New Orleans is lauded by music historians as the birthplace of jazz, so it makes sense the sound still rings true in the streets, clubs, churches, festivals, restaurants – basically anywhere there's room enough for a duo or soloist to play (aka everywhere).
In a city
known for having music in its DNA, here are some of the best places to catch
those sweet rhythms and get your jazz fix in New Orleans.
Holding Court
Longevity is a byword in New Orleans jazz scene
because much of the talent is multi-generational. The Original Tuxedo Jazz
Band, founded by the Celestine and French families, is the longest-running
family jazz band in existence, and plays weekly sets at Irvin Mayfield's Jazz
Playhouse in the French Quarter. The Palm Court supper club on Decatur Street
was the long-time home of famed New Orleans trumpet player Lionel Ferbos, until
his recent passing at 103 years old. Trumpet impresario Leroy Jones, protégé of
the great Danny Barker, has regular weekly gigs throughout the city when he's
not touring internationally. For newer clubs, The Little Gem Saloon in the
Rampart Street neighborhood is where legendary Louis Armstrong played his first
gig, and larger than life Kermit Ruffins, New Orleans trumpet standout, holds a
weekend residency.
Snug on Frenchmen Street
Frenchman Street in the Marigny neighborhood is
quickly becoming the new Bourbon Street, but without the slop fest. Music is
the main draw, and Snug Harbor is home to some of the best jazz acts traveling
through New Orleans, as well as local favorites. The club charges a reasonable
cover, ensuring the band you're hearing is making a livable wage.
Streetwise
There seems to be a kind of alchemy in the French
Quarter that adds to the sound of music in the streets. On any given corner you
can find Rickie Paulin on clarinet, scion of one of New Orleans' first families
of music The Paulin Brothers; or Grandpa Elliot (Smalls) who tours
internationally with Playing for Change when he's not singing and playing
harmonica wherever he pleases. They take requests, but street musicians mostly
make their living on tips so give as generously as you can.
Jesus and Jazz
St. Augustine's Catholic
Church hosts a mass that is truly transcendent. Built in the Treme neighborhood
in 1841, it is the oldest African-American Catholic church in the states. Many
of the church's congregants play jazz music as their day job, so the soulful
Sunday services are heavenly, as is the church's annual Jazz Mass held on the
first weekend in August to coincide with Satchmo Fest honoring Louis
Armstrong.
The Mack daddy of it all - Jazz Fest
The second most famous
event after Mardi Gras, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (always
the last weekend in April, first weekend in May) boasts two tents with nothing
but jazz for two solid weeks. The smaller People's Health Economy Hall is home to
a rollicking second line parade marching with hankies and umbrellas, a sight to
behold, while the WWOZ Jazz Tent sponsored by New Orleans' listener radio hosts
everyone from top international acts to hometown heroes like songstress Leah
Chase, daughter of an acclaimed Creole restaurateur.