Jazz Preservation

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

At the Lobero Theatre, Thursday, July 6.

Reviewed by Stanley Naftaly

The deepest roots of all jazz, from the most accessible to the
most extreme, were onstage at the Lobero Theatre last Thursday
evening in the person of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. From the
first bar of “Bourbon Street Parade” to the last poignant strains
of “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?” more than two
hours later, it was a rollicking evening of expertly played and
deeply felt New Orleans jazz.

In the late 1700s, New Orleans slaves were allowed to gather in
a park called Congo Square on Sundays to play their native
instruments and dance. Because the city also had a large population
of European immigrants, many of whom were classically trained
musicians, it was there and then that African rhythms and European
melodies and harmonies first met. The rest is jazz, blues, and
history.

The octet — trumpet, clarinet, alto sax, trombone, banjo, piano,
bass, and drums — took less than one song to completely charm the
eager audience. From then on, it was a joint venture. The musicians
are, to the audience, fine players. Pianist Ricky Monie infused his
work with hints of more modern jazz, sometimes bringing Errol
Garner to mind; and saxophonist Darryl Adams, perhaps in deference
to Sidney Bechet, often played his alto as if it were a soprano.
Among the great traditional jazz tunes on the program were W.C.
Handy’s 1914 composition, “Saint Louis Blues,” “Basin Street
Blues,” “(You Can) Depend on Me,” “I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My
Sister Kate,” “I’m Alone Because I Love You,” and “Just A Closer
Walk With Thee.”

As easy to understand and enjoy as this music is, it’s quite
complex in its way. Each of the melody instruments plays a
different and sometimes contrapuntal part, weaving in and out of
the basic rhythmic structure. The result is intertwined layers, all
exposed, rhythmically fused and a gas to listen to.

At the end of the show, the band called for a New Orleans Second
Line Parade, which resulted in more than 100 audience members
cavorting on the stage after line-dancing through the hall. That
tells you everything about the spirit of this concert.