LIVERMORE – An American treasure for more than 50 years, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band name is synonymous with all the joyful sounds and timeless traditions of New Orleans.
The band will make a welcome return to the Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore on Monday, Nov, 11 at 7:30 p.m. with Cuban singer/songwriter Yusa and special guests on their “A Tuba to Cuba” Tour. The tour celebrates the release of PHJB’s latest album, the soundtrack to the critically-acclaimed documentary of the same name.
For more information and tickets visit lvpac.org or call 925-373-6800.
Released earlier this year, the film “A Tuba to Cuba” follows band leader and Oberlin-trained tuba player Ben Jaffe as he seeks to fulfill his late father’s dream of retracing their musical roots to the shores of Cuba in search of the indigenous music that gave birth to New Orleans jazz. As Jaffe says, “When we travel to a place like Cuba, not only do we get to share our music, but we also get to experience other music, other traditions, and other’s rituals. It’s a door that we get to walk through and every now and then we get a glimpse behind the curtain. The people we meet become our friends and family. The imprint they leave becomes a part of us and our music, it’s a rare and beautiful thing.”
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band traveled to Cuba in 2015 and the film’s soundtrack celebrates the triumph of the human spirit expressed through the universal language of music and challenges us to resolve to build bridges, not walls. Encompassing a diverse range of styles, the music from the album has been described as “joyous” and “irresistibly rhythmic.”
Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Preservation Hall was founded to nurture the heart, soul and spirit of this instantly recognizable jazz style. PHJB members span the generations and are dedicated to carrying on the sultry sounds and toe-tapping rhythms of their musical heritage. With vocalist Yusa and special guests, their sizzling “A Tuba to Cuba” tour brings fresh energy and irresistible style to the heart, soul and spirit of authentic American jazz. Remaining tickets for this popular event start at just $35. VIP packages offer access to the soundcheck and an opportunity to attend a Q&A session with the members of the band.
