The Preservation Hall Jazz Band usually performs nightly at Preservation Hall in New Orleans, and tours around the world over 150 days a year. Hurricane Katrina, however, forced Preservation Hall to close through the fall and winter of 2005, and the building remained shut until April 2006. The band continued to tour while the hall was closed.
Art dealer Larry Borenstein opened an art gallery in a building he called Associated Artists Studio in 1961. This evolved into Preservation Hall. A young tuba player, Allan Jaffe, ran the hall and organized tours for the musicians who often performed there, naming the band after the venue. The late Allan Jaffe was often in the Preservation Hall band; his son string bass player Ben Jaffe often is now.
The group has been touring the United States for more than 25 years. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band seek to preserve music evolved in New Orleans, and to bring it to contemporary audiences.
In 2006, the band was awarded the National Medal of Arts.
Current members include: Lucien Barbarin (trombone), Mark Braud (trumpet), Frank Demond (trombone), Charlie Gabriel (clarinet & saxophone), Ben Jaffe (bass & tuba), Leroy Jones (trumpet), Joseph Lastie, Jr (drums), Carl Le Blanc (banjo), Freddie Lonzo (trombone), Clint Maedgen (vocalist & saxophone), Rickie Monie (piano), Walter Payton (bass), Shannon Powell (drums), Mari Watanabe (piano)
A partial listing of the musicians who have played under the Preservation Hall Jazz Band name includes:
* Kid Thomas Valentine - trumpeter
* Punch Miller - trumpeter
* De De Pierce - trumpeter
* Percy Humphrey - trumpeter
* Kid Sheik Colar - trumpeter
* Louis Nelson - trombonist
* Jim Robinson - trombonist
* Frank Demond - trombonist
* George Lewis - clarinetist
* Albert Burbank - clarinetist
* Willie Humphrey - clarinetist
* Raymond Burke - clarinetist
* Joseph Rochambeau - pianist
* Billie Pierce - pianist
* "Sweet Emma" Barrett - pianist
* Jeanette Kimball - pianist
* Sing Miller - pianist
* Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau - bass
* Narvin Kimball - banjo
* Emanuel Sayles - banjo
* Josiah "Cie" Frazier - drums
* Walter Payton - bass
* Clint Maedgen - saxophone, clarinet, vocals
* Shannon Powell - drums
Basin Street Blues
Preservation Hall Jazz Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the Mississippi
We'll take a boat to the land of dreams
Steam down the river, down to New Orleans
The band's there to meet us
Old friends there to greet us
Where all the proud and elite folks meet
Basin Street is the street
Where the best folks always meet
In New Orleans, land of dreams
You'll never know how nice it seems,
Or just how much it really means
Glad to be, oh yes-sirree
Where welcome's free and dear to me
Where I can lose, lose my Basin Street Blues
Basin Street, oh Basin Street
Is the street, mama
New Orleans, land of dreams
Preservation Hall Jazz Band's "Basin Street Blues" is a classic song that has become an integral part of New Orleans jazz culture. The lyrics recount the incomparable experience of a journey to New Orleans on a riverboat down the Mississippi River. The song invites the listener to come on this journey to the "land of dreams" and enjoy the camaraderie of friends and the rich, vibrant culture of New Orleans. The band awaits their arrival, joined by old friends eager to greet them. Basin Street, where the best and most affluent people in the city gather, is their destination. It's a place where heaven meets earth, and the energy of the city comes alive.
The song's opening line, "Won't you come along with me to the Mississippi," creates a sense of invitation, beckoning the listener to join the singer on their journey. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a place where the innocence of youth, the freedom of music, and the beauty of the city converge. Basin Street is where the best folks meet, where the heart of the city beats, and where the spirit of jazz comes alive. The lines "Glad to be, oh yes-sirree, where welcome's free and dear to me, where I can lose, lose my Basin Street Blues" are emblematic of the song's ultimate message. It's a call to let yourself go, to free yourself from whatever burdens you might have, and simply to embrace the joy and beauty that life has to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you come along with me
Will you join me?
To the Mississippi
To the river that flows south from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
We'll take a boat to the land of dreams
We will travel by boat to New Orleans, which is sometimes called the land of dreams because of the rich culture and vibrant music scene there.
Steam down the river, down to New Orleans
We will travel down the Mississippi River to New Orleans by steamboat.
The band's there to meet us
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band will be there to greet us when we arrive in New Orleans.
Old friends there to greet us
We will be welcomed by old friends when we arrive, as New Orleans has a strong sense of community and hospitality.
Where all the proud and elite folks meet
Basin Street is a place where the upper class of New Orleans gathers to socialize and enjoy the music scene.
Heaven on earth, they call it Basin Street
Basin Street is considered a paradise on earth by those who know and love it.
Basin Street is the street
Basin Street is the name of the street in New Orleans that is being sung about.
Where the best folks always meet
Basin Street is where the most high-class and respected members of society gather in New Orleans.
In New Orleans, land of dreams
New Orleans is a city that is known for its vibrant culture, rich music history, and welcoming community.
You'll never know how nice it seems
If you haven't experienced the magic of New Orleans, you won't understand how wonderful Basin Street truly is.
Or just how much it really means
Basin Street is more than just a physical location, it is a symbol of the rich history and culture of New Orleans.
Glad to be, oh yes-sirree
I am happy and grateful to be in New Orleans.
Where welcome's free and dear to me
New Orleans is a place where hospitality and welcome are treasured values.
Where I can lose, lose my Basin Street Blues
In New Orleans, I am able to forget my worries and enjoy life to the fullest.
Basin Street, oh Basin Street
Basin Street is the focal point of this song and is being celebrated for its cultural importance.
Is the street, mama
Basin Street is the street that is being referenced in this song.
New Orleans, land of dreams
New Orleans is a city that is known for its vibrant culture, rich music history, and welcoming community.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sailorette1
One of my favorites! Why is this music, like other greats, not more mainstream? Young people are learning. Thank you for sharing this, M.
Chuck Crawford
this is really great; sounds like what i heard at the hall back in the 70's from some
real old timers. this is the sound of the old trad players, and i love it! thank you for
a great gift of music!
Swigg
Masters of clarinet, trombone, trumpet and banjo make for the best NOLA jazz!… love it!!!!
Charles L'Écuyer
Un des plus belle pièce dans la meilleure tradition par mon groupe de Jazz préféré. Quoi de mieux. Thanks for that.
Rob Sapp
Tempo is PERFECT! I hate it when bands play this more up tempo. This song is about anticipation, especially in the question and answer.
Kasey Lofty
There is a darn good reason that some songs are still around about a hundred years later...
Francisco Javier Trigueros Romero
This vídeo was included in the playlist "All Basin Street Blues versions" that you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGYe1_xIAlmOR09OmvyW9FoGQRrKxUHss. You can also find another amazing versions of this truly eternal song by incredible artists, most are unkown anonym singers and musicians, but with incredible talent too. If you love the song, you'll love the playlist.
Leynia
This is just plain great.
Tully Bascombe
Love this - Thanks for posting.
The ElVerma
Excellent photos! Love Preservation Hall :-)