Art Chowder January | February, Issue 19 | Page 50

M
any new friendships and musical contacts
had been made from his first visit, subsequently
followed up by emails and calls creating a solid
bond between Spokane and New Orleans.
Garrin was determined to do everything he
could to help out with the desperately-needed
relief efforts for the plight of New Orleans. A
seed was planted which eventually germinated
and grew into a musical mission benefitting not
only that particular city and its needy cause, but
later developed into an established Spokane and
Inland Northwest musical fixture.
The mission was big, bold and impactive,
coupled with an uplifting mood of optimism
and levity. Music was the chosen vehicle, and
in 2006 Garrin organized an impressive three-
day Spokane music festival called the “Think
Swing New Orleans Jazz Festival.” He invited
many artists from storm-battered New Orleans
to perform at the festival, several of whom had
sadly been made homeless as a result of the
hurricane.
50
ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE