Photographer Herman Leonard Needs Help

[medjuck]

Just yesterday I was saying to a friend that I knew it was trivial compared to everything else happening in New Orleans but I wondered if Herman Leonards negatives were safe. This morning I got the following e-mail from musician/ composer John Altman:

>

> Apologies for the tone - this was aimed at jazz fans rather than musicians-

> but the sentiment is the same - I'm sure we all want to reach out to all the

> affected at this time

>

> Many of you music fans will know and love the photographic work of Herman

> Leonard. His defining pictures of the jazz greats - Charlie Parker, Billie

> Holiday, Louis Armstrong etc etc have been justly celebrated worldwide.

> Herman and his family lived in New Orleans - although they escaped, he has

> lost everything. His negatives are in the musuem and may be safe (we won't

> know for months I guess), but he has lost his darkroom, equipment, images,

> prints, computer that has 10 years work stored on it etc.I am also

> attempting to set up with the commitee a speedy benefit concert in LA to

> raise some funds - I'd appreciate any help/suggestions etc at this time

> either via e mail or on the phone at 310 871 9951 Here is an e mail I just

> received

>

> Dear Family and Friends,

>

> We are writing to you on behalf of the LEONARD FAMILY HELP FUND.

>

> As many of you know, Herman Leonard, Shana Leonard, Stephen Smith and =

> their daughter India were living in New Orleans, specifically in the =

> Lakeview area, which is now well submerged in water in the wake of =

> Hurricane Katrina. They were able to evacuate the city but their =

> property has been flooded and their possessions destroyed. They left New =

> Orleans with little more than the clothes on their back and will have to =

> completely rebuild their lives.

>

> Amongst their possessions were all of India's expensive medical =

> equipment. India is severely disabled with cerebral palsy and =

> microcephaly. Although she is 10 years old, she is not able to walk, =

> talk or feed herself, and requires 24-hour care. A lot of the equipment =

> that is used on a daily basis they were forced to leave behind and it =

> must be replaced as soon as possible.

>

> Many of you have been calling and asking how to help, which has meant a =

> lot to them. Here is the way: LOVE AND CASH! (And not necessarily in =

> that order).

>

> We have formed the LEONARD FAMILY HELP FUND to assist them in rebuilding =

> their lives. Please feel free to contribute generously, but most =

> importantly - no amount is too small.

>

> Please make the check payable to:

> LEONARD FAMILY HELP FUND

>

> Send To:

> Leonard Family Help fund

> c/o Jo Winett

> 10716 Esther Ave.

> Los Angeles, CA 90064

>

> Or you can pay via paypal:

> leonardfamilyhelpfund@verizon.net

>

> We will be emailing you updates with news and progress. If you have any =

> questions regarding this fund, or would like to help, please feel free =

> to contact us.

>

> On behalf of the Leonard Family and ourselves, we sincerely thank you,

>

> Rana Joy Glickman, Jo Winett and Hillary Bratton

>

> Organizing committee contact info -

> Rana Joy (323) 960-0080 rana.joy.glickman@shakrahfilms.com

> Jo (310) 234-0268 jowinett@verizon.net

> Hillary (650) 233-3747 hillary@brattyworld.com

>