I’ve long been a fan of Preservation Hall – a New Orleans institution dedicated to protect, preserve, and perpetuate traditional jazz. The full Preservation Hall Jazz Band is some 60 members strong, currently, but this sextet is out touring a Creole Christmas celebration. (upcoming dates).

Left to right, that’s Clint Maedgen on saxophone and vocals (part of the PHJB for ~20 years), Kyle Roussel on keys, Kerry Lewis on Tuba and standup bass, Branden Lewis on Trumpet, Peter Verdado on drums, and Revon Andrews on Trombone. (I think – they announced the band a few times from stage but it isn’t printed anywhere or clear on their site – so I hope I’m not miscrediting anyone).

Being a Christmas show, they did Louis Armstrong’s “‘Zat You, Santa Claus?” as well as “Please Come Home For Christmas” (“Bells will be ringing . . .”), “Walking in a Winter Wonderland,” and Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here” (as a solo piano piece for Roussel). They also did some standout New Orleans tunes including Professor Longhair’s “Go To The Mardi Gras” and “Li’l Liza Jane.”

My favorite moment was “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans” – a slower tune for Preservation Hall but one that really showcased Lewis’ singing.