Preservation Hall

Preservation Hall Traditional New Orleans music, since 1961. Join us for nightly shows back home at The Hall. December tickets available now. The jam sessions at 726 St.
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The story of Preservation Hall dates back to the 1950s at Associated Artists, a small art gallery at 726 St. Peter Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Upon opening the gallery the proprietor Larry Borenstein found that it curtailed his ability to attend the few remaining local jazz concerts, and began inviting these musicians to perform “rehearsal sessions” in the gallery itself. These sessions

featured living legends of New Orleans Jazz – George Lewis, Punch Miller, Sweet Emma Barrett, Billie and De De Pierce, The Humphrey Brothers, and dozens more. During this period, traditional jazz had taken a backseat in popularity to rock n’ roll and bebop, leaving many of these players to work odd jobs. Although concerted efforts by aficionados such as William “Bill” Russell succeeded in recording and documenting this fading artform during the “New Orleans Jazz Revival” of the 1940s, venues that offered live New Orleans jazz were few and far between. Before long, Borenstein’s sessions took on a life of their own; enthusiasts of the music gravitated toward the gallery, including a young couple from Pennsylvania named Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The Jaffes arrived in New Orleans in 1960, on an extended honeymoon from Mexico City. During their visit they conversed with a few jazz musicians in Jackson Square who were on their way to “Mr. Larry’s Gallery.” As avid fans of New Orleans jazz, the honeymooners followed the musicians and were introduced to Borenstein along with a number of living jazz greats that had gathered that evening for a jam session. Needless to say, they were enraptured by what they saw and heard. The music was pure and unaffected by the swaying of popular music. Most of these musicians were elderly, many of whom were contemporaries of Buddy Bolden and other early jazz practitioners. The Jaffes knew they happened upon something special and soon after moved to New Orleans permanently. Peter became much more frequent, so much that Borenstein moved his gallery to the building next door. Performances were held nightly for donations and were organized by a short-lived not-for-profit organization, The New Orleans Society for The Preservation of Traditional Jazz. Shortly after the Jaffes returned to New Orleans, Borenstein passed the nightly operations of the hall to Allan Jaffe on a profit-or-loss basis, and Preservation Hall was born. Operating as a family business, Preservation Hall supported the unique culture of traditional jazz in New Orleans, which developed in the local melting pot of African, Caribbean, and European musical traditions at the turn of the 20th century. Preservation Hall was a rare space in the South where racially-integrated bands and audiences shared music together during the Jim Crow era. At the center of that family business, the Jaffe’s became involved in the southern Civil Rights Movement (and were even persecuted) as heads of an integrated venue in a time of cruelly-policed racial segregation. The nightly jazz concerts at Preservation Hall gathered a significant amount of press interest from its inception, first from local media, then a year later from national outlets, such as The New York Times and the Brinkley News Hour. As time went on, Allan believed the success of both the Hall and its mission of preservation would require these bands to tour, and in 1963, he organized the newly minted Preservation Hall Jazz Band for a string of performances in the Midwest. True to Jaffe’s estimation, the tour was a success and interest in the band and the rediscovery of New Orleans music stretched as far as Japan. The following decades found the band traveling and featured on a wide array of performances, from The Filmore West with the Grateful Dead to the palace of the King of Thailand (who sat in on alto sax). Following Allan Jaffe’s untimely passing in 1987, Preservation Hall and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band now operate under the leadership of the Jaffes' second son, Benjamin. Twitter:
Instagram:
preservationhall.com
preservationhalljazzband.com/
preshallfoundation.org/

Treat your favorite people to gifts that bring the warmth of Preservation Hall into their lives. 🎄From limited-edition v...
12/06/2024

Treat your favorite people to gifts that bring the warmth of Preservation Hall into their lives. 🎄

From limited-edition vinyl to cozy apparel, our holiday collection offers something for everyone. Shop now for the music lovers you love most!

preservation-hall-store.myshopify.com/

Portraits of Mr.Kevin Louis on our first night back at The Hall by Steve Rapport Photography  🎺 ❤️Tickets to December ni...
12/03/2024

Portraits of Mr.Kevin Louis on our first night back at The Hall by Steve Rapport Photography 🎺 ❤️

Tickets to December nightly shows at The Hall available now at: https://www.preservationhall.com/calendar/

We’re coming home! Preservation Hall is ready to welcome you back this December. It’s still the same Hall you know and l...
12/02/2024

We’re coming home! Preservation Hall is ready to welcome you back this December. It’s still the same Hall you know and love—just built to last even longer. Join us for the magic of nightly shows, just in time for the Holiday season.

