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.
