Preservation Hall was started in the early 1960’s by a Californian named Ke… Read Full Bio ↴Preservation Hall was started in the early 1960’s by a Californian named Ken Mills assisted by a lady by the name of Barbara Reid. Mills was a jazz buff who wanted to get the older musicians playing in public again and, of course, record them. He rented a hall on St Peter Street and Preservation Hall was born. Alan Jaffe, referred to in a later paragraph, came on the scene after Mills. In those early days the $400 monthly rent for the hall and the musicians’ fees were met from the nightly “kitty” collection from the audience. There were so many requests for “The Saints Go Marching In” that the bands grew tired of playing the tune and so a minimum donation of $5 (or perhaps it was $10) dollars was requested. The audience thrilled to the sounds of George Lewis, clarinet, Kid Howard, trumpet, Kid Sheik, trumpet, Jimmy Clayton, trumpet, Kid Thomas, trumpet, Charlie Love, trumpet, DeDe Pierce, trumpet, “Slow Drag” Pavageau, bass, Louis James, bass, Milé Barnes, clarinet, Steve Angram, clarinet, John Casimir, clarinet, Israel Gorman, clarinet, Louis Nelson, trombone, Jim Robinson, trombone, Emmanuel Sayles, banjo, Harrison Verret, banjo, Sammy Penn, drums, Barney Bigard, drums, Billie Pierce, piano, and many others.

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

Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Preservation Hall Jazz Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am weak but Thou art strong
Jesus, keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be

And when my feeble life is o'er
And time for me will be no more
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore

Just a closer (Just a closer walk, just a closer walk with Thee)
Walk with Thee (Just a closer walk, just a closer walk with Thee)
Grant it, Jesus (Just a closer walk, just a closer walk with Thee)
Is my plea (Just a closer walk, just a closer walk)

Daily walking (Just a closer walk, just a closer walk with Thee)

Close to Thee (Just a closer walk with Thee)
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be

Overall Meaning

Preservation Hall Jazz Band's song "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" is a gospel hymn that speaks about the need for divine guidance and protection in life. The first verse introduces the singer's sense of weakness and their plea for Jesus to keep them from going down the wrong path. The singer acknowledges their own limitations and asks to walk closely with Jesus, trusting in his strength and guidance to keep them on the right path.

The second verse builds on this theme of closeness and asks for a deeper relationship with Jesus. The singer pleads for a closer walk with Jesus and acknowledges him as their only hope for satisfaction and fulfillment in life. The chorus echoes this plea for closeness and asks for Jesus to grant the singer's request for daily walking close to him. The singer recognizes that they cannot achieve this closeness on their own and trusts that Jesus will help them achieve it.

Line by Line Meaning

I am weak but Thou art strong
I acknowledge my vulnerability and plead for Your strength

Jesus, keep me from all wrong
I ask You to protect me from temptation and sin

I'll be satisfied as long
I will find contentment only if I walk with You

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee
I desire to stay close to You every step of the way

Just a closer walk with Thee
My sole request is to be closer to You

Grant it, Jesus is my plea
I implore You to grant my wish

Daily walking close to Thee
I aspire to be in Your company everyday

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
I submit it all to You, and allow Your will to prevail

And when my feeble life is o'er
When my life is about to end

And time for me will be no more
And I no longer have time left on this earth

Guide me gently, safely o'er
Please, lead me gently and safely to Your kingdom

To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore
To Your kingdom, to Your shore

Writer(s): William York

Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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L.V the Truth

on Rattlin' Bones

16w

The lyrics of Preservation Hall Jazz Band's "Rattlin' Bones" is a spooky tale about the supernatural phenomena that takes place in St. Josephine, a part of New Orleans. The opening lines of the song act as a warning to those who might wish to visit the place as it is plagued with rattling bones that make a frightening sound. The singer suggests that the sound is not coming from any ordinary source, but from the bones of the dead who have risen from the grave and started walking around.

As the song progresses, the singer presents himself as a witness to the terrifying events that take place in the graveyard. He admits that initially, he did not believe in the stories about the rattling bones. However, after spending a night in the cemetery out of a dare, he saw the horrifying sight of the dead rising from their graves. The chorus is an ominous warning to those who might venture near the St. Josephine graveyard, with the rattling bones creeping up behind the headstones, effectively sealing the fate of any curious visitors.

Edit: Others argue that a deeper meaning hides between the lines. It has been said that homosexuality was a heavy taboo around the turn of the century. Evidence shows that the occasional (sexual) encounter was not uncommon in graveyards, at night. Many young men sought hidden corners of the city so they could get their "bones rattled." Hotels were reserved for "Socially Acceptable" Folks. So if you didn't want to see anyone's bones getting rattled, it's best to visit a graveyard during appropriate visiting hours.