New Orleans Music Tour

based on 28 reviews

Duration:2 hours (approx.)
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

From $25

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Although New Orleans is heavily associated with Jazz, this tour will show how every form of American popular music is informed by New Orleans. As the outgrageous New Orleans R&B legend Ernie K-Doe said: “I'm not sure, but I'm almost positive, all music came from New Orleans.”

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Louis Armstrong Park
Explore the world’s richest musical city, starting with Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square, historic site of African slave gatherings, the only place in North American where pure West African religious ritual and musical traditions were performed. Congo Square is considered the wellspring of all New Orleans music and, consequently, so much of worldwide popular song. It is also the site of the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1970. From Armstrong Park, view the building which housed Cosimo Matassa’s groundbreaking J&M Studios which created the “New Orleans Sound” with such New Orleanians as Professor Longhair, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Guitar Slim, Shirley & Lee, Lloyd Price, Ernie K-Doe, Allen Toussaint, Clarence “Frogman” Henry & visitors including Little Richard, Ray Charles, & Jerry Lee Lewis. J & M Studios is the true birthplace of rock ’n roll.
2. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
From outside St. Louis Cemetery #1, see the New Orleans Musicians Tomb, the use of which was donated by the musical dynasty Barbarin Family for free burial to musicians. The first burial to take place was for Lloyd Washington of the Ink Spots on October 23, 2004. The Musicians Tomb was restored and is administered by Robert Florence of Historic New Orleans Tours.
3. Basin St. Station
You will visit Basin Street Station and stroll down Basin Street where you’ll see the remains of Storyville (including Frank Early’s “My Place” Saloon where “Pretty Baby” was written), fabled turn-of-the-century red light district whose parlors presented the likes of King Oliver, Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet and many more during the early days of jazz.
4. May Baily's Place
Then stroll through the Tango Belt to May Bailey’s and the site of the Old French Opera House ending with the legendary Preservation Hall, a place which represents the past, present, and future of New Orleans music.
5. Preservation Hall
Then stroll through the Tango Belt to May Bailey’s and the site of the Old French Opera House ending with the legendary Preservation Hall, a place which represents the past, present, and future of New Orleans music. Learn the origins of New Orleans Bounce Music and check out the world’s greatest street musicians who are carrying the flame to this very day.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Michelle_L
We love walking tours and take them wherever we travel, but sadly this was the worst walking tour we have ever experienced.
Although Anna, our guide was quite personable this was a total waste of time and money. If you want a musical heritage tour of New Orleans this is NOT a good choice. We wandered around Armstrong Park for an endless hour looking at sculptures of musical icons while our guide looked for samples of the music on her phone. Total waste of time as we could hear very little.
When we finally left the park we entered a rather decrepit laundromat that used to be a jazz recording studio. Our guide talked to us while we side stepped folks moving their dirty clothes around us. The whole experience was sad and demoralizing.
As for other musical venues there was nothing and in fact we had to look at the historic Presevation Jazz Hall from across the street. We all actually thought it was an abandoned building. We were told we could visit famed Frenchman’s Street on our own but to be careful as it could be dangerous.
The final stop at Jackson Square, which was a National Park site was all closed up and no longer in business as the site had been moved to another location. This was news to our “guide.”
I am sorry to say the tour operators should rethink this itinerary and those wishing to learn about New Orleans’ rich music history should look elsewhere.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-30 11:06:27

Posted By : Teresa_C
Knowledgeable tour guide, very passionate about music/music origins. That’s all I have to say, done here.
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Posted On : 2023-12-04 12:28:37

Posted By : Charlie_B
Wonderful tour guide. Very knowledgeable, personable, and informative. He was excellent!
Would highly recommend
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Posted On : 2023-11-19 10:45:54

Posted By : kathryn_b
Our guide was knowledgeable and engaging .. but the tour did not visit preservation hall or the cemetery that were listed in the description of the tour
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Posted On : 2023-10-16 10:13:43

Posted By : James_G
The tour was very informative and enjoyable. David was very knowledgeable and it was easy to see how much he enjoyed sharing music history of New Orleans as well as other history of the city. He brought a tablet and shared pics and recordings related to what he discussed during the tour. He encouraged any question and was able to answer all we could think of. Learned a lot during the tour. Highly recommended!!!
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Posted On : 2023-10-11 20:18:06

Posted By : Smadar_L
Margie was an exceptional guide. We learned so much. I strongly recommend you take the tour. With Margie
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Posted On : 2023-10-03 17:07:54

Posted By : Charles H
Had a really good time on this tour. Our tour guide was very enthusiastic funny and informative. We would recommend this tour
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Posted On : 2023-09-25 17:22:33

Posted By : Jay_H
Very informative tour. Learned a lot about the history of music in New orleans. The guide was very nice. He answered all of our questions.
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Posted On : 2023-08-20 15:23:26

Posted By : Kathy_D
Our guide, David, was fantastic - enthusiatic and extremely knowledgeable. It's apparent that he loves the music history of New Orleans. The 2 hours were filled with a very indepth view of the origins of jazz in the city. Very highly recommend.
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Posted On : 2023-06-08 13:03:15

Posted By : Amy_R
Rob was full of musical and historical knowledge. It was fun to hear the various kinds of music along the way.
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Posted On : 2023-05-04 10:33:15