The Hills Are On Fire, So Are the Beaches
So Much and Not Enough To Say, While Living Near the LA Wildfires
William Roper and Bobby Bradford (appearing here as CuZns), who both lost their homes, instruments, and possessions in the 2024 LA wildfires
Is it possible there is anybody reading this who doesn’t know about the wildfires consuming (literally and metaphorically) the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena? Regardless, I want to share a few key items.
Although she does not want to be credited in press, this hardly qualifies, so I’ll mention that Judy Miller Silverman started a public document, which is now maintained with Zac Matthews and is also open to the community at large for submissions.
Support the Music Community - Fire Loss and Resources
Looking at the list is highly depressing, so I would advise you make sure you’re in a place to acknowledge a tremendous amount of loss. I’ve found this doc at times overwhelming and at other times uplifting, given how many have found their way to it and moved to donate. Be advised, bad actors are posing as legitimately needy people and setting up fake GoFundMe accounts to essentially steal money. To the best of my knowledge, there is some vetting going on when someone adds a name to the doc, but I really do not have details about this.
On the Resources tab in the above doc, there are a number of organizations accepting donations. And if you feel unsure about donating to GoFundMe campaigns, I completely understand and advise you to check out these organizations:
MusiCares https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief (Per MusiCares, “100% of your online donation helps those in need.”)
Sweet Relief https://www.sweetrelief.org/natural-disaster-fund.html
We Are Moving the Needle https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate
More Ways to Help
One Last Thing
No matter your political perspective (which seems to be the primary lens for viewing information online), there is misinformation and disinformation everywhere, acutely in times of crisis. I’ve seen false narratives from accounts on either side of the proverbial aisle, so please, please, please do not share anything that isn’t from a trusted and vetted source. Resharing something on social media because it reinforces your preexisting beliefs is almost certainly one way to spread misinformation. If it fits a narrative easily, it’s probably fake—life is messy and unpredictable. A couple of articles on this:
LAist: As fires ravage the LA region, so too are conspiracy theories and misinformation
KQED: Misinformation About the LA Fires Spreads Fast. Here’s How To Spot It
Okay, One More Last Thing
There are 100s of musicians who have been impacted by the wildfires. If I can just bring some attention to a few whose music falls under the category of jazz. These are just a couple of names, absence of another artist isn’t intentional; in my very small community, these are the names circulating most often. Others are maintaining much longer and more detailed lists. I just want to highlight a couple of albums worth your time and attention.
Bobby Bradford and William Roper released a quartet album with Frode Gjerstad and Alex Cline last year.
Steve Lehman, who relocated from NY several years ago, has a fantastic album coming out soon, recorded here in LA at ETA (Enfield Tennis Academy).
Bennie Maupin released a trippy, dramatic album with Adam Rudolph a couple years ago, dedicated to the great Yusef Lateef.