Mrs. Obama:
Hey! (cheers and applause) You're all excited? Audience:
Yes! Mrs. Obama:
See, Harry, we
got a good crew here. Well, welcome to
the White House. Yay! (applause) How many of you have
been here before, ever? What, for a tour? Audience Member:
No. Mrs. Obama:
No? What were you doing here? Audience Member:
Easter. Mrs. Obama:
Easter egg, that's
coming up soon. You all have to come back for
this year's Easter Egg Roll. Well, I'm pleased
to welcome you all. You guys students
of Myrtilla Miner? Yeah, yeah. Well, you guys are part of
the glee club of the school? Audience:
Yeah. Mrs. Obama:
So you all are singers,
everybody has got a good voice. That's great. Well, you guys are from the
school here in Washington, and we want to welcome you to
the press preview for a big dinner that we're
having here tonight. Since I've been First Lady, one
of the goals that I've had is to make sure that kids from the
community get a chance to partake in some of the really
interesting and cool stuff that we have to offer here and to
learn more about how government works and to get some
unique experiences, because we do a lot
of fun stuff here, and sometimes it's just
for grown-ups or just for politicians, and we always want
to make sure that some of the kids get to experience some of
the things that we're doing. And tonight is a
really special night, because we have all of the
governors from all the states from all across the country
who are here this weekend, and we're having a really fun
annual Governors Ball here tonight. And they're here all weekend,
so we've done a bunch of different things with them. Yesterday I spoke to all the
governors about a new initiative that I'm starting
on child obesity. We're trying to make sure that
all you guys grow up healthy, eating your vegetables,
exercising, and that the entire nation is
working to help you do that. So I talked to all the
governors about it. It's called, "Let's Move," so
that we're all getting up, moving for you all. And tonight, right
here -- well, actually, right down the hall -- we're
going to have a big ball. It's a big dinner. Everybody gets dressed up. I'm going to wear
white, just so you know. The press gets to hear that. I'm going to be wearing white. That's all I'm telling you. And the men will be in tuxes,
and all the secret service, they have their tuxes on now,
so they look pretty spiffy. And then tomorrow the President
talks to the governors, and he has a big meeting
with them, and then I host, along with Dr. Jill Biden, who's
the Vice President's wife, we have all the spouses
back here for a luncheon. So it's a pretty busy weekend. And events like these are really
important for the government, because you know how when you're
working with somebody and if all you're doing is
working with them, you don't really get
to know them, right? So sometimes you need to
know people outside of work, and you need to sit down
and have a nice dinner and, you know, not talk about
politics and business, and just get to know
each other as people. Well, that's why
tonight is important, because it really gives people
a chance to not talk about the things that they
don't agree with, but they get to understand
what they have in common. And sometimes having
fun helps you do that. And this is a night that's
supposed to be fun, and it's supposed to encourage
people to get to know each other. Last year we had the
governor's ball here, and you know who
we had performing? We had Earth, Wind & Fire. You all know Earth, Wind & Fire. You may be a little young
for Earth, Wind & Fire, but we know Earth, Wind & Fire. So imagine all the
governors and the President, they were dancing to a congo
line right here in this room, because the band played here. So it was a lot of fun. But this year our entertainment,
very special guest, somebody who I love dearly and
has just been a friend to us for a very long time, Harry Connick,
Jr. is going to be here. (applause) And he's pretty excited, because they're just off of a big Super Bowl win, because he's from New Orleans, and he's very proud. He's been traveling around --
I've seen you on Ellen and everybody. You're just so happy
that the Saints have won, and we're very happy for you,
and he's being joined by his big band. And for those of you who don't
know anything about Harry, he is a singer, he's a composer. That means he writes music. And he can act. Can you imagine that,
that triple threat? Can you dance? Harry Connick, Jr.:
Not very well. Mrs. Obama:
Well, that's okay. Dancing's okay. But he's not just -- he
can't just do all that, but he can do it
all really well, because he's won three
Grammy awards, right, he's won one Emmy, and he's sold
over 25 million albums worldwide and earned more than, more
number one albums than any other jazz artist in the
history of this country. Right? Something like
that, right, Harry? So that's pretty good stuff. And he's here to perform
with his band tonight, and some of the members of his
band are leading musicians in New Orleans. And I just got to meet
