We recorded this song together with John Oates this Fall and the words resonate so strongly with the passing of Nelson Mandela, one of our great heroes, that we wanted to share them with the world today.

Keep On
Raise your head up high
Freedom is on our side
Its time for us to decide
To keep on trying

Keep on trying
Everyday
Everybody

Keep On - Featuring Clint Maedgen and John Oates

Recorded at Preservation Hall on April 26, 1966 by noted jazz historian William Russell, New Orleans’ Billie and De De and Their Preservation Hall Jazz Band stands as testament to the extraordinary power of one of Preservation Hall’s earliest lineups. Born in Marianna, Florida in 1907, Billie Goodson Pierce was a passionate player of ragtime and blues piano. From her teenage turn playing for blues legend Bessie Smith to her lean depression-era years playing the honkytonks of the French Quarter’s lower Decatur Street, this self-taught player would later become one of the most widely heard performers in the history of New Orleans Jazz. Born in New Orleans in 1904, Joseph “De De” La Croix Pierce was the Creole son of an established brick mason who fell in love with the trumpet at an early age and spent his life balancing his father’s blue collar assertions with his own musical aspiriations. Married on March 28, 1935 with George Lewis as best man, Billie and De De Pierce rarely worked a job that they didn’t play together. With De De on cornet and Billie on piano, the couple had already been together for thirty years by the time this album was recorded. Joined by George Lewis on clarinet, Cie Frazier on drums, Louis Nelson on Trombone, Narvin Kimball on banjo, and Chester Zardis on bass, this record captures some of the greatest jazz musicians from the first half of the twentieth century in the midst of one of the most remarkable comebacks in New Orleans history.

Peanut Vendor

St. Cecilia's Asylum Chorus is returning to Preservation Hall on Sunday, March 25 at 11am for another amazing presentation of Traditional Southern Spirituals and Popular Secular Selections. Representing a broad cross-section of New Orleans’ ever-evolving music scene, St. Cecilia’s Asylum Chorus is a six-piece vocal group led by Lucas Davenport and featuring Hannah Krieger-Benson and Ashley Shabankareh (The Local Skank), Alexandra Scott (Hi-Fi Sky), Amy Trail (The Amy Trail Band, Pat O' Brien's Piano Bar) and Tim Robertson (Amanda Shaw and The Cute Guys) with accompaniment by Marc Stone (Marc Stone Band, Rockin' Dopsie) on guitar and Rick Nelson (The Polyphonic Spree, Twilight Singers) on upright bass. Join us as we celebrate the American tradition of Southern Spiritual arrangements and popular secular selections in the intimate performance space at Preservation Hall on Sunday morning, March 25th. Refreshments will be available. Advance tickets available at www.preservationhall.com/tickets

Will The Circle Be Unbroken / St. Cecilia's Asylum Chorus @ Preservation Hall / 11.06.11

Dejan's Olympia Brass Band
Here Come Da Great Olympia Band (1974)

Founded in 1958 by alto saxophonist Harold “Duke” Dejan, The Olympia Brass Band operated continuously 45 years before Hurricane Katrina scattered its last remaining members to new homes across the country. Boasting an all-star lineup and an intense New Orleans parade repertoire, The Olympia Brass Band was truly one of the greatest in a long tradition of New Orleans marching organizations. Through their standing Sunday night engagement at Preservation Hall, appearances in films like the James Bond feature “Live and Let Die,” and their many European tours, The Olympia Brass Band brought the vibrant street music of New Orleans to music lovers all over the world. Recorded in 1974, at the height of their glory, Here Comfor more than e Da Great Olympia Band features leader Harold “Duke” Dejan backed up by a dozen legends of New Orleans Brass and traditional jazz, including Emmanuel Paul, Milton Batiste, and Kid Sheik Colar. Also, included here for the first time, the digital version of this classic album is accompanied by three previously unavailable tracks from the Olympia Brass Band’s 45rpm single, Mardi Gras 77.

