In 1778 Manuel Felix Nunez de Villavicencio and his wife Josefa Suarez arrived in Louisiana. They were first sent to settle Barataria in Louisiana. After tremendous hardships they requested permission to move to the settlement in St. Bernard and were given a land grant at Woodlake in St. Bernard. They lived there and raised their family. Later my ancestor Estevan Nunez married Sebastiana Delgado whose family was originally from Aguimes in Gran Canaria. My family tree will be mailed to you. Manuel was born in La Laguna, Tenerife. I was so excited to find someone who had researched and published information on the artistic side of the Nunez's in St. Bernard. Jazz music is an integral part of the culture of the New Orleans area and the Islenos and as Marie has found. The Nunez family was an important part of that culture. Marie, I thank you for your countless hours of research and I look forward to working with you. Joan Nunez Phillips
Liebe Marie Theres, gratuliere zu diesem tollen Projekt! Wenn hier in Muenchen der Winter immer noch ums Haus blaest, oeffne ich die Diximania-Seite und hoere den satten Sound. Schon scheint die Sonne und es stellt sich das Fruehlingsfeeling ein ! Auf bald, Deine Sabine
Dear Marie Theres- Just a personal note of thanks for this most interesting article on the link of the Islenos and Jass''Jazz" in Louisiana and the Americas. You have completed a very thorough study of Alcide Nunez and dixiemania... Congratulations on this great success. I have forwarded your e-mail to Dot Benge, President of the Los Islenos Heritage and Cultural Society. We can also forward to all who have e-mails in our organization. Also, I will see that Craig Taffaro, Parish President of St. Bernard Parish has access to same. Once again, many thanks for all your hard work and efforts, I thoroughly enjoyed the many links that were so interesting in historical data! Please look up "Irvan Perez" you can review a movie called "Mosquitoes and High Waters" Also try "Irvan Perez-River of Songs" you will enjoy. He was our most famous decima singer. Hugs and Kisses to a fascinating Lady. Donna Maria Mumfrey-Martin