In 1910, The Tuxedo Jazz Band played its first show at the Tuxedo Dance Hall in Storyville, under Oscar Celestin. The popular ensemble went on to play all over New Orleans, as well as across the South and the nation. In 1953, it became the first jazz band to play the White House. The band has punctuated Jazz history and produced some of the most memorable musicians of the past century: Bob French, Albert French, William Ridgley, Octave Crosby, Louis Armstrong and more.
Creole Fest, 1956. Left to right: Albert Walters, “Cornbread” Thomas, Albert French and Larry Darnell. Courtesy of the Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Author Sally Newhart has written a definitive and captivating history of the band from inception to present, including oral histories, archival photos, discography and a previously unpublished complete list of members since 1910. Check out the press kit below, and then listen to music samples from the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band here!
The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band will be available March 19, 2013.
Click the image below for vintage images, a free chapter excerpt and exclusive author interview:
Now, throw in a few music samples…
Hi Joyce,
You can listen to audio samples and watch Youtube clips of the band at http://originaltuxedojazzband.com/?page_id=29#. Enjoy!
THP
Congratulations Sally! Good luck with your book.
I started reading the book today and it’s wonderful. I’ve read over half of it already, I just can’t put it down. The author has made the information come to life. Sometimes history books can be a little boring, but this book has kept my interest and has made me excited to learn more about the band. Thank you for publishing this book. I look forward to reading more books by Sally Newhart.