Preservation Hall, New Orleans
Where New Orleans Jazz Lives
New Orleans, LA - Historic Preservation Hall is like an old coronet in a patina of unshined brass, but blown by a master player. Pretty it is not, but when judged by the superb sounds which come from it, it is beautiful.
Preservation Hall is an idea more than a structure - the structure is imposing. Built as a residence in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter around 1750, it later served as a tavern during the War of 1812. It later became a home for creative artists and writers and eventually an art gallery. Today it is the physically blemished, but artistically impeccable home of the great Preservation Hall Jazz Band when not on tour.
The building needs painting (no one would dare wield a brush), the floorboards are loose (no one would dare nail them), and the seating area consists of old benches, loose cushions, and odd kitchen chairs. An old wicker basket sits near the entrance as a repository for donations to the musicians who “rehearse” there - the same basket used since the 1950’s.
In 1952, when the Hall was still an art gallery the owner, a New Orleans Jazz buff, invited the musicians who helped create this sound early in the century to “rehearse” for his friends. The friends heeded the call of the basket to pay the musicians. Soon the music took over and the art gallery moved next door. In 1961, Sandra and Allan Jaffe, a Pennsylvania couple with affection for jazz, took over the building.
Today, Preservation Hall is a “must-see” for any visitor to New Orleans. Among the jazz lovers who flock to the place are young musicians from all over the world who come to learn how to play New Orleans Jazz - music that will live through these disciples when the great originators now playing are gone. Today, you don’t need to travel to New Orleans to hear this unforgettable music. The Preservation Hall Band spends about four months each year on tour. |
What people are saying about The Preservation Hall Jazz Band...
“The Preservation Hall Jazz Band had them clapping and patting their feet and, finally, marching up one aisle and down another in their high-energy, crowd-satisfying performance.”
Santa Barbara News Press Santa Barbara, CA
“The tradition of New Orleans Jazz championed by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has to be the purest musical expression of the ‘melting pot’ ideal.... Preservation Hall defined that other characteristically American attribute: Where talent reigns, anything goes.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA
"...the crowd was clapping along and the foot-tapping, knee-slapping, head-bobbing spread from there...for the urge to move to their music is a contagion no one can resist...They are masters of their instruments.”
The Greenville News Greenville, SC
“Utahans celebrated Mardi Gras in a style worthy of New Orleans itself: they clapped, stomped, and cheered to the exciting rhythms of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.”
The Desert News, Salt Lake City, Utah
“A full house marveled.”
College Station Eagle College Station, TX
“An excellent performance in the midst of an exquisite environment combined to make it a memorable evening.”
The Press Telegram Cerritos, CA
Click HERE for more information on the History of the band and the Players.
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