New Orleans' Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Come and Perform at The Ridgefield Playhouse

Ridgefield, CT, July 06, 2007 --(PR.com)-- You could walk right past Preservation Hall in New Orleans and never know it was there ... but just step inside, sit on the simple chairs and take in the upright piano, the 30-year old drum set, and wait for the magic of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to begin. Oh, but wait, you don’t have to travel to New Orleans, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band is coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Friday, July 20 at 8 p.m. as part of the Danbury Audi Jazz Series. Partially underwritten by Robert J. Reby & Company, Inc., a portion of the evening’s proceeds will go towards the Katrina Hurricane Relief Fund, as still, almost two years later, there is a compelling need for assistance in the Gulf Coast communities.

Benjamin Jaffe, bassist and the son of Allan and Sandra Jaffre, founders of Preservation Hall, says, “There’s a lot of depth and meaning to the way we dance and celebrate. There’s so much depth to what we play. That’s why it’s unique. Once you separate New Orleans jazz from the culture and life of New Orleans, it’s not New Orleans jazz anymore.”

He is joined in the band by Ralph Johnson on clarinet, Joseph Lastie, Jr. on drums, Rickie Monte on piano, Frank Demond and Lucien Barbaran on trombone, John Brunious on trumpet and Carl LeBlanc on banjo. John Brunious defines New Orleans jazz as “music that can express just about everything you experience in life. I consider New Orleans jazz to be a treasure, and it’s wonderful to be able to share that treasure.” We are glad the Preservation Hall Jazz Band is sharing it in Ridgefield.

As Louie Armstrong himself once said, “Preservation Hall, now that’s where you’ll find all the greats.” To order tickets ($50/$45) call the box office at (203) 438-5795 or go online to www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge Avenue.

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