TULANE TALK

December 10, 2004

Good Morning:

I never cease to marvel at the Tulane connections I encounter in my travels. At an alumni gathering in Cleveland this week I had the pleasure of meeting two daughters of Baby Briscoe, a jazz singer who performed in the 1920s and 30s in cabarets in New Orleans and New York.

The singerís daughters told me that they were so impressed by the holdings of our renowned Hogan Jazz Archive, including the information it contains on their mother, that they have begun to raise money to fund a Tulane scholarship in honor of her. I was impressed by these two women, neither of whom are alumni of our institution, but both of whom want to pay tribute to their mother while enabling others to receive a Tulane education.

Meeting Baby Briscoeís daughters reminded me of the importance of our cultural heritage, the vital role institutions such as the Hogan Jazz Archive play in preserving that heritage and just how many friends Tulane has throughout the country.

Have a great weekend,