HBO, Geffen Records and House of Blues Announce “A Night of Treme” to Benefit Make It Right

I’ll pass along this press release for all the roots music fans in New Orleans

August 13, 2010, New Orleans – HBO, Geffen Records, House of Blues and Make It Right are excited to announce “A Night of Treme,” a benefit show featuring the artists and music from the highly-acclaimed HBO series Treme. House of Blues in New Orleans will host the concert on the eve of the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Saturday, August 28 at 8:00pm.

Tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster on Friday, August 13. All of the proceeds from the ticket sales go to benefit Make It Right’s work rebuilding safe, sustainable and affordable homes for working families in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. In addition to the general admission ticket, guests can purchase a VIP ticket, which includes admission to the show and the after-party at House of Blues’ restaurant and Voodoo Garden. The after-party will include food, open-bar and special appearances by beloved New Orleans’ artists and luminaries.

“Make It Right has had a singular impact on addressing the housing needs of New Orleans after Katrina, particularly in the 9th Ward. The cast and crew of Treme are proud to be doing whatever we can to assist in those efforts,” states Treme creator and executive producer David Simon.

“Make It Right is thrilled to be joining some of New Orleans’ best artists to celebrate what makes our community so special – great music, great people and neighbors helping each other rebuild,” said Tom Darden, Make It Right. “We are grateful to HBO, Geffen Records and House of Blues for being champions not only of New Orleans’ culture, but our restoration and rebuilding.”

“A Night of Treme” will feature a range of musicians identified with New Orleans’ music tradition. These include John Boutte whose “Treme Song” is the series’ theme as well as Lloyd Price, Kermit Ruffins, Coco Robicheaux, Paul Sanchez, Doreen Ketchens, James Andrews, Jon Cleary, Irma Thomas, Rebirth Brass Band, Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indians as well as some special guests. A number of these artists have appeared in the HBO Series Treme and will be heard on the Treme Soundtrack album coming from Geffen Records this fall. Also releasing are exclusive musical video performances from various artists in the HBO series.

Tony Seyler, Universal Music VP Film and Television Marketing, Interscope Geffen A & M Records commented: “Music plays a key role in the Treme series and, of course, in the unique culture of New Orleans and we are proud to be part of that continuum. It’s only appropriate that these iconic musicians from the city’s great tradition join together for this occasion to celebrate the city’s rebirth and commemorate its struggle.”

“House of Blues is proud to support Make It Right in their effort to rebuild homes in the Lower 9th Ward and all the musicians and artists who have made Treme the success that it is,” said Sonny Schneidau of House of Blues in New Orleans.

Treme – from David Simon and Eric Overmyer (both of The Wire) – follows musicians, chefs, Mardi Gras Indians and ordinary New Orleaneans as they try to rebuild their lives, their homes and their unique culture in the aftermath of the 2005 hurricane and levee failure that caused the near-death of an American city.