Lord, Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good To Me

Having assembled the archival CD/DVD package Made in New Orleans: The Hurricane Sessions after salvaging tapes from the damaged Preservation Hall, Benjamin Jaffe, son of Allan Jaffe, who ran the hall originally, now executive produces and plays on the first of a series of new Preservation Hall Jazz Band recordings, this one recorded at the hall itself in January 2009. That, of course, is a statement unto itself, as New Orleans continues to recover from Hurricane Katrina nearly four years after its devastation. But the band, now an octet featuring trumpeter Mark Braud, bassist Walter Payton, and drummer Joe Lastie, Jr., uses the opportunity simply to make a classic New Orleans jazz album of traditional material, which is as it should be. The Dixieland sound of several horns soloing at once is often heard, but this is also an eclectic music in which the traditional country of Jimmie Rodgers ("Blue Yodel #9") rubs shoulders with '40s pop (the Ink Spots' "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire"), along with jump blues and early rock &amp; roll ("Choko Mo Feel No Hey," "Halloween"). Braud's growling trumpet on "Sugar Blues" even recalls '20s jazz, and the big showcase number is a version of the earliest jazz tune, "Tiger Rag." Throw in a traditional New Orleans funeral procession ("Westlawn Dirge") and a gospel tune ("What a Friend"), and the album presents a set that covers all the bases for this traditional outfit, playing in its traditional home. 

Tiger Rag

This is what New Orleans music is all about – sacred, profane, jubilant, solemn, loose, funky and fun. Drawing talent from the full cast of players featured in Preservation Hall’s nightly performances, this CD faithfully recreates the verve an energy for which the venue has become so well known.

Track Listing
01. HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
02. EH LA BAS
03. CARELESS LOVE
04. SHAKE THAT THING
05. JUST A LITTLE CLOSER WALK WITH THEE
06. LITTLE LIZA JANE
07. THAT BUCKET'S GOT A HOLE IN IT
08.BACK PORCH

Lucien Barbarin, trombone
Steve Blailock, banjo
John Brunious, trumpet
Maynard Chatters, trombone
Ernie Elly, drums
Daniel Farrow, saxophone
Jacques Gauthe, clarinet
Ralph Johnson, clarinet
Leroy Jones, trumpet
Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen, tambourine
Frank Demond, trombone
Joseph Lastie, drums
Walter Payton, bass
Shannon Powell, drums
Thaddeus Richard, piano
John Royen, piano
Gregg Stafford, trumpet
Don Vappie, banjo
Benjamin Jaffe, bass
Rickie Monie, piano
Dr. Michael White, clarinet

Recorded March 27, 2001 at Preservation Hall, New Orleans

Produced by Benjamin Jaffe

That Bucket's Got A Hole In It

Featuring:
Ronnie McCoury-Mandolin
Mark Braud-Trumpet
Charlie Gabriel-Clarinet
Clint Maedgen-Saxophone
Freddie Lonzo-Trombone
Carl Leblanc-Banjo
Rickie Monie-Piano
Joe Lastie-Drums
Ben Jaffe-Tuba

American Legacies is a vibrant meeting between two legendary bands representing two uniquely American forms of music: New Orleans jazz and traditional bluegrass. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, a 50-year-old institution, and Del McCoury’s band smoothly intertwine their styles on a mix of original compositions and traditional tunes. Some tracks lean a bit closer to one style or the other but all of the songs mesh like they’re part of one musical family, revealing how much jazz and bluegrass have in common, especially the importance of improvisation as shown by the jaw-dropping skill of these musicians. The standard “I’ll Fly Away” begins with a gospel feel before veering into bluegrass territory and back again, Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya” rides a classic New Orleans second-line groove, and the Del McCoury-penned “Banjo Frisco” is a reminder that the banjo was used in jazz ensembles decades before the birth of bluegrass. And the joyous interplay among the musicians is the best part of this project, a joyous tribute to both bands.

