Friday, August 28, 2009

Stay Tooned. 10.09



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Jennifer Broady Zolkos said...

I visited Preservation Hall last spring for the first time. I have always loved New Orleans Jazz and had listened to many of the albums in my home in New England with a bad case of Southern envy. I automatically fell in love with the city and the culture of New Orleans. The endearing people in the quarter, the beautiful architecture, the food and of course the toe tapping joy that is New Orleans made music. I went into club after club listening to the fine music and thinking if it only could be like this at home. If you are an artist of any kind it would be hard not to find a muse in NOLA. I had always loved the music that came from the Preservation Hall and wondered if it was really like the legend it has become. I literally walked by it the first time. I immediately smiled as I knew by the look that it had not been commercialized and I began to feel the excitement of what would lie ahead in the evening. When I came back that night, to my astonishment there was a line that spanned many blocks with all walks of life just sitting waiting for their chance to hear the music. It was great to see children and people of all ages and backgrounds patiently waiting in the queue outside on a balmy hot night. When it was finally my turn I walked through the gates and stepped inside. It was dark, too dark to make out the faces of the audience. We were crammed in the back of the seats facing the musicians. There were a couple of ambient lights lit and then the music began. I felt something come over me I tell you. In the middle of the music the trumpet player put his instrument down and began to sing. Tears streamed down my cheeks without warning. It was true beauty. I will never forget that moment in my life and I am truly thankful that I had a chance to experience such a magical musical moment. I will return someday to sit and listen but I am happy to play my records at home and smile when I think of the beloved French Quarter of New Orleans and the beautiful musicians that created a unique part of our culture.

August 28, 2009 at 10:29 AM

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