Preservation Hall Jazz Band Brings Creole Christmas to the University of Pennsylvania

Wade Luquet

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2008

Wade is Associate Professor of Sociology and director of the Institute for New Orleans History and Culture at Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Recent articles (36 total)

Published: December 31, 2009

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The evening ended with a traditional New Orleans Second Line as the horn section walked slowly across the stage playing the traditional hymn "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," which gave way to a fast-paced jazz march as band members left the stage and walked through the large concert hall, gathering a "second line" of fans as they strolled. In the end, at least 30 people were on stage dancing to the second-line tune that morphed into a raucous version of "When the Saints Go Marching In."

This 48-year-old band proved once again that jazz lives in New Orleans. There was no doubt that everyone in attendance was happy that this band, which travels 150 days of the year bringing its music to cities around the world, on this night landed in Philadelphia to perform at the Annenberg Center. The foremost purpose of traditional jazz, aside from keeping the heritage alive, is to bring joy and zest to its listeners. This touring Preservation Hall Jazz Band was the perfect ambassador from New Orleans, arriving on a timely mission to bring joy to the world.

Photo credit
Shannon Brinkman

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