New Orleans Jazz
Several American cities claim their rights as the birthplace of Jazz, the Blues and R&B; but New Orleans has a heritage that the others simply cannot deny. This is where Louis Armstrong learned to sing like his trumpet - or did his trumpet learn to sing like "Satchmo"? - and Fats Domino sang to us about Blueberry Hill. To this day some of the talented musicians who play "Dixieland" Jazz at Preservation Hall claim that they learned at the feet of Armstrong, or at least at the feet of someone who did. If all you want is to hear music, Preservation Hall is the shrine. No food, no drinks, no ambience - but the music will fill your soul. If you find your soul still needs attention, don't miss the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues every Sunday. Don't let the name fool you. Blues are just a part of the offering there these days. Maison Bourbon is another Jazz icon in the French Quarter.

Some of America's greatest musicians learned their craft here, and some of the greatest still play here. No visit to New Orleans is complete without a healthy sampling of the music that was born in the Quarter.

If you are already a Jazz lover or you have become hooked on Jazz after your New Orleans vacation then you may want to visit The Jazz Site. Jazz Services in the national organisation for the UK. Funded by the Arts Council England and a not-for-profit organisation it aims to provide a voice for Jazz with services in marketing, touring support, information and advice for those in or wanting to be involved in the jazz scene. The web site provides information about jazz in the UK – its' performers, club and festival promoters, the media who write about jazz internationally, nationally and locally, the colleges with specialist courses and the places to find Summer schools, workshops and private tuition in jazz. It also has hundreds of links to jazz web sites throughout the world so you can find out about great Jazz events and musicians not located in New Orleans.