Groove Interrupted: Loss, Renewal, and the Music of New Orleans

The recent history of New Orleans is fraught with tragedy and triumph. Both are reflected in the city's vibrant, idiosyncratic music community. In Keith Spera's intimately reported Groove Interrupted, Aaron Neville returns to New Orleans for the first time after Hurricane Katrina to bury his wife. Fats Domino improbably rambles around Manhattan to promote a post-Katrina tribute CD. Alex Chilton lives anonymously in a battered cottage in the Treme neighborhood. Platinum-selling rapper Mystikal rekindles his career after six years in prison. Jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard struggles to translate Katrina into music. The spotlight also shines on Allen Toussaint, Pete Fountain, Gatemouth Brown, the Rebirth Brass Band, Phil Anselmo, Juvenile, Jeremy Davenport and the 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. With heartache, hope, humor and resolve, each of these contemporary narratives stands on its own. Together, they convey that the funky, syncopated spirit of New Orleans music is unbreakable, in spite of Katrina's interruption.

Author: Keith Spera
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 08/02/2011
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.30w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9780312552251

Review Citation(s):
Men's Journal 07/01/2011 pg. 80
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2011
Publishers Weekly 06/20/2011
Library Journal 07/01/2011 pg. 82
Booklist 08/01/2011 pg. 11
Shelf Awareness 08/02/2011

About the Author
KEITH SPERA writes about music for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans. In 2006, he was a member of the newspaper's Pulitzer Prize-winning Hurricane Katrina coverage team. He has also contributed to Rolling Stone, Vibe, Blender, LA Weekly, Garden & Gun and numerous documentaries. He lives in his native New Orleans with his wife and two young children.

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