Zane and the Hurricane

• The Legendary Ingramettes: African American Gospel Music from Virginia

Miss Tissy finds joy singing gospel songs at home and at church. This video shows a concert by the gospel group The Ingramettes.

• Wynton Marsalis Performs “Amazing Grace” at Federal Hall

Kermit Ruffins performs “Drop Me off in New Orleans”.

• Harry Connick Jr. performs “Mardi Gras in New Orleans”

Jazz plays an important part in African American history and New Orleans culture. In Zane and the Hurricane, the character Tru plays brass for famous jazz and blues musicians like Wynton Marsalis, Kermit Ruffins, Harry Connick, Jr., and others.

• You Better Second Line: Jazz Funeral for Juanita Brooks

In New Orleans, the jazz funeral is somber on the way to the cemetery, and a celebration on the way back. The funeral features a brass band, fancy step-dancing, and a “second line” where anyone can join the dance.

• Louis Armstrong Plays “When the Saints Go Marching In”

This is one of the songs Tru would play during the celebration part of a procession. In this video, jazz legend Louis Armstrong covers the tune.

• Dat Talk: The New Orleans Accent

This video provides a sampling of the voices of New Orleans residents. Tru and Malvina’s unique dialect connects them to the city and their heritage.

• Survivors’ Stories: Living Through Katrina and A Young Child’s Experience with Hurricane Katrina

These interviews with survivors of Hurricane Katrina provide real life accounts that show parallels to the story depicted in Zane and the Hurricane.

• When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. (2006)

Filmmaker Spike Lee’s four-part HBO documentary about Hurricane Katrina and its devastating aftermath features interviews from New Orleans residents. Available on Amazon and Amazon Prime. Pre-screen for grade-level appropriateness.