New Orleans Music History Walking Tour to Congo Square

Explore New Orleans on foot, connecting the city's musical past with the traditions that continue on its streets today.

• Discover Storyville's role in the early days of jazz, from King Oliver to Jelly Roll Morton
• Explore the recording legacy of J&M Studios, where Fats Domino and Little Richard made music
• Learn the origins of New Orleans bounce music

Itinerary

“I'm not sure, but I'm almost positive, all music came from New Orleans.” Ernie K-Doe. Explore the world’s richest musical city, starting with a look at the legendary Preservation Hall. Enter the site of the Old French Opera House and stroll through the Tango Belt and May Bailey’s before arriving at the Treme section. Visit historic St. Louis Cemetery #1 to see the New Orleans Musicians Tomb, the use of which was donated by the Barbarin Family. Stroll through the Tango Belt to the New Orleans Musicians Tomb in St. Louis Cemetery #1, the use of which was donated by the musical dynasty Barbarin Family for free burial to musicians. The first burial to take place was of Lloyd Washington of the Ink Spots on October 23, 2004.

From the cemetery you will check out the remains of Storyville (including Quinn Early’s 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 time when jazz was born.

From Storyville, check out the Basin Street Station and then venture into Louis Armstrong Park, the location of 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 the world’s most popular song. It is also the site of the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (1970) and the Municipal Auditorium. After leaving Armstrong Park, enter the building which housed the legendary 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 and visitors including Little Richard, Ray Charles, and Jerry Lee Lewis. 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.

Important details

• Senior tickets require age 62+, student tickets require age 16+, and military tickets require active military status. Bring valid ID for these ticket types.
• Arrive 15–20 minutes before your scheduled departure.