conniecollinsmorgan.com/ Confetti Park is a family radio program and podcast out of New Orleans. We feature local authors and songs that celebrate the magic of childhood and the unique culture of Louisiana and the Gulf South. Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

Stanton Dossett, from Shreveport, Louisiana, grew up surrounded by music that shaped his earliest memories. His grandmother, Mary Lou Davis, was a talented pianist and composer who filled his childhood with original songs and lullabies. Stanton's mother continued that tradition, playing classical pieces—especially Chopin—which made music a daily presence in their lives. The gentle humming of Hattie Shepherd, the family's housekeeper, also added warmth to his childhood. At age nine, Stanton's mother taught him the chords to "St. Louis Blues," inspiring him to learn guitar and make music for himself. These early experiences created an enduring love for music that remains part of Stanton's story today. Thank you, Stanton, for sharing this childhood music memory -- as well as one of your grandmother's original lullabies -- with Confetti Park. Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

Irma Thomas, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," still remembers her first time singing on stage. It happened at New Star school in Greensburg, Louisiana, during a school play of Cinderella. Her teacher asked her to sing "Tennessee Waltz" for the audience. Irma wasn't nervous—she was excited. As she sang, she realized how much she loved performing. The applause she received made her feel proud and happy . That first performance sparked Irma's passion for musical performance. She may not recall every detail, but she'll never forget how it felt to express herself through song! Her experience is a reminder that sometimes all it takes is one moment to discover something you love. Thank you, dear Irma Thomas Jackson, for sharing this childhood music memory with Confetti Park Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

A professional performer and New Orleans teacher, Donald Lewis, Jr. has shared his stories with scores of Louisiana children over the decades atschools and libraries around the state. He's delighted New Orleans audiences in dozens of theatrical performances over the years. And many have heard his sonorous deep voice over the airwaves on WWOZ and WRBH 88.3 FM, Radio for the Blind and Print Handicapped. In this childhood music memory, Donald shares how his love of the stage first began. Donald was living in Texas when he was five or six years old, and he had the lead role in a performance of "She'll Be Coming around the Mountain." It was a little skit created just for kids. The children were dressed in cowboy hats and riding around on mop horses, and Donald was proud to belt out the lines of the song. It was that moment, in front of the audience, that he got the acting and performance bug! Donald did not want to leave the stage. After the performance was over, and at the end of the night while all the people for leaving the auditorium, Donald ran from his parents and went back to the stage to start his performance all over. Donald's mother had to scoop him up and pull him away from the stage. And that was Donald's first glorious introduction to the stage limelight.  Thanks, Donald, for sharing this fun childhood memory!!! Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

In this childhood music memory, New Orleans musician Chris Sheard recalls going on car rides with the family and only having one cassette tape to listen to, over and over again. One side featured Marvin Gaye, and the other featured Sam Cooke. The family would flip the tape over and over, and Chris learned every single word to every song by heart. Chris ponders how children today have infinite options of music to listen to on demand, via Spotify and other internet apps. While there is amazing access to music for today, has something been lost in the overwhelming options? Chris doesn't comment on which time he thinks is better -- then or now? But he is grateful for his own experiences. He will always recall those long road trips and deeply listening to Marvin and Sam singing. Thank you, Chris, for sharing your memory with Confetti Park. Christopher Sheard is a New Orleans-based musician and teacher with years in the field of early childhood music. He is the founder of Blue House Music, a direct-to-family early learning music program that serves children under five and their caregivers. He currently serves as the lower school music teacher at The McGehee School for Girls and Little Gate in uptown New Orleans.

