The Preservation Hall Jazz Band celebrates its 48th anniversary and its 19th appearance at Irvine Barclay Theatre with its signature brand of New Orleans jazz on Friday, July 10, 2009 at 8 pm.

Since opening its doors to the public in 1961, it has been the mission of Preservation Hall to showcase the national treasures of traditional New Orleans jazz music. Forty-eight years later, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band still represents a wonderful opportunity for music fans the world over to experience this unique music. Boasting a direct lineage from the earliest incarnations of New Orleans jazz, the current roster of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band features some of the Crescent City’s finest and most exciting musicians. These unforgettable, multi-generational players proudly carry on the traditions passed forward from the most prolific jazz heritage on earth.

With the release of their latest CD, New Orleans Preservation, Vol. 1, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has insured that traditional New Orleans Jazz will continue to play a vital role in the American musical landscape. Boasting an impressive collection of classic gems of traditional New Orleans jazz as sung by Charlie Gabriel, Mark Braud, Walter Payton, and Clint Maedgen, this album faithfully reproduces all the energy and spirit that has made this all-star lineup an international sensation for almost fifty years.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band 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.
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 the founders Allan and Sandra, Preservation Hall continues in the modern day, as a venue, band, and record label. (Fortunately, the Hall did not sustain major damage during Hurricane Katrina.)

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 owner Larry Bornstein 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 air conditioning, or other typical accoutrements—it strictly welcomes people of all ages interested in having one of the last pure music experiences on earth.

The band members performing at the Barclay include: Mark Braud, trumpet, vocals; Clint Maedgen, saxophone/vocals; Rickie Monie, piano; Frank Demond, trombone, vocals; Joseph Lastie, Jr, drums; Walter Payton, bass/vocals; Benjamin Jaffe, tuba; Charlie Gabriel, clarinet.

One of the hallmarks of a Preservation Hall Jazz Band concert is the participation of audience members in the concert finale. Concert-goers are invited to wear their Mardi Gras finery and strut their stuff in a Bourbon Street-style parade with parasols in hand as the band plays “When The Saints Go Marching In.”

Irvine Barclay Theatre
4242 Campus Drive, Irvine CA 92612
949-854-4646 | www.thebarclay.org
Tickets: $28