Pencil This In: Preservation Hall Jazz Band Brings Noise, Both Old And New, To City Winery

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 24, 2014 5:30PM

Preservation Hall Jazz Band is quite the draw in New Orleans and many flock to their crowded sets to hear the band interpret the sounds of yore. It's a history lesson in the birth of jazz in that region of the country and it's a lesson so worth taking that many people return over and over to learn again and again. The band's primary draw has always been their ability ot breathe fresh life into classic standards. But recently they took an unexpected turn and we couldn't be more delighted.

Their new album, That's It!, is Preservation Hall Jazz Band's first LP of all original music, and it is truly a joy. They take a dextrous tour through the sounds of their musical foundation to create a work that is just as thrilling as their most inspired live sets. For many similar groups this might be dangerous territory, with a real risk of coming across as rewriting pale imitations of classic standards, but Preservation hall Jazz Band is up to the challenge and walks away, leaving 11 songs destined to become new standards in their wake.

The band is in town this week to play City Winery and—astoundingly—tickets are still available for both tonight and tomorrow night's shows. Grab them while you can!

If you have an event for inclusion in "Pencil This In," please contact Tankboy (for A&E-related listings), Melissa McEwen (for tastings, dinners and food and drink-related events) or tips[at]chicagoist[dot]com.