New Orleans Music Tour
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.”
Options
New Orleans Music Tour
What's included in New Orleans Music Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
Inclusions
- Tour Guide
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Meet the tour guide at the Rampart Treehouse, 740 North Rampart Street
End Points
- The legendary Preservation Hall at 726 St. Peter Street where people will be already lining up for the 5 PM show.
