On the same day that ABC News said
Preservation Hall will
reopen, this piece in USA
Today reported that there are not enough tourists or musicians to keep it open on a regular basis. The conflicting
headlines jumped out at me so I investigated further, only to become even more confused, since
their own website says they are closed indefinitely. It looks like
Preservation Hall was open this past Tuesday for a one-time event and book signing, but the landmark New Orleans jazz
hall has no plans to open on a set schedule through the end of this year.
Although Preservation Hall was damaged only minimally by Katrina, there are just not enough folks around to perform
regular nightly shows, one of which I was lucky enough to see earlier this year. This photo is the only shot I got
after standing on line for over an hour. The guys in line behind us were from Atlanta, and had just driven down for the
night to see the show. They were sipping on chicory coffee and we chatted about jazz till it was our turn to go in. The
whole night had such an incredible vibe. The band is adamant that there be no flash photography, and from my vantage
point standing among a crowd of eager music fans in this tiny historic hall, this picture was all I was able to snap as
the band played. I really like it though, because it appears to move as the musicians did, jamming to Sweet Georgia
Brown and other Dixie-land tunes. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been busy touring the world since Katrina,
playing a series of relief concerts from Thailand to Portugal. It’s great that they can share their special music with
the world and do some good for their city in the process, but I hope things improve soon so they can return home and
begin celebrating the Hall’s 45th anniversary next year. I’m sure it will be a jamming good time.