Upcoming: Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ Apollo Theater

Preservation Hall Jazz Band returns to McKittrick Hotel

Watch: Preservation Hall's "That's It' Music Video

The video for the title track to Preservation Hall Jazz Band's new record, That's It!—their thirtieth release—was created by director/choreographer Jo Roy and friends via Genero.tv, a user-submitted site that connects filmmakers with bands. It is cool. Tubas.

Buzzfeed: 15 Quintessential New Orleans Brass Acts

#1 Rebirth Brass Band

WHAT THEY’RE KNOWN FOR: Being the very first ones to add a little funk to traditional brass arrangements.

 
These ambassadors of brass were formed in 1983 by local legends the Frazier brothers and trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, alongside members of their high school marching band in the Treme at the time.
WHERE YOU CAN SEE THEM: Every Tuesday night at the Maple Leaf Bar in the Carollton neighborhood Uptown

SEE THE REST OF THE LIST HERE

Watch: Preservation Hall Jazz Band, "That's It" | Talks At Google

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.

Directed by Lee Stimmel
Audio Engineering : John Clemente, David Rosenberg & Jordan Adamson
Cameras: Andrew McCardle
Edited by Matthew Hendershot

Watch: Preservation Hall Jazz Band perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Preservation Hall Jazz Band Residency @ McKittrick Hotel

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.

LISTEN HERE

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!"

Preservation Hall Jazz Band returns to McKittrick Hotel Next Week

Watch: "Big Chief" Superjam feat. Dr. John, Dan Auerbach, Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ Bonnaroo

Upcoming: Crescent City Stomp feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ McKittrick Hotel

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.

Watch: Preservation Hall Jazz Band performing with Stevie Wonder tonight (10/24) @ United Nations

Preservation Hall Jazz Band On World Cafe

LISTEN TO WORLD CAFE PERFORMANCE HERE

This week, World Cafe invites you to discover the music of New Orleans with the series Sense of Place.

World Cafe, with host David Dye, presents a special performance of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, recorded in the birthplace of jazz. It's a special "tuba summit" in two parts, focusing on the tuba players from some New Orleans staples and their connection to the famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Ben Jaffe is the current director of the PHJB, and from good New Orleans stock — in fact, his parents founded the Hall. The group itself is world-renowned, playing at Carnegie Hall and for British Royalty in its quest to bring New Orleans jazz to everyone.

 

Jaffe plays the sousaphone, upright bass and banjo. Phil Frazier, another tuba player, is at the heart of another famous New Orleans jazz group, which he founded while in high school 27 years ago. The Rebirth Brass Band is true to its name, bringing hope to a city that's been through a lot — it played for countless evacuees in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Kirk Joseph is the third skilled tuba player in this group, and he helped found Dirty Dozen Brass Band, which has revived much of the brass-band culture in New Orleans today. Joseph is known for his modern tuba style, which incorporates elements of Dixieland jazz and funk.

In this interview, Dye talks with Jaffe about the fascinating history of PHJB and its decades-long history of high-profile touring. Next up, Joseph and Frazier discuss the tuba's evolution in New Orleans music and compare the instrument to the quarterback of a football team — there's only one, and it's a key position. The session is rounded out by a number of jazz pieces, recorded live.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ Symphony Space

To all the hip New Yorkers and neighboring Pres Hall cats (katz). The Preservation Hall Jazz Band are making their returning visit to your Eastern metropolis since their devastating 50th Anniversary performance at Carnegie Hall, which was this past January.

Our only question is...

ARE YOU READY FOR MORE?

JOIN the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (#PHJB) on Broadway at the Symphony Space on JUNE 13th (8PM) and experience the magic only found in the BIG EASY!

See you THERE!

 TICKETS are AVAILABLE for PHJB LIVE! @ SYMPHONY SPACE 6/13 Here

NY Times: Preservation Hall's Legacy

Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Crescent City Stomp @ McKittrick Hotel

Upcoming: Preservation Hall Jazz Band 50th Anniversary at Carnegie Hall (onsale Friday)

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.

Bluegrass and Jazz Bands, With More in Common Than You’d Think

By BEN RATLIFF

Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times

Del McCoury’s bluegrass group and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band did the proper adult thing on Wednesday night: they resolved their differences, surrounded by expensive claret.

On “American Legacies” (McCoury Music), their recent joint album, they’ve explicitly made their traditions melt together. This is an old story. Louis Armstrong did it with Jimmie Rodgers; Wynton Marsalis did it with Willie Nelson. The pairing is not a stretch, though it can seem to be. For the first half of the 20th century bands from putatively different traditions implicitly understood their common origins and points of crossover. And their repertories overlapped. Type in the song title “Corrine, Corrina” on YouTube and you’ll get Red Nichols’s jazz version, Bo Carter’s string-band blues version, and various shades of country into rock ’n’ roll from the Collins Kids, Ray Peterson, Brooks & Dunn, Big Joe Turner, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Or you could do the same with “Milenberg Joys,” which the combined bands played near the end of their set at City Winery on Wednesday. It’s a song that Mr. McCoury — raised in the Black Mountain region of North Carolina — knew because he used to play it in Bill Monroe’s band, and the jazz group knew because Jelly Roll Morton wrote it. (The dynastic Preservation Hall band, from New Orleans, was founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe, parents of its current tuba player and director, Ben Jaffe; it has no original members, but the current lineup is full of familial and professional ties to the group’s past.) In that song, and in a few other places, the musicians did right by the audience: they made music subtly pan across the stage, from one band to another, so you could hear the difference in rhythmic temperament, whether in grooves or in solos.

At full strength 12 musicians stood onstage, jazz guys to the left, bluegrass to the right. The Preservation Hall band used funk and parade beats and slid into the beginning of each bar, making the “one” indistinct; by contrast, Mr. McCoury’s group bit down hard on it.

Although Mr. McCoury filled half the set with his high, clean, no-nonsense voice, there was a lot more Preservation Hall in the mix; trumpet, trombone, saxophone and tuba walked all over guitar, banjo, mandolin and string bass. (The singing styles of the Preservation Hall musicians — the trumpeter Mark Braud and the saxophonist Clint Maedgen — take up more space than Mr. McCoury, through various shades of showiness.) And the Preservation Hall band’s strong drummer, Joe Lastie, stamped an irrefutable, seductive groove deep into each song.

There were lessons and discoveries in all of that, but you wouldn’t want to overthink it; the music was too amiable and easy to like.