Meet the Chickadees, a trio of young musicians from Shreveport, Louisiana! These sensational ten-year-olds – Posy Harper, Evie Desobry and Ellie Spero – are a breath of fresh air to the local music scene with their infectious energy and impressive talent. Guided by their dedicated teacher, Miss Sandra Odom, the Chickadees are singing and strumming their way into the hearts of audiences. [Katy: I first met the Chickadees at the gravesite of Huddie Ledbetter at our annual Lead Belly Graveside Jam in October 2024, and I've been following their band since then. Watch their performance of Cottonfields here!)] The kids met at school (A.C. Steere) and were all music students studying under Sandra, and the band came together naturally. All play ukulele, but each member brings a unique flair to the project. Posy also plays bass, while Evie plays banjolini, which she likes for its distinct twang). Ellie has delightful stage presence and a yodeling twist to the group. Her rendition of "Lovesick Blues" is a showstopper! The Chickadees' set list is a sweet mix of timeless classics and contemporary hits. They perform a lot of Louisiana crowd pleasers ("Jambalaya," "Louisiana Saturday Night") as well as new songs by artists such as Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves. Despite their young age, these songbirds are seasoned performers, enchanting audiences at various venues and events around north Louisiana. The Chickadees are enjoying their friendship through music -- practice sessions double as fun playdates and sometimes even roll into sleepovers! For other young aspiring musicians, the Chickadees have some advice: pick an instrument you love, find a supportive teacher, and practice, practice, practice until you hit those high notes! Thank you, Miss Sandra and The Chickadees for sharing your talent with Confetti Park!

The Cajun fiddler and singer for Lost Bayou Ramblers recalls learning to dance with his cousins while the family band played Louis Michot, a talented fiddler and singer with the Grammy award-winning Cajun band Lost Bayou Ramblers, shared a sweet childhood music memory with Confetti Park. Growing up, Louis would often join his father and uncles' band, Les Frères Michot, in the vibrant dance halls and restaurants of Lafayette. (Randalls, Mulates, Prejeans, etc.) It was there, amidst joyous community gatherings, that Louis learned to dance. He was only six or seven! "I remember taking my cousins' arms, Effie and Rebecca, and we'd switch off.....It was kind of magic. We'd stay on the dance floor all night." The spontaneous magic of dancing lively two-steps, waltzes and jitterbugs to the family band's music left a lasting impression on Louis. It remains a fond memory that continues to inspire his love for music and performance today. Thank you, Louis, for sharing this childhood music memory! You can hear Les Frères Michot perform one of the songs Louis recalls from that time, "Two-Step De Pilette," in this interview.

A new reading and coloring book about New Orleans' relationship with water will entertain and educate! Katy recently interviewed hrilina ♡, a rising leader among young New Orleanians, who is proud to announce the release of a unique educational coloring book titled "Water Wonderful World." Published by Trinity City Comics, the book explores the relationship we in South Louisiana have with water, particularly in and around New Orleans. hrilina ♡'s vision for this book was to create an engaging and fun experience for kids (and grownups) that teaches about the role of water in New Orleans—from providing livelihoods to being an essential part of our recreation. The book also faces the challenges of coastal erosion and rising waters. In fact, it was funded through Bloomberg Philanthropies' Youth Climate Action Fund and supported by Mayor Latoya Cantrell's office and the City of New Orleans. "One of my favorite New Orleans Easter eggs in the book is on page six, where everything in the garden bed is a Louisiana export," says hrilina ♡. "It's Water Wonderful World, and it's about the unique relationship that we New Orleanians have with water. But it's also about how our waters matter to the world, and why people should care about our waters and  issues relating to our waters." "Water Wonderful World" stands out not only for its content but also for its collaborative creation process. The artwork in "Water Wonderful World" was created by three talented teenaged illustrators from New Orleans: Lauren Landers, Zion Mercadel, and London Salvant. Each brings their distinct style to the pages. (They represent local arts programs such as New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), YAYA, and Morris Jeff.) "Water Wonderful World" is now available for download as a PDF from the Trinity City Comics website. Printed copies are also available for sale. Dive into the wonder of water and explore New Orleans through this coloring adventure! Thank you, hrilina ♡, for sharing your talent with Confetti Park in so many ways! (hrilina ♡ is a veteran member of the Confetti Park Players and has long contributed her thoughtful creativity to this radio show and podcast. Here she is sharing a poem called "Teacher's Prayer.")

At 12 years old, this musician and composer is already active on the local music scene in New Orleans. Katy Hobgood Ray interviews Arlo for Confetti Park. In a recent interview, New Orleans based music prodigy Arlo McCracken Allen shared insights into his musical journey that began at the young age of four when he first sat at a piano. Arlo quickly progressed from playing at home to performing with his dad's band (Luke Allen, Happy Talk Band) and other notable musicians. Arlo plays piano and cello, but he loves electronic music. Influenced by video game music creator Toby Fox, Arlo aspires to compose soundtracks for games and films. He enjoys creating electronic music using tools like Logic Pro X and making animations. Arlo even created a piece displayed on a large projection for an audience at Luna Fete, working with artist Courtney Egan. Currently at Homer Plessy middle school, Arlo is preparing to attend NOCCA, a school for creative arts. He is actively involved in collaborative projects, including the development of a video game with friends for which he composed the main menu theme. In this interview with Confetti Park, Arlo offers advice to other young musicians -- on how to get started playing music, and on finding confidence to perform. Despite having stage fright, playing music liberates him, allowing him to connect deeply with his audience. Arlo's vision is to continue building his portfolio and expand his reach through platforms like YouTube. Whether flying solo or collaborating with others, Arlo McCracken Allen's passion for music is undeniable. We're excited to watch his journey! Thanks for sharing your talent with Confetti Park, Arlo!  Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

Music can carry powerful memories and emotions through generations, as Scott Durbin of the Imagination Movers shares with us.  Scott, whose grandmother was Native American, recalls participating in powwows at a very young age. His family's tribe would come together to honor their cultural traditions, and music with drumming and dancing was a central component. "I remember being very young, dressed in garb and doing a powwow, and as much as a six year old can intuit a spiritual elevation because of the music and the beat, I knew this was amazing." Through experiencing the resonating drum circles and participating in the spirituality of his ancestral heritage alongside his grandmother and family, he came to know the power of music early. Scott believes this may be his first clear memory of music unlocking a moment of revelation. Journey into the past with more music memories brought to you by Confetti Park. Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

Happy Mardi Gras, everybody! Wherever you're watching the parades– whether it's out in the parishes, Slidell, Metairie or along beautiful St. Charles Avenue–chances are you will need some shade and respite after a long day of truck floats. Find a tree, have a rest, look around, and enjoy the show. And keep your eyes peeled for the Mardi Gras trees! You know the ones… they glitter like rainbows, dedicated as bead catchers by the people passing by. In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear the whimsical tale of The Mardi Gras Tree by Melinda Taliancich Falgoust. "Laissez bon temps rouler! – let the good times roll! It's Mardi Gras in New Orleans and everyone's excited – including the little acorn who just can't WAIT to grow into a great live oak and watch high over the parades. But as the Great Oak says, it's not always about being the biggest or the best. "Whatever tree you grow to be, just be the best that you can be." ​An endearing tale of growth and self-worth set against the colorful backdrop of one of New Orleans' biggest celebrations. You can order the book at https://www.waggingtalespress.com/picture-books Melinda, thanks for sharing your story and your wonderful talent with Confetti Park!

In this episode of Confetti Park, we connect with the creative mind of Steven Scaffidi, a veteran of the entertainment industry. For decades Steven has worked in film and television—writing, directing, and producing. Based out of New Orleans, Steven has deep connections to the industry in South Louisiana, but his work extends nationally as well. From commercials for restaurants, furniture companies, lawyers, etc., to full length feature films, TV shows and gritty documentaries, Steven has a vast amount of experience, connections, and know-how. Lately, he has turned this experience and wisdom to a new industry—that of children's book publishing. And Steven has lots of fearless opinions about how to publish books in 2021.