Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Celebration of New Orleans by: Ken Pickering

Celebration of New Orleans featuring:

Preservation Hall Jazz Band &Trombone Shorty

By: Ken Pickering / Artistic Director

Preservation Hall is an iconic name in the jazz world – many folks of a certain age, even non-jazz fans are well aware of this legendary band and New Orleans music hall. Younger generations, maybe not so much, if known at all the band might be thought of as a historical curiosity or possibly that term old modern jazzers used to describe followers of the trad scene – “mouldy figs”. Well, listen up! Here’s the deal - as a good music biz friend of mine quipped, “This Preservation Hall ain’t the band you’re parents listened too!”

We’re incredibly fortunate that circumstances allowed us this wonderful opportunity to put together an exciting Marquee Series opening night double bill (Friday, June 22nd @ Orpheum Theatre) that contrasts two very different styles of New Orleans music from traditional to modern, yet also shows us some of the common threads and similarities that connect the dots over a century of Louisiana music regardless of style. The truth of the matter is that Trombone Shorty grew up at the altar of Preservation Hall and in some ways we might think about Shorty as a modern progression of those traditional brass band sounds that he heard as a young lad.

Preservation Hall has been an institution (watch, 50 Exhibit at New Orleans Old US Mint) in New Orleans for 50 years, yet the post-Katrina devastation of the Crescent City in 2005 was a game changer in so many ways. This traumatic period in New Orleans history threatened the very existence of Preservation Hall (the venue and the band), but the support of the larger music community coming together, from indie rockers to traditional jazz bands and beyond ensured that a local tradition would not only survive it would continue to grow and prosper. Life and music are intertwined in New Orleans - the city known as the birthplace of jazz (great doc with Satchmo and more) has musical roots that can be traced back to the African influence in the early 1800’s. A rich cultural mix unlike anywhere else, the history of New Orleans music is characterized by various hybrids and influences that have spawned some of the most celebrated musicians of the 20^th century, from Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Wynton Marsalis, to The Meters, Professor Longhair and Dr. John.

With gradually changing personnel over the years, Preservation Hall Jazz Band has maintained continuity of personnel through their musical families. Many band members come from multi generational music families with direct lineage to their predecessors (Allen Jaffe, Joe Lastie etc) in the band, the musicians in this iconic band all have this music in their blood. At this stage of Preservation Hall’s half-century musical arc the band can traverse styles, moving from traditional brass band to rhythm and blues, roots rock and gospel with ease. What’s great is that they always perform with an authenticity that is true to their roots and respectful to their Crescent City heritage. On that note check out this amazing tune: Preservation Hall with Tom Waits! Tooty Ma is a Big Fine Thing was released in a limited edition 78 rpm vinyl in 2010 available at Preservation Hall. Must be out of print but worth looking for!

In January the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band celebrated its 50^th anniversary with an incredible show at Carnegie Hall (trailer) in NYC that featured an impressive array of high profile musicians guesting with the venerable New Orleans institution.  Allen Toussaint, Blind Boys of Alabama, My Morning Jacket, Steve Earle, bluegrass legend Del McCoury and Trombone Shorty were among the guests enlisted to ensure that their anniversary concert would be one for the ages.  By all accounts it was.

 No longer big news, it’s common knowledge that Trombone Shorty (Troy Andrews) has taken the music world by storm in recent years with his incessant touring and incredibly powerful live shows. Having grown up in the Tremé district of New Orleans (as portrayed on award winning HBO series) Trombone Shorty (who appears in 4 episodes) hasn’t even reached the age of 30 yet! This cat has already toured in support of Jeff Beck and Dave Matthews, recorded with Eric Clapton, Lenny Kravitz and Dr. John.

Trombone Shorty

Everywhere he tours (all of the world in fact) he wins over audiences with his joyous New Orleans brew. His albums don’t really tell the full story, lacking some of the impact of his potent electrifying live performances. Many of you heard his Vogue show at last year’s festival – so you know first hand what I’m talking about here; Trombone Shorty has one of the most seriously rockin’ kick ass bands around. At its core his sound has a traditional street marching vibe, but brings on modern rap, rock and funk tactics that transform the music and broadens the appeal. The New Orleans brew becomes a rock and roll stew. Video.

This concert is a celebration of the essence of New Orleans music and the strength of its people. We hope that you’re as excited as we are! Opening night party!