Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Preservation Hall Jazz Band On World Cafe

By Talia Schlanger | WXPN-FM
Monday, August 14, 2017

Preservation Hall Jazz Band inside the World Cafe Performance Studio

Rich McKie / WXPN

In the French Quarter of New Orleans, there's a tiny venue with old wooden floors where on a good night you can cram in around a hundred people. The audience sits right up in front of the band and it's so intimate that the musicians don't need microphones. It's a truly magical place, where the spirit of New Orleans jazz is not only alive but evolving. It's called Preservation Hall. And it's home to our guests – the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

The venue, as a concert space, and the band were born in the early '60s, thanks to Allan and Sandra Jaffe, who moved to New Orleans from Pennsylvania. Over the past half century, the band has seen dozens of members from different generations come and go. The band is now led by the Jaffe's son, Ben. He co-wrote Preservation Hall Jazz Band's new album, So It Is, with the ranking senior member of the band, clarinet and saxophone player Charlie Gabriel.

Gabriel is in his 80s and a fourth-generation New Orleans musician. But don't be fooled by the history – this is a band that propels tradition forward. To create their new album, they tapped Dave Sitek of TV On The Radio. And they drew musical influence from a recent trip to Cuba - not the usual tourist trip, but the kind of inside track experience you get when you know a guy who knows a guy.

When they showed up at the World Cafe performance studio, Preservation Hall Jazz Band had three horns, an upright bass, keys and a whole lot of drums and percussion in tow. We can only assume they arrived here from New Orleans by way of marching in a second line parade. They started us off with a live performance of a new song, "Santiago." Hear the complete session in the player above.

Copyright 2022 XPN. To see more, visit XPN.

View this story on npr.org

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

Most Viewed

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

California coronavirus updates: First Lady Jill Biden tests positive for COVID-19

California coronavirus updates: CDC drops quarantine, distancing guidelines

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.