Jazz, the Devil, and the Axeman of New Orleans

Em Carpenter

Em was one of those argumentative children who was sarcastically encouraged to become a lawyer, so she did. She is a proud life-long West Virginian, and, paradoxically, a liberal. In addition to writing about society, politics and culture, she enjoys cooking, podcasts, reading, and pretending to be a runner. She will correct your grammar. You can find her on Twitter.

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5 Responses

  1. Mark Kruger says:

    Wow – such an interesting and creepy story! Thanks for sharing. From now on when I’m improvising at the piano I will not be able to keep from looking over my shoulder. 🙂Report

  2. Great story, really enjoyed that one. Some cities just lend themselves to such things, and NOLA is such a perfect backdrop to that, you can really see it when you read the descriptions. Good share.Report

  3. Maribou says:

    I usually don’t like true crime stuff, but this is exactly the kind of true crime stuff I dig. And that sheet music cover image is amazing.Report

  4. jason says:

    If memory serves, the “witch” season of American Horror Story had a character that was based on/a homage to The Axeman.Report

    • PD Shaw in reply to jason says:

      Yes, and I believe they made him a saxophonist as a play on the word axe being slang for saxophone. Though that usage only appears to date back to the 1950s. A New Orleans musician would have opportunities to travel those days and obvious incentive to encourage jazz, so it almost makes sense.Report