Preservation Brass, Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Biography

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is a legendary ensemble founded in 1961 in New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of the mission to preserve and promote traditional New Orleans jazz. The band originated from informal jam sessions at an art gallery run by Larry Borenstein in the French Quarter, where aging jazz musicians—many of whom had direct ties to the early inventors of jazz—gathered to play for tips. Allan and Sandra Jaffe, enchanted by these performances, took over the running of the venue and formalized it as Preservation Hall, creating a unique space for racially integrated bands and audiences during the Jim Crow era.

Under the Jaffes' leadership, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band began touring in 1963, bringing the authentic sounds of New Orleans jazz to audiences worldwide. The band became a living repository of jazz tradition, with early members such as Sweet Emma Barrett, Billie and De De Pierce, Willie and Percy Humphrey, and Kid Thomas Valentine, many of whom had performed with jazz pioneers like Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, and Louis Armstrong. Over the decades, the band has continued to evolve, integrating younger musicians through an informal apprenticeship system and collaborating with artists from a wide range of genres, all while maintaining its core mission. Today, under the direction of Ben Jaffe, son of the founders, the band remains a vital force in jazz, celebrated for its joyful performances and commitment to cultural preservation.

Fun Facts

• The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has performed for British royalty and the King of Thailand, who once joined them on stage playing alto saxophone.
• Preservation Hall was one of the few racially integrated music venues in the South during the Jim Crow era, playing a role in the Civil Rights Movement.
• The band has collaborated with artists from outside the jazz world, including the Grateful Dead and Steppenwolf.
• There is no air conditioning or bar at Preservation Hall; the focus remains strictly on the music, preserving an authentic experience.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Buddy Bolden - Early jazz pioneer, inspiration for original band members who played with or learned from him (Influence on repertoire and style) [Early 20th century]
• Jelly Roll Morton - Pioneer of jazz piano and composition, direct influence on founding members (Influence on band arrangements) [Early 20th century]
• Louis Armstrong - Iconic jazz trumpeter; several early band members performed with him (Influence on trumpet and vocal style) [1920s–1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Sweet Emma Barrett - Founding pianist and bandleader, featured on early recordings (Sweet Emma and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (1964)) [1960s]
• Billie and De De Pierce - Husband and wife team, trumpet and piano/vocals, led the band in the 1960s (Preservation Hall Jazz Band (1966)) [1960s]
• Willie and Percy Humphrey - Clarinetist and trumpeter brothers, led the band in the 1970s–1980s (Multiple tours and recordings) [1970s–1980s]
• Grateful Dead - Shared concert bill at the Fillmore West, blending jazz and rock audiences (Live performances) [1960s–1970s]
• King of Thailand (Bhumibol Adulyadej) - Sat in on alto saxophone during a performance in Thailand (Live concert) [1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Wendell Brunious - Entered the band as a young trumpeter through the group's apprenticeship system (Performances and recordings as bandleader) [1980s–present]
• Michael White - Clarinetist who joined as a younger musician, later became a leading jazz educator (Performances with the band) [1980s–present]
• Benjamin Jaffe - Son of founders, current bandleader, responsible for modern collaborations and outreach (Recent albums and tours) [2000s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. That's It! (That's It!)
2. Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea (An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program)
3. Choko Mo Feel No Hey (New Orleans Preservation, Vol. 1)
4. Summertime (Songs of New Orleans)
5. Having A Party - Live (Live At Red Rocks)
6. Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing (50th Anniversary Collection)
7. Short Dressed Gal (New Orleans Preservation, Vol. 1)
8. Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home (For Fat Man)
9. Kreyol (A Tuba to Cuba)
10. Basin Street Blues (Songs of New Orleans)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia