Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Preservation Hall and Sony RED Distribution announce: Preservation: A Benefit Album featuring Tom Waits, Merle Haggard & more

PRESERVATION HALL AND 

SONY RED DISTRIBUTION ANNOUNCE: 

“PRESERVATION, AN ALBUM BENEFITING PRESERVATION 

HALL AND ITS MUSIC OUTREACH PROGRAM” 

A LANDMARK COLLABORATION BRINGING TOGETHER 

LEGENDARY AND EMERGING ARTISTS INCLUDING PETE 

SEEGER, TOM WAITS, MERLE HAGGARD, JIM JAMES, 

ANDREW BIRD AND MORE FOR A CELEBRATION OF  

NEW ORLEANS MUSIC 

[New Orleans, LA, November 11, 2009] Over the last year, more than 20 of American 

music’s most exciting artists traveled to Preservation Hall in New Orleans to collaborate 

with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on classic New Orleans repertoire.  The end result is 

a timeless and joyous celebration of New Orleans music.  Proceeds from the sale of the 

project will benefit Preservation Hall and The Preservation Hall Music Outreach 

Program.  The album is set for release on Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2010 in standard 

CD, deluxe edition and double-LP collectible formats. 

The mission of Preservation Hall, to showcase and nurture one of America’s greatest 

indigenous national, cultural treasures- New Orleans Jazz, is as important today as it was 

when Preservation Hall officially opened it’s doors in 1961.  

“Our community is deeply rooted in a tradition of using music to rejoice, heal and 

overcome adversity.  We play music at our funerals to uplift our spirits during our 

deepest and darkest emotional moments,” says producer Ben Jaffe, PHJB Creative 

Director and son of Preservation Hall founders Allan and Sandra Jaffe.  “My goal on this 

project was to create new works steeped in the New Orleans Tradition with artists from 

diverse musical genres and backgrounds who all share a mutual admiration and deep 

appreciation for our cultural heritage.” 

From Brandi Carlile’s take on the gospel classic “Old Rugged Cross” to Tom Waits’ 

arrangement of the earliest known recorded Mardi Gras Song, "Tootie Ma Is a Big Fine 

Thing," each artist was able to perform their interpretation of these classics within the 

warm confines of Preservation Hall’s famous performance space. Even New Orleans’ 

own legendary Louis Armstrong, who once said “Preservation Hall, now that’s where 

you’ll hear all the greats,” is transported through the decades and can be heard trading 

licks and vocals on an updated version of his classic “Rockin’ Chair."  

The complete roster of artists includes:  Louis Armstrong, Andrew Bird, Terence 

Blanchard, Pete Seeger, Dr. John, Blind Boys of Alabama, Brandi Carlile, Cory 

Chisel, Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle, Merle Haggard, Richie Havens, Jason Isbell, Jim 

James, Angelique Kidjo, Amy LaVere, Del McCoury, Bobby McFerrin, Buddy 

Miller, Paolo Nutini, and Tom Waits. 

Preservation Hall, located in the French Quarter just three blocks from the Mississippi 

River, remains the intimate venue it originally was when it opened in 1961 as a 

performance space dedicated to honoring, celebrating and perpetuating New Orleans 

jazz.  Originally erected as a Spanish Tavern in the 1750s, Preservation Hall is a modest 

French Quarter structure. The building has no running water or air conditioning, and the 

only seating accommodations are six benches and a few cushions strewn about the worn 

wooden floor.  Its raw and weather-beaten exterior remains unpainted.  

A half-century later, Preservation Hall continues to ensure the cultural legacy and the 

future of this beautiful tradition by allowing young and old to collaborate together. 

In the spirit of New Orleans, legendary and emerging artists donated their time to travel 

to New Orleans to record this special compilation album benefiting Preservation Hall and 

the Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program.   

PRESERVATION, was spearheaded by RED Distribution, who approached 

Preservation Hall for their blessing and collaboration. “We’re honored to be the driving 

force behind a tribute to this iconic body of music and the mission to restore the 

legendary Preservation Hall and its Music Outreach Program,” said Bob Morelli, 

president, RED Distribution in announcing the album.  “We hope this project continues 

to keep philanthropy at the forefront of the music industry, and restores faith that each of 

us can make a difference with just the purchase of a single CD.  We thank all the 

wonderful artists who contributed their time and talent.” 

We'll be posting profiles on all the participating artists on our blog.  Click HERE to read about them!

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