some of them, as well. And just so that you know who
they are, drummer Bobby French, he leads the New Orleans
Tuxedo Jazz Band, and that is one of the original,
the original tuxedos have the longest history, over 100 years
of continuous performance in New Orleans. So just think of that, a
band that has been playing. They've been together -- well,
they're not 100 years old, but they've had members
playing for 100 years. (laughter) Some of them are, right? Right? You all don't look like 100. Pianist and singer Al Johnson,
who's known in New Orleans for his song, Carnival Time. It's a famous song that they
play during mardi gras, which just happened, right,
just happened, mardi gras. Trumpeter Shamarr Allen, and
Shamarr began playing at age seven years old. How many seven-year-olds
are here? Any eight, nine? Who's the youngest? So, can you imagine somebody
starting to play the trumpet at seven years old, right? So he's pretty good, and he's
currently a member of the brass band called the Underdawgs,
spelled D-A-W-G-S, that's dawgs. (laughter) We also have Calvin Johnson,
Jr., and Calvin plays the saxophone, and he studies
music at the University of New Orleans. Right? So these are guys
working, studying, they're staying in school, learning how to play their instruments. We also have Andrew
Bayham, and Andrew sings, he plays the trumpet, and he's
currently a member of Big Sam's Funky Nation. Don't you like saying that,
Big Sam's Funky Nation? Audience Member:
Yeah. (laughter) Mrs. Obama:
I like saying it. These folks aren't just
talented musicians, and this is important, you guys,
because these guys aren't just playing music and earning
money and performing, but they're also
community leaders, too. And that's really important
for you guys as you grow up, because even if you can sing
and you dance, the question is, what do you give back
to the community? And these guys are living
what they believe in. They work tirelessly to
help rebuild New Orleans, because you all know what's
happened in New Orleans. There was a big
hurricane there, Katrina, and it devastated the city. And Harry and Branford Marsalis
-- have you guys heard of Branford Marsalis? He's also a famous jazz
musician, as well. Harry and Branford co-founded
what's known as Musicians Village, and it's a collection
of more than 70 homes for New Orleans' musicians who were
displaced because of the hurricane. They built these homes in
partnerships with the New Orleans Branch of
Habitat for Humanity, and they did it with the help of about 70,000 volunteers who came to help from all
around the world. Musicians Village gives artists
a sense of community and a venue for preserving the rich cultural
history and music of New Orleans. For the musicians
here, I understand, who are performing actually
call the village their home, is that right? Musician:
Yeah. Mrs. Obama:
That's very cool. Even during its darkest days,
what Harry knew and helped to preserve is that music is so
important to a city, you know. How do you all feel when
you all are singing, right? You feel good, right? It makes you feel happy. So no matter what's going on in
your lives, when you're singing, you feel good, right? So imagine a city that didn't
have its music, right? It's sort of like a person
who didn't have its soul. And what Harry and his band
members have done in New Orleans is to make sure that even in
its darkest hours that they preserved that culture
in New Orleans, and for that we are very
grateful for you, Harry, and for all of you
all for what you do. They're inspiring you guys, and
they're here early because they want to inspire each of you. So this is a big deal. Right? So you guys are going to join
me in giving a big round of applause to Harry Connick,
Jr. and the Big Band? Audience:
Yes. Mrs. Obama:
All right! (applause) Harry Connick, Jr.:
Thank you very
much, Mrs. Obama. And I want to thank all
of you for coming here. This is a very, very
exciting moment for me. When I look out and I see all
of these beautiful young faces, I look at my band and I say,
I need to get a new band. (laughter) Because my guys are
getting really old. Maybe there is some potential
musicians among you guys. Mrs. Obama was speaking
about the Musicians Village, which is a project that I put
together with Branford Marsalis in New Orleans, and we've
built 80 residences. And among the people living
in this New Orleans Musicians Village are musicians. 80% of the people that are
living there are actual musicians. Music, as you know,
is so, so important. It was important to me. I had heroes growing up that
would play music and I would listen to, and they've inspired
me to become the musician I am today. If you guys wouldn't mind
parting a little bit, if you can see this handsome
guy on the drums back here, I started playing with him when
I was about six years old. His name is Bob French, and he
is the son of a very famous musician named Papa French. Well, I used to go listen to
them play at a club called Tradition Hall, and
