Ridgefield Playhouse Welcomes Preservation Hall Jazz Band Tonight

The "quintessential New Orleans institution" (The New York Times), Preservation Hall Jazz Band (PHJB) brings the sounds of the French Quarter to Ridgefield tonight, April 1, at 7:30 p.m.! Preservation Hall was founded in 1961 to preserve traditional New Orleans jazz in all its authenticity, and the band continues to present their unique New Orleans jazz sounds to the world. As one of The Ridgefield Playhouses "Evening of Art, Wine & Jazz", the evening kicks off in the lobby at 6:45 p.m. with a wine and cheese tasting courtesy of No. 109 Cheese & Wine, and art exhibit and reception with painter Carmelo Blandino, who uses oil and canvas as his medium. First Selectman Rudy Marconi will host a special memorial dedication to past Ridgefield Playhouse Board Member Kitty Rosa on the stage prior to the show as he presents her family with a proclamation of honor from the town and announces the Kitty Rosa Preservation Fund. ?A longtime resident of Ridgefield, Kitty had a passion for the arts and was instrumental in helping launch The Ridgefield Playhouse as well as preserving the look and feel of the town of Ridgefield. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band was one of Kitty's favorite bands to headline at The Ridgefield Playhouse, and this performance will be dedicated to her memory. Special guest kicking off the show is Funky Dawgz Brass Band, an 11-piece New Orleans-style ensemble that offers an exciting mix of New Orleans favorites plus their own original music, adding a brass twist to today's top hits. This event is partially underwritten by the Rosa/Beresford family and by Bart's Tree Service and is part of the No. 109 Cheese & Wine "Evening of Art, Wine and Jazz" Series.

Steeped in history, PHJB was formed in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe and took their name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter. Having recently celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a recording and sold-out Carnegie Hall concert that included My Morning Jacket, Tom Waits, Merle Haggard, Mos Def and more luminaries, PHJB is set to usher in the next decade of world-class jazz to a new generation. Many of PHJB's current musicians are related to the original players, and all share the powerful tradition of a music that embodies joy and a timeless spirit. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band was honored as the 2012 Ambassadors of New Orleans Music at that year's Big Easy Music Awards and Best Traditional Jazz 2011. The musical backbone of the band includes masterfully played piano, trombone, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, bass, tuba, banjo and drums along with moving vocals. PHJB have graced the stage of Lincoln Center and entertained British Royalty and the King of Thailand. They have collaborated with My Morning Jacket, Trombone Shorty, Slash and any number of other musical icons.

For tickets ($50 orches. /$45 mezz.), call or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

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