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Feuding at home brought many Italians to Louisiana in the middle 1850s. A good number of them used ties to the old country to establish themselves in food distribution businesses, first in New Orleans, then across south Louisiana.   Most of the Italians who came here during that era were from Sicily, many of them fleeing after the failure of...

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By Danielle Dreilinger   The only plan left standing for the Piazza d'Italia? A double-tower Hard Rock Hotel, Canal Street Beat reports. The city of New Orleans is looking to redevelop several publicly owned parking lots next to the central business district landmark. A committee chose three finalists in September from five preliminary...

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When Frank Maselli was in Rome on a Saturday night three years ago, he happened upon an outdoor concert in the piazza. A handful of singers were belting out opera arias to a piano accompaniment.   "I listened to them and said to myself, 'This would be perfect for our Piazza d'Italia,' " Maselli said, referring to the outdoor plaza in New Orl...

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by Giuseppe Milici   Imagination and a musical lexicon that's all we will need to begin our journey through the progression of Jazz Music around the world. The importance of Sicilian musicians in this development, as well as those of Sicilian origin, is evident from the start. Beginning our brief excursion through the History of Jazz in the...

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The trend in Italian fare in New Orleans is toward the cuisine of northern Italy. New spots offer up not the rich red "gravy" of the South, but softer, more elegant dishes composed of handmade pastas, cured salumi and al dente risotto with shaved truffles.   Still, the Crescent City has long loved red sauce, and that's evident in many local...

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FROM PALERMO TO NEW ORLEANS The story of the first jazz record ...Few people know that on February 26, 1917, an Italian musician in New Orleans released the first record ever made in the history of jazz. That musician was Sicilian and his name was Nick La Rocca... These are the opening words of "From Palermo to New Orleans," a documentary film prod...

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This special once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the unparalleled sound of a "Grand Stradivarius" violin – one of only five or six known to exist today – played with eloquence by Fedeli is presented by the American Italian Cultural Center (AICC) of New Orleans.   The concert event will feature a diverse, captivating musical program chosen...

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The American Italian Cultural Center announces the unveiling of the bust of Italian American Nick LaRocca, the "Creator of Jazz" and composer of such jazz standards as "Tiger Rag" and "Livery Stable Blues". The unveiling by Lt. Governor of Louisiana Jay Dardenne will take place on November 16 at 3 pm at the Old US Mint on Esplanade Avenue.  ...

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Singers Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble were discovered when the three singers appeared individually on Italy's televised singing competition – "Ti lascio una canzone." The show's creator/producer Roberto Cenci had the lads perform as a trio during the program's fourth episode, thus launching the group's career. Now Il Vol...

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Holly Anne Savoie will be crowned queen of the 44th annual Italian American Marching Club St. Joseph Parade during a free pre-parade celebration in New Orleans. The gala will be held March 9, starting at noon, at the Piazza d'Italia.   Savoie, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Savoie of Covington, will be surrounded by 80 beautiful maids in...

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