Upcoming: Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ Apollo Theater

NPR First Listen: Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 'That's It!'

There's a magnificent design to the 's new album. The 11 songs hang together so well that, like the most flattering gowns, they seem to be cut on the bias.

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Out July 9, That's It! features entirely original material — a first in Preservation Hall's 50-year tradition. Like previous recordings, the music conjures the band's intimate performance space, just a can-kick away from the crush of Bourbon Street. That's where jazz masters in black trousers, crisp white shirts and sensible shoes welcome fans nightly to sit at their feet. But this time around, sitting is not an option. The musicians are presenting their songs, and they're playing hotter, harder and more smartly than ever.
From Joseph Lastie Junior's opening drum beat, the ensemble pushes music lovers to dance. Just listen to the horns in the title track — especially Mark Braud on trumpet and Ben Jaffe on tuba. That sound and those rhythms are what Jelly Roll Morton was talking about when he described the "Latin tinge" in New Orleans music.

There's a mid-20th-century feel to songs like "Come With Me," "Sugar Plum" and "Yellow Moon" which calls to mind a particular vintage of cool. It conjures images of Sidney Poitier on the dance floor — refined, sexy and all grown up.

Each song has its own fun. "August Nights" bespeaks a continental moodiness worthy of Jacques Brel smoking in the rain, while "Rattlin' Bones" is a spooky treat, set to hilarious effect in a graveyard. Braud's trumpet is, again, perfect. But trombonist Freddie Lonzo is on vocals and he steals the show; he's half Boris Karloff, half .

In fact, all the vocalists here are top-drawer, including Clint Maedgen (sax) and a shouting Ronell Johnson (tuba). Charlie Gabriel (clarinet) deserves particular mention for his affectionate tone, which gives the recording its emotional heft and recalls the original, legendary performers at Preservation Hall.
At its heart, That's It! is a memory trick, managing to sound both familiar and fresh. But this is more than a live performance by a hot band. Producers Ben Jaffe and Jim James of have created a unique sound, to the point where it may not be possible to replicate it.

Any idea what makes a piano solo like "Emmalena's Lullaby" so haunting? Jaffe and his clever engineers miked the original studio performance at Preservation Hall and had it pressed onto vinyl in Memphis. Then they recorded the vinyl as it played in a 1950s dance hall outside the French Quarter. Not until the end of the process did anyone hear the sound they were hoping to achieve. And when they did, somebody had to say it: "That's it!"

Upcoming: Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ City Winery

Preservation Hall Jazz Band - 2/28

Thursday, February 28 2013 6:00pm Doors / 8:00pm Start 

Tickets VIP $45.00 Premier $45.00 Reserved $40.00 Bar Stool $35.00 buy tickets

The PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The band has traveled worldwide spreading their mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, this music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit. Under the auspices of current director, Ben Jaffe, the son of founders Allan and Sandra, Preservation Hall continues with a deep reverence and consciousness of its greatest attributes in the modern day as a venue, band, and record label. 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 Borenstein, began holding informal jam sessions for his close friends. Out of these sessions grew the concept of Preservation Hall. The intimate venue, whose weathered exterior has been untouched over its history, is a living embodiment of its original vision. To this day, Preservation Hall has no drinks, air conditioning, or other typical accoutrements strictly welcoming people of all ages interested in having one of the last pure music experiences left on the earth. The PHJB began touring in 1963 and for many years there were several bands successfully touring under the name Preservation Hall. 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. 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. These founding 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.

NY Times: Preservation Hall's Legacy

Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Crescent City Stomp @ McKittrick Hotel

Watch: Preservation Hall Jazz Band on Austin City Limits (after Steve Miller)

Watch The Steve Miller Band / Preservation Hall Jazz Band on PBS. See more from Austin City Limits.

Listen Live: Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ City Winery

FROM NEW ORLEANS...

...to New York City, it's an FUV Live broadcast with Preservation Hall Jazz Band from the stage of City Winery! Listen live, tonight at 8pm.

In Pictures: Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ City Winery & Houndstooth Pub

By Dino Perrucci Photography

Preservation Hall Jazz Band - City Winery, NYC 11/3/10



Preservation Hall Jazz Band - City Winery, NYC 11/3/10


Preservation Hall Jazz Band - City Winery, NYC 11/3/10


Mark Braud - Houndstooth Pub, NYC 11/3/10


Danny Clinch & Ben Jaffe - Houndstooth Pub, NYC 11/3/10