History of The Jazz Hall
The origins of musical performances at Preservation Hall go back to the start of the 1960s along with the opening of an art gallery run by local entrepreneur Larry Borenstein. At that time, many older jazz musicians were employed only minimally. Borenstein arranged for some of them to play for tips there to help draw in potential customers to the gallery. More people began coming for the music than the art.
Allan Jaffe took over running of the Hall and made it into a famous institution, in part by ignoring the then prevalent ideas of what was needed for a successful music business—there was no dance floor and no food or drinks were served—the focus being just on the music. The only products sold were the recordings of Preservation Hall players and rare recordings of other New Orleans jazz musicians. Alan Jaffe's family continues to run the Hall.
In addition to playing in the French Quarter Hall, bands of New Orleans musicians tour the world under the Preservation Hall Jazz Band name.
In August 2005, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced Preservation Hall to close for several months, although the building remained intact. The first post-Katrina performance at Preservation Hall took place on April 27–28, 2006, commemorating its 45th Anniversary.
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