New Orleans Jazz History Tour

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At The Backstreet Cultural Museum, visitors can find an amazing assortment of memorabilia indigenous to Mardi Gras, jazz funerals and other traditions found only in New Orleans. The museum houses the city’s largest collection of brilliantly colored and elaborately designed Mardi Gras Indian costumes hand made by local artisans costing upwards of $10,000 a piece. In this simple setting, the museum also houses an enormous collection of still photos and video footage of Mardi Gras Indians, jazz funerals and second lines.

2. Historical Marker- Birthplace of Danny Barker

This historical marker indicates the birthplace of Danny Barker. Barker is best known for his musical accomplishments, but was also a historian, teacher, author, actor, and a painter. He played on over 1,000 records during his illustrious musical career.

3. The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

In most of America, the words "National Park" and "jazz" may be seemingly unrelated. However, in New Orleans, there is a National Park specifically to commemorate the history of jazz in its birthplace, New Orleans. The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park was created in 1994 to commemorate this memorable musical legacy.

4. Bourbon Street

Situated in the heart of the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, Bourbon Street may be the most famous (and infamous) street in the United States. Though most of its reputation may arise from its Mardi Gras celebrations and all-night partying, every inch of the street is steeped in the unique history of this multicultural city. History-lovers sure be sure to visit this street twice in their lifetime--once during the evening, and once in the late morning. This will demonstrate how urban spaces can transition from stages of revelry, recovery, and rebirth.

5. Preservation Hall

Founded in 1961, Preservation Hall is a musical venue in the French Quarter to protect, preserve, and perpetuate traditional New Orleans jazz. The Preservation Hall venue presents intimate, acoustic New Orleans jazz concerts over 350 nights a year featuring ensembles from a current collective of 100+ local master practitioners. On any given night, audiences bear joyful witness to the evolution of this venerable and living tradition. It is also a record label recording studio and a non-profit foundation.

6. Musical Legends Park

A popular tourist destination, this small park in Bourbon street honors some of New Orleans' best and well known musicians. It is operated and maintained by the New Orleans Musical Legends Foundation, Inc., which was founded in 2000. There are several life-size statues of these musicians, including Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Fats Domino, Chris Owens, Ronnie Cole, Louis Prima, Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas. Live jazz is played here everyday and the park is free and open to anyone. There is a cafe at the far end of the park.

7. Historical Marker: Jazz

Located on a support columnn at the entrance to the Holiday Inn, this historical marker commemorates this area of New Orleans that is considered the birthplace of jazz. Many businesses were located here in which jazz musicians performed and socialized. These include social clubs, saloons, barber shops, bakeries, and pawn shops. The area at the time was referred to as "Back of Town." The marker was installed by the Orleans Parish Landmarks Commission. A large clarinet is painted on one side of the hotel and there are two murals on the walls on either side of the marker.

8. Historical Marker: Starting Point of the First Traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras Parade

This marker, installed on the corner of the building at Magazine and Julia Streets, indicates the starting point of the first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, which took place on February 24, 1857. The Mistick Krewe of Comus led the parade, which went west on Julia Street. From this point forward, Mardi Gras parades would become a cherished New Orleans tradition. Mardi Gras parades would soon influence other Carnival parades around the country and abroad.

9. Jazz Tour- Former Home of Louis Douroux

This house on the Algiers neighborhood’s Pelican street was once home to jazz musician Louis Douroux. Douroux was born in 1875 and played cornet in the Pickwick Brass Band. He also played in the Eureka and Excelsior Brass Bands. In 1894, he married Olivia Manetta, who was a multi-instrument musician who particularly excelled on the trumpet. They had a daughter, Dolly Douroux, who later became a notable jazz musician herself. The house is included in the Algiers Point Association’s self-guided “Over da River” Jazz Tour.

10. Jazz Tour of New Orleans-Former Home of Martin Behrman

This house was built for former Mayor of New Orleans Martin Behrman shortly after the fire of 1895. He served longer than any other mayor of the city, serving from 1904-1920 and again from 1925-1926. Behrman was the only mayor from the west bank Algiers neighborhood. Although he was born in New York City, his family moved to New Orleans when he was still an infant. He was born on October 14, 1864 and died on January 12, 1926.

11. Jazz Tour- Former Home of Alphonse Picou

This home on the Algiers neighborhood’s Bermuda Street was once home to legendary jazz musician Alphonse Picou (1878-1961) and is included in the Algiers Point Association’s self-guided “Over da River” Jazz Tour. He lived in the house in 1898. He played the clarinet and his musical accomplishments include organizing the Accordiana Band in 1894 and the Independence Band in 1897. He played with a number of notable musicians throughout his career, including Oscar, DuConge, Manuel Perez, John Robichaux, Kid Rena, and Papa Celestin.

12. Jazz Tour- Santa Maria Council No. 1724, Knights of Columbus

This building located on the Algiers neighborhood’s Olivier Street has housed the Santa Maria Council No. 1724, Knights of Columbus since the early twentieth century. The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal organization founded during the late-nineteenth century in Connecticut. The building is included in the Algiers Historical Society’s self-guided “Over da River” Jazz Tour. Many prominent jazz musicians played here, among them the Marcour’s Band, the Magnolia Jazz Band, Brownlee’s Jazz Band, “Kid” Thomas Valentine, Nick LaRocca, and Bert Peck.

13. Jazz Tour- Former Home of Alonzo Crombie

This house on Olivier Street, located in the Algiers neighborhood, was once the home of musician Alonzo Crombie. This home is included in the Algiers Historical Society’s self-guided “Over da River” Jazz Tour. Crombie lived here from 1920-1923. For the majority of his career he played with the Norman Brownlee Orchestra and with Emmett Hardy.

14. Jazz Tour of New Orleans-Former Home of Emmett Hardy

The former home of Emmett Hardy, a prominent jazz cornet player in the early days of New Orleans jazz, is part of the Algiers Historical Society’s self-guided “Over da River” Jazz Tour. The historical society’s website features other self-guided walking tours, including another music-focused tour called the “Brooklyn of the South” Jazz Tour. The “Over da River” tour includes other former homes of famous musicians, prominent historical jazz venues, and the Robert E. Nims Jazz Walk of Fame.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

New Orleans Jazz History Tour

Created by Fay Hicks on February 25th 2017, 8:07:16 pm.

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Description

This tour includes stops at the homes and haunts of many of the early jazz legends and includes several museums, performance venues, historical markers and statues, and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. The complete tour should require a full day. Like jazz itself, however, improvisation is welcome. Anyone can create and save their own personal version of this tour by adding or removing sites to match their interests and schedule.

Entries on This Tour

New Orleans Jazz History Tour

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