Welcome to Preservation Hall

In terms of New Orleans music hallowed ground, perhaps there is none more important than 726 St. Peter Street-Preservation Hall. A tattered instrument case hangs over the door where seven nights a week pass eclectic groups of jazz fans from near and far. Inside the small wooden room, patrons sit on backless benches, squat on the cement floor or peer through the doorways of the adjacent carriageway. The attraction is the best Dixieland jazz New Orleans has to offer. Over the years, such legends as Sweet Emma Barrett, Danny Barker, Kid Punch, George Lewis, Percy and Willie Humphrey, Kid Thomas Valentine, Louis Nelson, Billie and De De Pierce, Tuts Washington-just to name a few-have practiced their art here.

Music has emanated from 726 St. Peter Street for nearly half-a-century. Ironically though, in the beginning (1956), Dixieland music was merely dressing for an art gallery maintained by Larry Borenstein. However, this was a period when many of the old time New Orleans dance halls were being closed and there were fewer venues for live Dixieland. Eventually, art took a back seat to music at 726, as more and more people came there to hear Dixieland. Borenstein eventually turned the building over to Grayson Mills and Barbara Reid, cofounders of the New Orleans Society for the Preservation of Traditional Jazz. In 1961, 726 St. Peter Street was re-christened "Preservation Hall."

After a short period of confusion, Preservation Hall was turned over to Sandra and Allan Jaffe, who had moved to New Orleans from Philadelphia. Under the Jaffees' direction, Preservation Hall became a worldwide attraction. The Jaffees realized early in the game that less is best.

People came to Preservation Hall to hear good music and see their idols at close range. Tables, chairs, and air-conditioning, as well as drinks, food and souvenirs were just a distraction. The Jaffees also realized there was a market for Dixieland outside of Preservation Hall, so they put the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on the road. (At any one time, there could be several Preservation Hall bands working in New Orleans or somewhere else in the world.)

Of course, most of the old masters who were associated with Preservation Hall have long since departed. But it's a new Millennium and Preservation Hall is now under the direction of Allan and Sandra Jaffe's youngest son, Benjamin, who has not only maintained the allure of 726, but enhanced it. If you don't believe it, spend an evening at Preservation Hall and decide for yourself. Get there early though, so you can find a space to sit on the floor close to the bandstand.

If you can’t make it to New Orleans and Preservation Hall, but want to come face-to-face with the best of Dixieland jazz, you can catch the band on the road. In 2001, Preservation Hall partnered with Zatarain’s to bring the Preservation Hall Bus Tour to life. This sponsorship brings together the best of what makes New Orleans one of the most unique cities in the world --- food and wonderful music. Check the tour schedule to see when the band will be playing in your hometown.

- Jeff Hannusch