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
Louisiana Fairytale
Preservation Hall Jazz Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shall we ever see another sight like this?
With Lou′ siana magic ev'ry where.
The dew is hanging diamonds on the clover, The moon is list′n'ing to the nightingale.
And while we're lost in dreams, The world around us seems like a Lou′siana Fairy Tale.
The breeze is softly singing thru the willows, As hand in hand we stroll along the trail.
And love is at its height, enchanting us tonight, Like a Lou′siana Fairy Tale.
Is it real, this fascination?
Are we here, on a plantation, or can this be heaven at last?
Keep dreaming with your head upon my shoulder, And don't awake until the stars grow pale.
The world is at our feet, the picture is complete, Like a Lou′siana Fairy Tale.
The lyrics of Preservation Hall Jazz Band's song Louisiana Fairytale takes the listener on a romantic journey to Louisiana. The song begins by setting the scene of a perfect night with the sweet scent of magnolia in the air. The lyrics evoke a sense of wonder and magic with the line "With Louisiana magic everywhere". The nightingale's song and the dew on the clover add to the dream-like atmosphere of the moment. The world around the couple seems like a Louisiana Fairy Tale.
The second verse continues the idyllic picture, with the breeze singing through the willows and the couple strolling hand in hand along a trail. Love is at its height, enchanting them in a way that feels almost unreal, like heaven itself. The lyrics encourage the couple to keep dreaming with heads on shoulders and not to wake up until the stars grow pale. The world is at their feet, just like a Louisiana Fairy Tale.
Overall, the lyrics of this song use vivid imagery to paint a picture of an enchanted world where love is the height of bliss. In many ways, the song captures the essence of a fairy tale, with its otherworldly quality and its focus on the dreamy bliss of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Think of us together on a night like this,
Imagine us both here on this beautiful night,
The scent of sweet magnolia in the air.
The fragrant aroma of magnolia flowers surrounds us.
Shall we ever see another sight like this?
Will we ever witness such a magical moment again?
With Lou'siana magic ev'ry where.
The enchanting charm of Louisiana is all around us.
The dew is hanging diamonds on the clover,
The dew drops resemble glistening diamonds on the clovers.
The moon is list'nin' to the nightingale.
The moon is paying attentive ears to the melodies of the nightingale.
And while we're lost in dreams,
As we are absorbed in our dreams,
The world around us seems like a Lou'siana Fairy Tale.
The real world feels like one of the magical fairy tales of Louisiana.
The breeze is softly singing through the willows,
The gentle breeze is mellifluously singing through the willow trees.
As hand in hand we stroll along the trail.
We walk hand in hand along the trail.
And love is at its height, enchanting us tonight,
Our love is at its peak and is enchanting us on this night,
Like a Lou'siana Fairy Tale.
Similar to one of the tales of Louisiana.
Is it real, this fascination?
Is this fascination real?
Are my arms holding you fast?
Am I firmly holding you in my arms?
Are we here, on a plantation, or can this be heaven at last?
Are we truly on a plantation, or could this be heaven at last?
Keep dreaming with your head upon my shoulder,
Keep dreaming with your head resting on my shoulder,
And don't awake until the stars grow pale.
And don't wake up until the stars have faded away.
The world is at our feet, the picture is complete,
The world is ours with everything in its place,
Like a Lou'siana Fairy Tale.
Exactly like one of the magical tales of Louisiana.
Writer(s): Haven Gillespie, J. Fred Coots, Mitchell Parish
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
L.V the Truth
on Rattlin' Bones
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.