⏰Today only! Spend $75 or more and snag a FREE drum ornament on us. 🥁It's our way of saying thank you this Cyber Monday....
12/02/2024

⏰Today only! Spend $75 or more and snag a FREE drum ornament on us. 🥁It's our way of saying thank you this Cyber Monday. Offer ends at 11:59PM CST, so shop now at the link in bio! 🎶🔗

🎷 Black Friday is here! 🎷 Enjoy 20% off the entire store now through Sunday at 11:59 PM CST. No code needed—discount is ...
11/29/2024

🎷 Black Friday is here! 🎷 Enjoy 20% off the entire store now through Sunday at 11:59 PM CST. No code needed—discount is automatically applied at checkout. Don’t miss out!

🎄Shop now at the link in bio!

Tickets for Preservation Hall @ Toulouse are now available for Saturday, November 16th - get yours now at preservationha...
11/14/2024

Tickets for Preservation Hall @ Toulouse are now available for Saturday, November 16th - get yours now at preservationhall.com/calendar

Catch Preservation Hall at Toulouse Theater in November as our residency continues through the fall! Tickets available n...
10/18/2024

Catch Preservation Hall at Toulouse Theater in November as our residency continues through the fall! Tickets available now at preservationhall.com/calendar

10/11/2024

Mari Wantanabe plays a rendition of Lil' Hardin Armstrong's "Boogie Me" at Toulouse Theater.

Pianist, composer and ex-wife of Louis Armstrong, Lil' Hardin Armstrong composed and played on countless recordings over the span of her career with musicians from all over the country. Mari's rendition reflects Hardin's distinctive swing influence and rolling left hand bassline.

We are so excited to be inducting Mari into our Preservation Hall Foundation Legacy Program this year

Closing out   this weekend at Toulouse Theatre  featuring performances from the incredible Wendell Brunious, Leroy Jones...
10/03/2024

Closing out this weekend at Toulouse Theatre featuring performances from the incredible Wendell Brunious, Leroy Jones & Gregg Stafford.

NOLA x NOLA
Visit New Orleans
New Orleans & Company
New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund - NOTCF

10/03/2024

- "Tailgate Ramble" live at Preservation Hall on June 3rd, 2010.

Featuring: Mr. Charlie Gabriel on vocals & Mr. Freddie Lonzo on Trombone 🎵

This song got its name from "Tailgate" trombone which originated in early 20th-century New Orleans music. To make space for other instruments, trombonists had to sit on wagon tailgates during parade. Mr. Freddie Lonzo demonstrates bold slides and rhythmic "smears," the style became a hallmark of traditional New Orleans jazz, remaining influential in modern second-line parades and performances.

This week for NOLAxNOLA - tickets available at preservationhall.com/calendar NOLA x NOLA  Visit New Orleans  New Orleans...
09/25/2024

This week for NOLAxNOLA - tickets available at preservationhall.com/calendar

NOLA x NOLA
Visit New Orleans
New Orleans & Company
New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund - NOTCF

09/24/2024

Sweet moments at Preservation Hall x Toulouse from the summer ❤️

The residency continues through the fall! Rest of September & October tickets available now:

www.preservationhall.com/calendar

09/19/2024

- The Preservation Hall Jazz Band plays "Hindusan" live at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA for a crowd of over 5,000. Shot & aired in 1974 on WNET.

