Yes, indeed
Preservation Hall Jazz Band has a very rich history.
In an effort to resuscitate the dynamic yet dwindling New Orleans Jazz culture, Allan and Sandra Jaffe moved to New Orleans in 1961 to open Preservation Hall.
Here with me 😎 Ben Jaffe continues his parent's mission in Nawlins.
Their mission? To preserve, perpetuate, and protect traditional New Orleans Jazz.
Operating as a music venue, Preservation Hall offers a nightly stage for jazz musicians to share their craft, keeping New Orleans Jazz alive, current and in its rightful place: on (interactive) display for all to enjoy.
As part of this mission, in 1963, Allan Jaffe hunted and gathered the best musicians around and put together a touring band called, Preservation Hall Jazz Band. To this day, PHJB is sprinkling our world with real, honest, open hearted and extremely Swoony New Orleans Jazz. It's magical. And at 54 years young, you can imagine that PHJB has taken a few different forms. Its current line-up features:
- Ben Jaffe - Tuba and Upright Bass
- Charlie Gabriel - Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone & Vocals
- Clint Maedgen- Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone & Vocals:
- Ronell Johnson - Trombone, Tuba and Vocals
- Kyle A. Roussel - Keys
- Brandon Lewis - Trumpet
- Walter Harris - Drums (you WILL feel these drums)
A signed album belonging to my P's circa 1981
I do declare, Preservation Hall Jazz Band is NOT your grandad's jazz.
See, PHJB isn't just about preserving what has already been... it also focuses on building the present and future. The jazz culture in general is always about creating, interpreting and inventing. PHJB sets the bar for staying current while revelling in the beautiful history that infuses the band with cool.
In Jazz, there is no such thing as old. There is only cool.
So, it should come as no surprise that PHJB released its debut album of original music in 2013, entitled: That's it!. Working closely with guitarist Jim James, the frontman for experimental roots rock band, My Morning Jacket, PHJB renewed themselves, again.
Their latest release, So It Is, was inspired by the band's 2015 "family" trip to Cuba, where Nawlins Jazz visited their not-so-distant cousins Cuban Jazz.
In an interview with RollingStone Ben Jaffe recounted,
“There’s been a connection between Cuba and New Orleans since day one – we’re family,” he said. “A gigantic light bulb went off, and we realized that New Orleans music is not just a thing by itself; it’s part of something much bigger. It was almost like having a religious epiphany.”
Produced by Art-rock mastermind Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio), So It Is, is PHJB's second offering of all original material. And oh maaaaaan, every track is perfection, they're really COOKIN! Composed mostly by Jaffe and Gabriel, many of the pieces also became collaborations with the full band.
Of course, seeing these boys live should be on your bucket list, it's that good, period. I (obv) just saw them @ Highline Ballroom in Manhattan ... If I had been sitting any closer to the stage I would have been doin "The Stroll" with Ronnel Johnson- a very happy place to be, indeed!
Check out their listings below and do get tickets. I promise a room filled with jubilance... no less. They're playing with some outstanding and ecclectic musicians like Beck, Wilco, Spoon and Dave Grohl (linked below 👇🏼 PHJB+Dave on Colbert) AND they're playing Bonnaroo... I mean, you can't miss THAT.
All my ❤️,
Skip to this...
Whaaaat?! Ronnel Johnson, the spark plug trombonist with (lucky) me 😬 . Proud to be a fangirl...
Do Yourself a Solid and Go n'See PHJB
Put This in Your Ears
These Nawlins boys izzzz 🔥 (That's "Santiago" off So It Is ... Told'ya theyz hot!)