Activity New Orleans, USA

New Orleans Music Tour

4.6 (75 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

75 reviews

4.6

Cosimo Matassa's first studio building, birthplace of rock n roll — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Marie Laveau Day & Blessing of the Drums at Congo Square — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.”

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Art Tours Walking Tours Music Tours Excellent Quality Carnival

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–20
Guide: English
Operated by: Historic New Orleans Tours

Ages: Infants (0–6 years) · Children (7–11 years) · Youth (12–17 years) · Adults (18–61 years) · Seniors (62–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: A look at current street music and where the hottest live acts
Included: Tour Guide
Included: Visits to music-related landmarks

Not included

Not included: What to bring: comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen, hat, and rain/sun protection
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Louis Armstrong Park

30 min

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.
Basin St. Station

20 min

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.
May Baily's Place

20 min

Then stroll through the Tango Belt to May Bailey’s and the site of the Old French Opera House.
Preservation Hall

20 min

End at 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.
Congo Square

30 min Admission included

Congo Square is the only place in North America where pure West African religious ritual took place. If American popular music comes from New Orleans, it specifically originates in Congo Square.