Preservation Hall Jazz Band
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Sunday April 10,
2010
4:00 pm matinee
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band hadn't even left the theatre in 2010 -
and the audience demanded a return engagement.
Welcome back !!!
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 Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which in its 49 years has built a global
reputation for presenting the traditional New Orleans sound, is taking a more
contemporary approach these days — recruiting younger players, expanding its
repertoire and allowing surrealist elements to creep into its performances.
But even as it modernizes its approach, the band, which comes to El Campanil
Theatre on April 10, is keeping the old-time faith — hiring musicians whose
strong links to the pioneers of jazz assure the music’s authenticity.
The combination makes for a multigenerational mix with appeal to a range of
musical constituencies, not just aficionados of traditional jazz.
“Preservation Hall is not a museum piece,” said Benjamin Jaffe, 39 the band’s
director and the son of its founder, Allan Jaffe. “We’re not recreating
something that existed a hundred years ago.”
Most of the musicians that Allan Jaffe recruited in the 1960s and ’70s were part
of the pioneering generation. But he died in 1987, and by the time his son took
over the directorship, in 1993, younger players were filling the band’s ranks.
The last founding member retired nearly a decade ago, and today’s players bring
different kinds of experiences to the job.
Some of current crop — like Benjamin Jaffe, who plays tuba in the band and
graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music — have formal training that
informs their thinking. Others — like the saxophonist and singer Clint Maedgen,
40, who honed his art in a variety show that has been likened to experimental
theater — reveal a postmodern sensibility.
At the same time, players like the clarinetist and saxophonist Charlie Gabriel,
78, have experience in other idioms as well as traditional jazz. Mr. Gabriel,
who at the improbable age of 11 started playing beside the early jazz greats
along Bourbon Street, has also performed extensively with singers like Aretha
Franklin and modern jazz artists like the pianist Barry Harris.
But what unites Preservation Hall’s members, present and past, is a powerful
association with the cultural heritage of New Orleans, Mr. Jaffe said. Most of
the musicians were born in the city and, wherever they may have traveled since,
have strong roots there.
Sponsored In Part By A Grant From The Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation.
Reserved Seating
TICKETS
Adults: $
28
Seniors (62 & Over): $ 25
Youth: $ 15
Gold Circle (1st 3 rows): $40
Tickets May Be Purchased in Advance at the Ticket Office
604 W. Second Street - Next Door To The Theatre
(Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) and 1 hour before showtime
no service charge when purchased at the ticket office
or
by phone: (925) 757-9500
$2.00 charge applies (per phone order- not per ticket)
or ONLINE - SEPTEMBER 1
Internet processing fees will apply. Varies
by ticket price.
Whether you buy your
tickets on the phone or online
please consider requesting E-Tickets
(Print At Home)
and bypass the wait at Will Call.
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Please Note:
If you require special - or handicapped seating, or have
questions,
please contact the ticket office: (925) 757-9500.
Looking For Somewhere To Get A Bite or Beverage Before Or After The Show?
Click Here