By Rosy Banks
Staff Writer
Musicians ranging from ages 29-88 will bring the smooth sounds of New Orleans jazz to Smothers Theatre Saturday at 8 p.m. in a concert co-sponsored by KKJZ 88.1FM.
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has toured for more than 25 years, appearing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Boston’s Symphony Hall and Wolf Trap, where it received the Wolf Trap Medal for Excellence in the Performing Arts.
The band derived its name from Preservation Hall, which originated as a residence in New Orleans’ French Quarter around 1750, serving as a bar during the War of 1812 and later became an art gallery. Sandra and Allan Jaffe purchased the building in 1961 and many of the musicians who played there in that era are in the band today.
As a home for artists and writers of the past, today it is the base for the jazz band when it is on tour. The Hall remains a main attraction for visitors in New Orleans where the band plays regularly.
The jazz era has died but Preservation jazz lives on by bringing the sounds of New Orleans across the country.
Highly acclaimed for its music, the band is known across the country and is well respected by others in the genre. “Preservation Hall, now that’s where you’ll find all the greats,” the late Louis Armstrong said.
While preserving jazz, the band’s musical talent spans through the ages. Narvin Kimball, the 88-year-old member of the band, began playing a clarinet at age 10. He joined the Air Force band for three years and upon returning to New Orleans in 1957 worked with rhythm and blues legends such as Smiley Lewis and Bobby Mitchell. He joined the Preservation Hall in the 1970s and continues to tour and perform.
The youngest of the group is Wendell Brunlous, who is part of one of the most musical families in New Orleans. His father John Sr. played with greats like Billy Eckstein and Cab Calloway.
Carrying on the tradition and sharing the soul of jazz with the world, the members will bring their sound to Pepperdine University on their only tour stop in Southern California. Tickets are $40 and available at the Smothers Box Office.
February 06, 2003
