I went to Preservation Hall for Brass Band Thursday and saw the New Birth Brass Band. Hooray! This was one of the best places I went in my 5 day trip to New Orlleans. There are very few seats – 2 or 3 rows of benches at the front (20 seats?) and standing room at the back and out in the hallway. We arrived 30-40 minutes before the 8pm doors opened, and we still ended up standing up at the back. It was a cool night in March and the place was pretty warm with all those bodies. I can’t imagine what it would be like in July! Unlike most places in the French Quarter, they don’t serve food or drinks – only great music! I’ve read that the building has been standing since the 1700s, and it sure looks that way. Definitely worth the $10 ticket and waiting outside in line for half an hour or more. It was fun just people watching on the street, and you can have a drink on the sidewalk while you’re in line :)

I definitely recommend this place to anyone interested in jazz or just looking for something besides the mayhem of Bourbon Street.