By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
New Orleans has always been known for its vibrant, soulful jazz music scene.
Korean fans will soon have a chance to enjoy an exciting jazz party with a venerable music institution from New Orleans, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, at the LG Art Center, Sept. 1.
The band is named after Preservation Hall, which was founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe in the city's French Quarter. At the time, the building housed an art gallery owned by Larry Borenstein, who began holding jam sessions for his close musician friends.
The sessions included Jaffe, who was then a young tuba player, and eventually Preservation Hall was born. The venue still stands, and welcomes ``people of all ages interested in having one of the last pure music experiences left on the earth." It also continues with its decades-long standing policy of ``no drinks" and "no air conditioner."
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, featuring New Orleans musicians, began touring in 1963 and has helped carry on and promote the tradition of New Orleans jazz.
Throughout the years, the band's members may have changed but their joyous, soulful musical tradition continues. Its previous band leaders include brothers Willie and Percy Humphrey, husband and wife Billie and De De Pierce, pianist Sweet Emma Barrett, and Wendell and John Brunious.
The band continues to perform around the world with the mission of promoting New Orleans jazz. It has been described as a ``living, breathing tradition that has not only preserved New Orleans music, but allowed it to thrive, even in calamitous times."
``After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it became a more precious opportunity to see the band's live stage, as the flood destroyed the whole city of New Orleans and ruined the life of jazz musicians," the band said, on its Web site.
The band received the 2006 National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts, considered the highest level of recognition by the federal government.
All of the band members were born and raised in New Orleans. The current line up includes trumpeter Mark Braud, clarinet and saxophone player Charlie Gabriel, reed player Clint Maedgen, drummer Joseph Lastie, Jr., trombonist Freddie Lonzo, bassist Walter Payton, and pianist Rickie Monie.
For listeners to get acquainted with their music, SonyBMG has just released ``The Essential Preservation Hall Jazz Band'' album. The two-disc set features 24 recordings from 1977 to the present. Songs include ``When the Saints Go Marchin' In,'' ```Georgia on my Mind,'' ``Petite Fleur,'' and ``St. Louis Blues.''
Tickets to the concert range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. Call (02) 2005-0114 or email arts2005@lgart.com.