Freddy Omar, Vocals (Latin, Funk)
Leader of Fredy Omar con su banda and named "King of New Orleans' Latin music scene".
Peter “Chuck” Badie, Upright bass (Jazz)
Regularly plays traditional jazz around town, but is best known as the architect of New Orleans R&B sound. One of the original executives on Harold Batiste's musician-owned collective A.F.O. (All For One) Records. Had stints as a regular with Lionel Hampton, Sam Cooke, Dave Bartholomew, and Allen Toussaint's bands.
Big Fine Ellen Smith, Vocals (Jazz)
Repertoire includes jazz standards, blues, rhythm and blues, and New Orleans party classics. Regular performer at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the French Quarter Festival.
Cherice Harrison-Nelson, Mardi Gras Indian
A teacher in the New Orleans public schools, Cherice Harrison-Nelson is an activist in preserving the city's unique culture. She's a third generation Mardi Gras Indian, the daughter of the late Big Chief of the Guardians of the Flame, Donald Harrison, Sr., and curator of the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame. Harrison-Nelson was one of the first residents of the new Musicians' Village.
Cherice Harrison-Nelson featured in Louisiana Weekly
Photo by Jerry Moran
Michael Harris, Vocals/Bass (Gospel, Jazz)
Performs with several jazz bands, including Bruce Sun Pie Barnes, Irma Thomas, and Frog Man Henry and sings in a 60-voice gospel choir, Shades of Music.
Shamarr Allen, Trumpet (Jazz, Funk, Rock, Hip Hop)
Presently leads traditional jazz bands and his own funk and rock group, The Underdawgs. Also runs a weekly clinic at Sound Cafe in New Orleans where he teaches music to middle and high school jazz enthusiats.
Calvin Johnson Jr., Tenor Saxophone (Jazz)
Studies music at the University of New Orleans and is involved in the community as a teacher at the Jewish Day School in New Orleans.
Robyn Jones, Clarinet (Classical)
Principal Clarinetist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and an active teacher and chamber musician.
Troy Sawyer, Trumpet/Violin (Jazz, Classical)
Studied Jazz and Classical trumpet with August Floury at Southern University in New Orleans. Leader of his own band, The Troy Sawyer Band, and an illustrious composer, arranger, and producer as well.
Lawrence, Vocalist (Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop)
Local musician who has performed with many artists such as George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelics, Bill Summers, Kermit Ruffin, Calactic, and Iris May Tango. Wife, Kimberly, is a case manager with Catholic Charities and they are blessed with two daughters -- Darlin' Pearl and Divine Kumba.
Adam Crochet, Guitar/Vocals (Blues, Rock, Soul, Funk)
Currently leads the band I Tell You What, and writes songs.
Margie Perez, Singer/Songwriter (Blues, Pop, New Orleans Funk)
In addition to leading her own band, Margie takes on many other projects including the West African percussion jazz band, Fatien Ensemble, the Afro-Cuban Jazz group, Michael Skinkus and Moyuba, and her latest project, The HoneyPots. She is a happy homeowner in the Habitat for Humanity Musicians’ Village, and looks forward to many porch front jams in her promising new community. www.myspace.com/margieperez
Kathleen Westfall, Soprano (Operatic & Concert repertoire)
Kathleen is a doctoral candidate in music at The University of Southern Mississippi, graduating in December 2011. She earned her M. M. at Stony Brook University, New York, and her B. A. in Music from the University of New Orleans. At USM Kathleen has played Nedda in I Pagliacci and Mimi in La Bohème. In 2009 she died on stage yet again as Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi. Kathleen enjoys teaching voice lessons privately, but also plans to teach at the college level and continue to perform regionally as a classical soprano. KathleenWestfall.com
Tanya Huang, Violin (Fusion)
Tanya Huang was born in Taiwan and has been playing violin since she was six. She has played in a variety of venues ranging from concert halls to streets and subways all around the world, and has long favored playing in the streets of New Orleans.
The music and musicians of New Orleans have always been the city’s heart and soul. Your support of New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village is the best way to ensure that my home town lifts itself from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina with heart and soul intact.- Harry Connick, Jr.
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