Thanks to the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund for this post.

Alvin Batiste, clarinet legend and patriarch of one of New Orleans' leading music families, died this morning. He was to be honored along with drumming legend Bob French, another irreplacable link in this city's musical chain.

Wardell Quezergue was honored yesterday at the Jazzfest in a living tribute. His concluding statement was "I did my best."

Many of our music legends are struggling to keep the world's focus on what their compatriots need. They are brave enough to keep up this fight.

They are hilarious and brutally honest (Bob).

They are giving. Alvin Batiste, whose family band performed for 40 years, created the Batiste Jazz Institute. David, Damon, are here to carry on his music legacy.

Last week, James Andrews and Dr. John second lined to dedicate a headstone for James' grandfather Jessie Hill. James said his grandfather's refrain was for those left behind to look after, "my children, my children." Mac agreed.

The cemetery was full of unmarked graves and it is the final resting place for many musicians who could not afford the headstone they deserved. Buddy Bolden's monument stands tall in the center, topped by a bottle of liquor for Buddy and quarters for luck.

New Orleans' volume of living music encyclopedias exist in no other city. Listen to their music while they're here. Love them while they're here.

Help them any way you can.