November 2021 — Charlotte, NC — JazzArts Charlotte announces a FREE jazz master workshop featuring the world-famous Preservation Hall All-Stars from New Orleans, open to student musicians. This is a rare opportunity for Charlotte students to meet and learn from legendary traditional musicians from the Preservation Hall, the historic home of New Orleans jazz.

This workshop will be held Wednesday December 8th 6pm-8pm at CPCC Bryant Hall (Sloan Morgan Building). Middle and high school student musicians are encouraged to participate, and student musicians of ALL ages are welcome. This master class is ideal for all instruments and all levels from beginner to advanced. Students are encouraged to bring their instruments, as this is an applied workshop experience. The workshop is FREE. With space limited, registration is required. Go to www.thejazzarts.org/events to register.

The Preservation Hall All-Stars are the premiere ensemble of the most tenured artists from the greater Preservation Hall musical collective. Each performer bears a unique connection to the earliest practitioners of jazz itself, some by bloodline but all united by the sheer power of tradition. In addition to performing at the Hall weekly and internationally throughout the year, these culture bearers continue to pass the torch to the younger generation through education and music outreach.

This program is made possible through a partnership with Preservation Hall. The JAZZ ROOM Holiday performance (December 9 and 10) presents a Preservation Hall All-Stars Christmas. The iconic jazz musicians will arrive a day early in order to offer this hands-on mentorship experience with students in the Charlotte community. The connection between performance and education is a shared mission for both organizations, which has led to this pairing of world-class events. “Preservation Hall was established to honor the culture bearers that can trace their family history back to the birth of jazz. We are honored to help them carry on this important American musical tradition to future generations around the world.” Says Greg Lucas, Executive Director the Preservation Hall Foundation.

JazzArts Charlotte has another unique connection to this New Orleans jazz tradition – founders Lonnie and Ocie Davis came to Charlotte from the New Orleans jazz community. Over the years, the Charlotte community has enjoyed this connection, including opportunities for JazzArts student to visit New Orleans and learn from the Preservation Hall musicians in their historic French Quarter venue.

About Preservation Hall

New Orleans’ Preservation Hall was established in 1961 to honor one of America’s truest art forms – Traditional New Orleans Jazz. Operating as a venue, a touring band, and a non-profit organization, Preservation Hall continues its mission today as a cornerstone of New Orleans music and culture.

The Preservation Hall Foundation was launched in 2011 to protect, preserve and perpetuate the musical traditions and heritage of New Orleans. Through music education, outreach, academic research, archiving, multimedia projects, and collaborations, the Preservation Hall Foundation creates greater awareness and appreciation for New Orleans music and the communities that support it.