We're gearing up for some super special Preservation Hall shows at the historic Toulouse Theater during the fourth annua...
09/17/2024

We're gearing up for some super special Preservation Hall shows at the historic Toulouse Theater during the fourth annual NOLAxNOLA, an 11-day celebration of New Orleans music from September 27th - October 6th. Thank you for championing our local venues!

Tickets for our NOLAxNOLA events and remaining October shows are available now at preservationhall.com/calendar

NOLA x NOLA
New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund - NOTCF
New Orleans & Company
WWOZ 90.7 FM New Orleans

As Francine makes its way to the Louisiana coast, we are taking precautions to ensure the safety of our musicians, team ...
09/10/2024

As Francine makes its way to the Louisiana coast, we are taking precautions to ensure the safety of our musicians, team members and patrons. Preservation Hall has suspended performances at Toulouse Theatre for tonight, Wednesday and Thursday. 

The Preservation Hall Foundation is prepared to provide emergency relief resources to the musicians in the form of financial assistance, storm preparation and other needs that may arrive during this time.  We are monitoring the storm closely and will remain vigilant throughout.  

Thank you for your continued support.
- Ben Jaffe and Preservation Hall Foundation

Our Labor Day Sale ends TOMORROW - shop now for 15% off our entire store. Full store linked in bio.
09/01/2024

Our Labor Day Sale ends TOMORROW - shop now for 15% off our entire store.

Full store linked in bio.

T-SHIRT BLOWOUT SALE- for a limited time only all T-shirts are 20% off - discount applied at checkout. Click the link be...
08/15/2024

T-SHIRT BLOWOUT SALE- for a limited time only all T-shirts are 20% off - discount applied at checkout. Click the link below to shop discounted tees & all apparel.

Discount ends this Saturday, 8/17 at midnight CST.

SHOP HERE: https://preservation-hall-store.myshopify.com/

Address

726 Street Peter St
New Orleans, LA
70116

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 9:45pm
Tuesday 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Wednesday 5pm - 9:30pm
Thursday 5pm - 9:30pm
Friday 5pm - 9:30pm
Saturday 5pm - 9:30pm
Sunday 5pm - 9:30pm

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The Story of Preservation Hall

Established in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Preservation Hall is a historic music venue founded in 1961 to honor one of America’s truest forms of art: Traditional New Orleans Jazz.

Although the Preservation Hall building at 726 St. Peter Street has served many purposes over the years, including a private residence as early as 1750, a tavern during the war of 1812 and a photo studio in the early 1900s, the story of Preservation Hall dates back to the 1950s, when the building housed a small gallery called Associated Artists. Owner Larry Borenstein found the business was curtailing his ability to attend the few remaining jazz concerts in New Orleans, so he began inviting local musicians to perform “rehearsal sessions” in the gallery itself. These sessions featured living legends of New Orleans jazz, including George Lewis, Punch Miller, Sweet Emma Barrett, Billie and De De Pierce, the Humphrey brothers and dozens more.

During this period, traditional jazz had taken a backseat in popularity to rock n’ roll and bebop, leaving many of these players to work odd jobs. Although concerted efforts by aficionados such as William “Bill” Russell succeeded in recording and documenting this fading art form during the “New Orleans Jazz Revival” of the 1940s, venues that offered live New Orleans jazz were few and far between. Despite this dip in popularity, before long, Borenstein’s sessions took on a life of their own; enthusiasts of the music gravitated toward the gallery, including a young couple from Pennsylvania named Allan and Sandra Jaffe.

The Jaffes arrived in New Orleans in 1960 on an extended honeymoon from Mexico City. During their visit, they conversed with a few jazz musicians in Jackson Square who were on their way to “Mr. Larry’s Gallery.” As avid fans of New Orleans jazz, the honeymooners followed the musicians and were introduced to Borenstein along with a number of living jazz greats that had gathered that evening for a jam session. Needless to say, they were enraptured by what they saw and heard. The music was pure and unaffected by the swaying of popular music. Most of these musicians were elderly, many of whom were contemporaries of Buddy Bolden and other early jazz practitioners. The Jaffes knew they stumbled upon something special, and moved to New Orleans permanently soon after.

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