Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 8:00pm

An Evening of Wine and Jazz - Join for a free wine tasting courtesy of No. 109 Cheese and Wine in the lobby at 7:15pm

Big Easy Music Award Winners for "2012 Ambassadors of New Orleans Music" & "Best Traditional Jazz 2011"

It only takes a few opening notes for the iconic Preservation Hall Jazz Band to transport listeners to 1950's New Orleans. With a multigenerational line up that consists of a cross section of seasoned players and younger instrumentalists, the Preservation Hall Jazz band is one of most entertaining and historically exciting bands you are likely to see in these modern times.

The band is named after Preservation Hall in New Orleans - the building (circa 1817) has served as a watering hole, art gallery, concert hall, and living museum over the years - but it really all started in 1961 when musical husband-and-wife team Alan and Sandra Jaffe, decided that unless somebody did something to preserve the music of New Orleans, it would disappear into the world of rock 'n' roll. So, with little fanfare, they founded Preservation Hall. From its humble beginnings as the site of a weekly jam session among friends, Preservation Hall has grown to become one of the most famous "pure" music venues in New Orleans, offering no drinks, no air conditioning, no frills: just music. Out of this purity, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band was formed and went out on constant tours, spreading the joy of New Orleans jazz around the world.

The founding members of The Preservation Hall Jazz Band's played with the likes of Jelly-Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Buddy Bolden & Sweet Emma Barrett---these legendary artists and dozens of others passed on the lessons of their music to a younger generation who now follow in their footsteps, like the current lineup. Now, under the leadership of founding members' son, Ben Jaffe, the legacy continues with a deep reverence and consciousness of the Dixieland Jazz tradition that started over 50 years ago.

Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, on Saturday Night Live or at Bonaroo Music Fest, for the King of Thailand or at The Ridgefield Playhouse, this music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit that in a way can make audiences feel that the saints are really marching in.

Ticket Price: $50 Orchestra/$45 Mezzanine

Restaurant Sponsor: Piccolo's Pizza & Jazzeria: Enjoy a FREE glass of wine with dinner the night of the show with your ticket stub!

Media Sponsor WSHU Public Radio Group