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New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans, near the French Quarter.
It was created in 1994 to celebrate the origins and evolution of jazz.
Jazz Walk of Fame is located just a Mississippi River ferry ride from downtown New Orleans. The walk is a series of
lampposts dedicated to an influential jazz musician. Other walking tours are set up that may be taken throughout the
city. I took none. A picture of the visitor center in the French Quarter.
Stage inside of the visitor center. Nothing was scheduled at the time of my visit.
One of the locations I spotted on a tour brochure was the Old U.S.Mint, not far from the visitor center. It is home to
the Louisiana State Museum. This museum and the national park have a partnership that brings a world class music venue
to the birthplace of jazz. I did not visit the museum.
Another location mentioned was Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter.
A statue of Andrew Jackson, the leader of the American forces at the Battle of New Orleans.
Armstrong Park, a few blocks from the French Quarter, was alse mentioned. I wandered through it. Later I learned four
acres within his park is leased from the city by the National Park Service. An old masonic lodge on the leased land must
be the national park location. This lodge preserves information and resources associated with the origins and
early development of jazz.
Just inside the gates of the city park.
Charles 'Buddy' Bolden (1877-1931), First King of Jazz, is a legendary cornet player. He is often considered the earliest jazz
musician and band leader and was among the first to improvise popular music using the black blues and rhythmn vocal style
on a horn.
Louis Armstrong (1901-1971), nicknamed Satchmo, was a trumpeter and singer from New Orleans.
Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972), the Queen of Gospel, was from New Orleans.
A sculpture in Congo Square. During the French and Spanish colonial era of Lousiana, slaves were allowed to gather
here, setup a market, sing, dance and play music. These gatherings gradually develped into Mardi Gras Indian traditions,
the Second Line and jazz and rhythm and blues.
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