The New Orleans City Council will soon consider new legislation setting a guaranteed rate of pay for musicians working city-sponsored events. Council President Helena Moreno and Vice President JP Morrell announced the legislation on Thursday, and the proposal will be heard at the July 17 Economic Development Committee meeting.
Under the proposed ordinance, which can be read here, musicians and bands playing events where they would be compensated with public funds will be guaranteed at least $200 per musician, per hour of performance time. A musical act with 10 or more musicians would be paid at least $2,000 per performance. There is a $200 minimum compensation, and the ordinance makes clear there's nothing stopping the city from paying more depending on contracts.
The ordinance also includes vocalists, DJs and conductors in its definitions of musicians. But the proposal does not cover "non-musical accompaniment," like back-up dancers, sound techs, managers and other roles supporting the musicians or band. But the legislation says the city is allowed to pay additional costs, at an agreed-upon rate, to compensate non-musician members of a musical act or for time spent loading, unloading and for sound check.
The legislation also does not apply to groups that are usually made up of volunteers, like school music groups or choirs.
"We talk a big game when it comes to respecting and honoring music in our city, but today, we turn those words into action by ensuring the City pays a fair market wage whenever employing musicians for events," Moreno said in a statement.
The proposal is modeled after a uniform pay rate scale adopted by Austin, Texas, last year. Similarly, Austin pays $200 per musician for city-backed events.
"This represents a significant step towards providing the respect and compensation the city's musicians have long deserved," said Danovan Calhoun-Bettis, the director of engagement and partnership at the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans.