Visitors can enjoy some of the finest jazz in the world in New Orleans. The music flows right out of the bars and clubs onto Bourbon Street. Preservation Hall, the Palm Court Café, and smaller clubs offer jazz and modern jazz. Rhythm and blues fans enjoy their favorites in many spots, including the House of Blues. Gospel music, rock and roll, and country music contribute to the musical mix. The French Quarter is alive with music, on the streets, in bars and clubs, even as musicians entertain passers-by. The popular Cajun and zydeco music add to the Louisana experience.

Who Plays?

The musical stars shine in the Crescent City, home to the late Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton. The famous Marsalis family are New Orleans natives. Ellis and Jason Marsalis added their talents to a recent Christmas Festival at free concerts at St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square. Pete Fountain is also a musical son of New Orleans.

Jazz Funerals

One of the special events in the city is the jazz funeral. Held for a deceased musician, the musician’s friends gather in a procession and play mournful spiritual music on the way to the cemetery. On the way back, they then play more rousing music, such as “When the Saints Go Marching In.” The jazz funeral has its beginnings in African ritual, but it has become a significant part of the jazz culture in New Orleans.