Preservation Hall occupies a worn Creole town house that was originally built as a home in the early 19th century, and that had evolved into an art gallery and performance space by 1961. (It was founded by a man of philanthropic bent who fretted that the great, aging New Orleans musicians no longer had a place to play.) It hasn’t changed much since the ‘60s—audiences cluster on benches or stand along the back wall to hear whomever is playing that night. Among the glories of New Orleans is traditional jazz, which is still very much alive here and never feels as if it belongs in a morgue—or even an intensive care unit. Check the schedule for upcoming acts, but don’t get hung up on specific performers; every night offers something worth stopping by for, and everyone leaves in a better mood than when they arrived.
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Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall occupies a worn Creole town house that was originally built as a home in the early 19th century, and that had evolved into an art gallery and performance space by 1961. (It was founded by a man of philanthropic bent who fretted that the great, aging New Orleans musicians no longer had a place to play.) It hasn’t changed much since the ‘60s—audiences cluster on benches or stand along the back wall to hear whomever is playing that night. Among the glories of New Orleans is traditional jazz, which is still very much alive here and never feels as if it belongs in a morgue—or even an intensive care unit. Check the schedule for upcoming acts, but don’t get hung up on specific performers; every night offers something worth stopping by for, and everyone leaves in a better mood than when they arrived.
Hear Live Jazz in Preservation Hall
Notice a line outside a charmingly ramshackle 18th-century building on St. Peter Street in the French Quarter? It’s a sure sign you’ve reached Preservation Hall, the music non-profit founded in 1961 to “protect, preserve, and perpetuate traditional New Orleans jazz.” Hearing a stirring traditional jazz band concert from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band is an unforgettable and quintessentially New Orleans experience. Seating is limited and most of the venue is standing room only, but there are several shows every night of the week and all ages are welcome.
Hot jazz at historic Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is the best spot in the French Quarter for live jazz. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band will take you back to the early 20th century with some of the hottest jazz you ever did hear. A must-see when you’re in N’awlins.