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.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Then stroll through the Tango Belt to May Bailey’s and the site of the Old French Opera House ending with the legendary Preservation Hall, a place which represents the past, present, and future of New Orleans music.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Then stroll through the Tango Belt to May Bailey’s and the site of the Old French Opera House ending with the legendary Preservation Hall, a place which represents the past, present, and future of New Orleans music.

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.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free