Bob was playing drums, and I was fortunate enough to
spend time playing music with him. If I can direct your
attention over here, here is a picture of Bob sitting
in the rubble of New Orleans immediately after
hurricane Katrina. You can see there's a big truck
upside down there under a house, there's another
overturned truck here, and there is Bob sitting
with his snare drum. And I think the message is very
clear that no matter how bad the times are, as Mrs. Obama
said, in the darkest times, music will always
get you through. And all of you guys are singers,
and I think you all know that. Well, now if you look
at this other picture, the top portion is a picture of
the same neighborhood right now. This is what it looks like now. There are 80 beautiful homes. They're all different colors. And most of the people living
in those homes are musicians. Not only does Bob live
there, but Shamarr Allen, who is an incredible young
trumpet player, lives there, and Calvin Johnson also
lives there, as well. It's an amazing thing. What we're really
excited about, kids, is this bottom part
of the picture. This is a rendering of a
building that's going to be built very soon. We've actually started the
construction on it now. It's called the Ellis
Marsalis Center for Music. Ellis Marsalis is a great, great
music educator and a great pianist. He has a bunch of kids, and some
of you have heard of Wynton Marsalis or my friend
Branford Marsalis, those are two of his sons. Well, this is the center for
music that we're starting to build that's going to have
classrooms where people like Shamarr or even Bob
will come and teach. It's going to have
Internet access. It's going to have
a performance space. It's going to have a
recording facility. So it's a really
good thing to have. Our city is based on tradition,
and without the music in our culture down there, the
tradition would be lost. So this is a really
important step, and I'm so happy that you young,
bright people are here to see this, because as you grow older,
this community will develop, and there's going to be a lot
of kids just like y'all who are going to be great community
leaders because of this. And I'm honored to share
the stage with these guys. And let me introduce
the other ones, too. This is Mark Braud from
New Orleans on trumpet. On base, he's not
from New Orleans, but we still like him okay. His football team is
the worst football team. (laughter) The St. Louis Rams. Whereas, the New Orleans Saints
this year are the best football team. Just so you know, there's always
a little bit of contention between us. His name is Neal Caine. He's a great guy. And over here is my
buddy Lucien Barbarin. Now, Lucien comes from a long
tradition of New Orleans musicians. His Uncle Paul wrote a very,
very famous song called The Bourbon Street Parade. In fact, I think we should
probably play that first. That might be a nice way. Here's a little sample of the
type of music that we play in New Orleans. And again, thank you to Mrs.
Obama and to the President, both of whom wrote a personal
check to our Musicians Village, which we're just blown away by. They don't just talk about
what they're going to do, they actually
really, really do it, and to that we're very grateful. So here's a little
New Orleans music. I hope you enjoy it. (applause) All right, now, if y'all
know the words to this one, you don't have to
be a Saints fan, but you can sing along anyway. I think you all know the words. You got it, man. ♪♪(music playing)♪♪ ♪♪(singing)♪♪
Oh, when the Saints
(Oh, when the Saints) Go marching in
(Go marching in) (speaking)
And they tell
me you can sing. ♪♪(singing)♪♪
Saints go marching in (speaking)
Come on, I'll teach it you. ♪♪(singing)♪♪
Oh, I want to be in that number Oh, when the Saints
go marching in (speaking)
You repeat after me. ♪♪(singing)♪♪
Oh, when the Saints Derrick Hopkins, Jr.:
Oh, when the Saints Harry Connick, Jr.:
Go marching in Derrick Hopkins, Jr.:
Go marching in Harry Connick, Jr.:
Oh, when the Saints
go marching in Derrick Hopkins, Jr.:
Go marching in Harry Connick, Jr.:
How I want to be in that number Derrick Hopkins, Jr.:
In that number Harry Connick, Jr.:
When the Saints -- (speaking)
You wanna try it yourself? Derrick Hopkins, Jr.:
♪♪(singing)♪♪
Oh, when the Saints Go marching in They go marching in I want to be in that number When the Saints go marching in ♪♪(music playing)♪♪ Saints Go marching on When the Saints go marching on Oh, I want to be in that number When the Saints go marching in (applause) ♪♪(music playing)♪♪ (cheering) Harry Connick, Jr.:
Lucien Barbarin, Shamarr Allen, Mark Braud, Calvin Johnson, Neal Caine and Bob French. Thank y'all so much. And what is this
young man's name? I want everybody
to hear your name. Derrick Hopkins, Jr.:
Derrick Hopkins, Jr. Harry Connick, Jr.:
Derrick Hopkins, Jr., come up
here, take another bow, Derrick. Come on up here. Take one more bow. (cheers and applause) You're a junior, I
knew I liked you. Thank y'all so much,
thank you Mrs. Obama, and thank everyone
for having us.
