As the tourism and entertainment industries of New Orleans continue to face decimation by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, so too does the financial stability of its musicians. Included therein are the 60 members of the Preservation Hall Musical Collective, comprised of musicians who for decades have preserved the musical traditions of the city.

Today (March 31), the Preservation Hall Foundation announced the establishment of the Legacy Emergency Relief Fund, a system of immediate financial support to the extended family of Pres Hall musicians. Ben Jaffe, Preservation Hall’s Creative Director, said in a statement, “The doors at Preservation Hall are closed for the foreseeable future and our 60-member Musical Collective is facing great uncertainty. We’re focusing all of our attention towards caring for our musicians in helping them weather the crisis.”

As such, every dollar raised for the newly established fund will go towards the essential needs of those 60 musicians. The Musical Collective is responsible for putting on 1,500 yearly performances at the historic French Quarter venue alone, not to mention education and community engagement activities and music festivals in which they participate. 

Click here for more information on the Legacy Emergency Relief Fund, including how to make donations, here.