by A trumpet-playing girl in New Orleans asks what Santa is in French, what a bayou is, and where jazz began
A Letter to Santa from New Orleans, Louisiana
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa! My name is Chloe and I am 8 years old. I live in New Orleans, Louisiana, a city of music, parades, and old French street names. I love playing the trumpet and eating beignets. My question is: what is Santa Claus called in French? My geography question is: what is a bayou? And my social studies question is: where did jazz music begin? Merci, Santa!
Love, Chloe (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hello Chloe! A trumpet player who loves beignets lives in just the right city for this question. In French, I am called Pere Noel, which means Father Christmas. And in your own New Orleans, with its deep French roots and French street names, that name feels right at home. So if you ever wish to greet me in French, you may call out joyeux Noel, Pere Noel, and I will tip my hat to you with a hearty laugh.
Your geography question: what is a bayou
A bayou is a slow-moving, marshy waterway, often shaded by mossy trees, found in the low, wet lands around your own New Orleans. Bayous wind quietly through the landscape and are full of life, from herons to alligators. They are a special and beautiful part of southern Louisiana. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: where jazz began
Jazz music was born right in your own New Orleans more than a hundred years ago. It grew from the blending of many cultures and musical styles, with brass bands, rhythm, and lots of room for musicians to improvise and play from the heart. From your city, jazz spread across the whole world. Every time you lift your trumpet, you carry on that proud tradition. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Play a bright jazz tune for me, Chloe. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
