Preservation Hall Jazz Band

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter and founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The building that houses Preservation Hall has housed many businesses over the years, including a tavern during the war of 1812, a photo studio, and an art gallery. It was during the years of the art gallery that then owner, Larry Bornstein, began holding informal jam sessions for his close friends. Out of these sessions grew the concept of Preservation Hall, an intimate venue whose weathered exterior has been untouched over its history. It remains a living embodiment of its original vision and to this day serves no drinks, has no air conditioning or other typical accoutrements, and welcomes people of all ages interested in “having one of the last pure music experiences left on the earth.” The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been referred to by one music critic as “a bridge across the ages — a link between the present day and the heyday of traditional New Orleans music.” It is the mission of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to preserve this joyful and timeless music that evolved in New Orleans around the turn of the century by bringing the music to contemporary audiences worldwide. Some of the creators of this style of music are still with the ensemble and the current band includes musicians who range in age from 29 to 88. Many of the band’s charter members performed with the pioneers who invented jazz in the early twentieth century including Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, and Bunk Johnson. As Louis Armstrong himself put it, “Preservation Hall…. now that’s where you’ll find all the greats.” Band leaders over the band’s history include the brothers Willie and Percy Humphrey, husband and wife Billie and De De Pierce, famed pianist Sweet Emma Barrett, and, in the modern day, Wendall and John Brunious (who recently passed away). The band, which has toured consistently since 1963, is currently performing worldwide, making new recordings, developing new collaborations and perhaps carrying an even sharper mandate of cultural preservation as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
“Band members enticed the assembled to clap, sing, and cheer on their favorite soloists. If there was anyone in the near capacity crowd who didn’t have a good time, let them come forward now.”—Los Angeles Times. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band comprises a rotating group of about a dozen musicians. On this tour the band is: Mark Braud, trumpet & vocals; Clint Maegden, vocals; Elliott “Stackman” Callier, reeds; Frederick Lonzo, trombone; Rickie Monie, piano; Walter Payton, bass & vocals; and Joseph Lastie Jr., drums.

$20–$45 Member, Student and Multiple Concert Sales Discounts available at Outpost Performance Space Box Office 505-268-0044; Lensic Box Office 505-988-1234; or on the web www.ticketssantafe.org