Preservation Hall, Jazz club in French Quarter, New Orleans, US
Preservation Hall is a small jazz club in the French Quarter of New Orleans that features performances in a room with wooden benches and standing space. The space has original brick walls from the 1700s and offers minimal capacity, yet this closeness creates a direct connection between musicians and listeners.
Allan and Sandra Jaffe founded this institution in 1961 to preserve New Orleans jazz, which was disappearing from popular music programs at that time. The place became a refuge for musicians who wanted to keep this older style of playing alive.
The musicians here pass down jazz techniques and stories the way they have been shared in New Orleans for generations, keeping local traditions alive in their playing. Visitors experience how these customs remain at the heart of what they perform.
The venue does not serve food or drinks, so plan to eat beforehand if you want to stay for the evening. It is best to buy tickets in advance, especially during busy tourist seasons, since the limited space fills up quickly.
Musicians here play without electronic amplification, making the sound raw and immediate as if from jazz's earliest days. This authenticity makes each performance feel transported from another era.
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