Milenberg Joys

PRESERVATION HALL, SONY RED DISTRIBUTION AND MRI ANNOUNCE: "PRESERVATION, AN ALBUM BENEFITING PRESERVATION HALL AND ITS MUSIC OUTREACH PROGRAM"

A LANDMARK COLLABORATION BRINGING TOGETHER LEGENDARY AND EMERGING ARTISTS INCLUDING PETE SEEGER, TOM WAITS, MERLE HAGGARD, JIM JAMES, ANDREW BIRD AND MORE FOR A CELEBRATION OF NEW ORLEANS MUSIC

During 2009, more than 20 of American music's most exciting artists traveled to Preservation Hall in New Orleans to collaborate with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on classic New Orleans repertoire. The end result is a timeless and joyous celebration of New Orleans music. Proceeds from the sale of the project will benefit Preservation Hall and The Preservation Hall Music Oury, Buddy Miller, Paolo Nutini, and Tom Waits.
utreach Program. The album was released on Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2010 in standard CD.

The mission of Preservation Hall, to showcase and nurture one of America's greatest indigenous national, cultural treasures - New Orleans Jazz, is as important today as it was when Preservation Hall officially opened it's doors in 1961.

The complete roster of artists includes: Louis Armstrong, Andrew Bird, Terence Blanchard, Pete Seeger, Dr. John, Blind Boys of Alabama, Brandi Carlile, Cory Chisel, Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle, Merle Haggard, Richie Havens, Jason Isbell, Jim James, Angelique Kidjo, Amy LaVere, Anita Briem, Del McCo 

Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing feat. Tom Waits

A two-disc collection overflowing with songs related to the crescent city or made famous by its legendary performers. Including such popular tunes as “Go To The Mardi Gras,” “Basin Street Blues,” and “Dr. Jazz,” Songs of New Orleans is also the last PHJB recording to feature founding member Narvin Kimball on banjo.

That's A Plenty

A striking performer and a salty personality, Emma Barrett began playing the piano bars and dance halls of New Orleans in 1910 at just twelve years old. This exciting recording, the first album to be produced by Preservation Hall, features Sweet Emma and her band live in performance at the Tyrone Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis on October 18, 196

I'm Alone Because I Love You

Precious Lord

This is what New Orleans music is all about – sacred, profane, jubilant, solemn, loose, funky and fun. Drawing talent from the full cast of players featured in Preservation Hall’s nightly performances, this CD faithfully recreates the verve an energy for which the venue has become so well known. 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shake-that-thing/id258480077
http://www.preservationhallmerch.com/cds_dvds/index.html

Eh La Bas

In commemoration and celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the iconic venue Preservation Hall, the prolific New Orleans jazz legends Preservation Hall Jazz Band are set to release a live recording of the band's acclaimed January 7th performance at Carnegie Hall.  Entitled St. Peter and 57th St. (Rounder Records), the album will feature a number of special guests from an assortment of genres including, George Wein, Del McCoury Band, Allen Toussaint, Ed Helms, GIVERS, Steve Earle, Tao Seeger, My Morning Jacket, Trombone Shorty, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), King Britt, Blind Boys of Alabama, and Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs. This performance was a family reunion in many ways, as Preservation Hall Jazz Band have previously worked with each of their guest musicians over the course of the past 7 years, continuing their mission to preserve and perpetuate traditional New Orleans-Style Jazz.

Bourbon Street Parade

From Preservation Hall Recording's 2004 release

Shannon Powell (Vocals, Drums), Leroy Jones (Trumpet),  Lucien Barbarin (Trombone), Walter Payton (Bass), Thaddeus Richard (Piano), Steve Blailock (Guitar), Daniel Farrow (Tenor Saxophone) 

Little Liza Jane feat. Shannon Powell

From Preservation Hall Recording's 2004 release

Maynard Chatters (Vocals, Trombone), Leroy Jones (Trumpet), Shannon Powell (Drums), Walter Payton (Bass), John Royen (Piano), Steve Blailock (Guitar)

Careless Love feat. Maynard Chatters

From Preservation Hall Recording's 2004 release

Gregg Stafford (Vocals, Trumpet), Lucien Barbarin (Trombone), Ernie Elly (Drums), Walter Payton (Bass), John Royen (Piano), Steve Blailock (Guitar), Jacques Gauthe (Soprano Saxophone)

Back Porch feat. Gregg Stafford

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 founders Allan and Sandra, Preservation Hall continues with a deep reverence and consciousness of its greatest attributes in the modern day as a venue, band, and record label. 
 
The PHJB 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 Wendell 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 like the current lineup. 
 
