It's probably too late to get Santa or Brown to deliver it for Christmas, but there is a new recording of Preservation Hall Jazz Band music out there. NPR has a nice feature about the box set, as well as a couple of samples you can listen to online. Michele Norris interviews Ben Jaffe, who
grew up in Preservation Hall. His father Allan founded it in 1961 as a way to keep New Orleans' signature sound alive.
The tapes that make up the new collection have a special claim to represent the survival of New Orleans jazz.
"One of the experiences that I had was going back to the old recording studio my dad used to record at, [Sea-Saint], Allen Toussaint's recording studio in the Gentilly area, which was one of the hardest-hit areas in New Orleans."
Jaffe feared venturing into Sea-Saint because he thought he wouldn't be able to find the treasure trove of master tapes. The studio had been badly damaged by the waters, and hundreds of recordings by The Meters, Fats Domino, The Neville Brothers and more were all under water.
"I felt like I was in a church that had been destroyed," Jaffe says. "I mean, this was my church, these were the bands that I grew up listening to, and they gave me all the joy of my life. To see something that was so precious gone forever — I haven't been able to process it."
Miraculously, all the Preservation Hall tapes had been stored above the top shelf, just three inches above the water line, and all survived.
About a year ago, Professor Schaff and I were fortunate enough to spend a couple hours in Preservation Hall. It is about as unique a venue as you will ever find: a primitive room with long wooden benches, few lights, and no running water. Well, except for during hurricanes. The audience practically sits in the band's lap. The tickets were very affordable, but if you find yourself in the Quarter and want to hear the real thing, get there early. There are almost always more folks in line than there are seats.
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