Fundraiser in John Swenson's Memory Saturday at The Broadside

John Swenson, by Alex Rawls

Local musicians will perform and remember the late music journalist and critic at a fundraiser for the Musicians’ Clinic.

In late March, I wrote about the passing of music journalist and critic John Swenson. John’s career started at the fabled Crawdaddy in the early 1970s and took him to all of the major music magazines and a lot of minor ones. Starting in 1999, he refocused his career on the music he cared about most, which by and large came out of New Orleans. He spent much of the next 20 years as one of the most sympathetic ears for music from New Orleans and one of the most supportive writers for the musicians.

On Saturday, there will be a musical tribute to John at The Broadside featuring James Andrews and The Crescent City All-Stars, Ed Volker, Debbie Davis, Davis Rogan, Helen Gillet, 101 Runners featuring Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Joe Cabral, Andy J. Forest, Michael Skinkus, Dayna Kurtz, Don Bartholomew and the Bartholomew Boyz, and more. Tickets are on sale now, and the show is a benefit for the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic. Those who would like to show love but can’t make the show could contribute to the Musicians’ Clinic in John’s name. The gesture would be appreciated by John’s family and the Musicians’ Clinic.