THE PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND IS: 
 
Ben Jaffe/Creative Director & Tuba: As son of co-founders Allan and Sandra Jaffe, 
Ben has lived his whole life with the rhythm of the French Quarter pulsing through his veins. Raised in the company of New Orleans’ greatest musicians, Ben returned from his collegiate education at Oberlin College in Ohio to play with the group and assume his father’s duties as Director of Preservation Hall. Today he serves as Creative Director for both PHJB and the Hall itself, where he has spearheaded such programs as the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund. 
 
Mark Braud/Trumpet and Vocals: As nephew to two former PHJB leaders, Wendell and John Brunious, Jr., Mark is proud to further his family’s musical legacy in the company of so many historic players. Beginning his career playing with the Olympia Kids, a young players’ offshoot of the famous Olympia Brass Band, Mark has gone on to record, tour, and play with New Orleans legends of both traditional jazz and R&B, including Eddie Bo, Henry Butler, Harry Connick Jr., and Dr. Michael White. 
 
Charlie Gabriel/Clarinet and Vocals: The musical heritage of Charlie Gabriel can be 
traced back as far back as the 1850s. Great-grandson of New Orleans bass player 
Narcesse Gabriel, grandson of New Orleans cornet player Martin Joseph, and son of New Orleans drummer and clarinetist Martin Manuel Gabriel, Charlie is truly a living legend. A t eighty-one years old, the extensive list of musicians with whom he’s played includes well-known PHJB alumni Kid Howard, Kid Sheik, Jim Robinson, and George Lewis. 
 
Clint Maedgen/Saxophone and Vocals: Though Clint is best known as leader of 
multi-media alt.cabaret group The New Orleans Bingo! Show, he has been in love with the sound of traditional New Orleans jazz since he was a small child. After studying with clarinet innovator Alvin Batiste at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Clint returned to New Orleans’ French Quarter where he cemented his reputation as an artist and collaborator through an ongoing series of eclectic and experimental musical ensembles. As a full-time member of the PHJB, he brings an infectious passion to both his playing and singing. 
 
Joe Lastie, Jr./Drums: Born and raised in the Lower Ninth Ward, Joe comes from a long line of family members equally dedicated to music and the church. Having played his first job with a rhythm section backing the Desire Community Choir, he would go on to study jazz with Willie Metcalf at the Dryades Street YMCA with classmates Wynton and Branford Marsalis. After a brief move with his family to Queens, New York, Joe returned to New Orleans where he was invited to substitute on drums at Preservation Hall in 1989.He’s been a regular with the band ever since. 
 
Freddie Lonzo/Trombone and Vocals: Born and raised in New Orleans’ Uptown 
neighborhoods, Freddie was exposed to the music of the streets at a very young age. Having cemented his desire to play New Orleans jazz, these early Second Line parades would later offer him his first professional gig with EG Gabon and Doc Paulin’s Band. A true master of every style of New Orleans music, from marching brass to modern jazz, Freddie’s first appearances with Preservation Hall date back to the mid-eighties when he toured and played with Percy Humphrey and Kid Sheik. 
 
Rickie Monie/Piano: Born and raised in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward to jazz loving church musicians, Rickie was inundated at an early age with the recordings of such great jazz and gospel pianists as Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, and Teddy Wilson. After majoring in woodwind instruments at Dillard University, Rickie turned back to the piano and picked up work in every style of music. In 1982, Monie got his first call from Preservation Hall, to substitute for the legendary resident pianist Sweet Emma Barret after she suffered a stroke. To the delight of audiences around the world, he’s stayed onboard ever since. 

Ronell Johnson/Tuba and Vocals: Born and raised in New Orleans, Ronell started on the trumpet and piano around the age of 6. He is from a musical family and was taught to play, in the beginning, by his three older brothers who are also professional musicians. Also, he and his brothers are the great-nephews of Joseph "Kid Twat" Butler, who was the string bass player with the legendary Kid Thomas Valentine and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Ronell is recognized around the world and in a host of magazines and journalsas one of New Orleans' prized musicians who adds a lot of energy, animation, humor, andfire to the band stand.

PHJB

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