Southern United States

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has said that in trying to make the years of the early 20th century come alive in his films, he discovered that jazz music – what he describes as the "soundtrack of America" during those decades – did the trick. "Using jazz music to illustrate the 20s, the 30s, the 40s and the 50s drew me to jazz," he recalls. "I had to know something about it. And as I learned more about it, I wanted to make a film about it." The event features guided exploration through jazz history where it was made with noted jazz experts and historians, and a private behind-the-scenes tour of the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Returning for another encore after four successful appearances in previous years, The Tauck Jazz Event, a Ken Burns Event, brings guests together March 27 – 31, 2019, in the birthplace of jazz – New Orleans – for five extraordinary days of live musical performances, themed sightseeing and exclusive experiences... including a personal appearance by Ken Burns. You'll visit some of the places in New Orleans that played a role in the creation and history of jazz in the French Quarter and throughout the city, from Basin Street and Preservation Hall to NOCCA and Tremé. You'll explore jazz archives and collections, museums and historic sites with insights from musicians, scholars and historians... as well as from filmmaker Ken Burns himself, in a keynote address at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts followed by an exclusive performance by noted jazz trumpeter and composer Christian Scott and his band and an opportunity to meet Ken at a private open house reception. But most importantly, you'll enjoy exclusive opportunities to hear this glorious music live. Private evenings and performances include... a welcome performance by Dr. Michael White & his band... an open bar reception at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans; and an exclusive dinner with live jazz trios at iconic Arnaud's... Exclusive private performances by nationally known jazz artists including trumpeter Christian Scott at NOCCA, saxophonist Donald Harrison at The Ritz-Carlton, and others... Exclusive private performance for Tauck guests only at legendary Preservation Hall... and a gala farewell evening at The Roosevelt New Orleans including a private cocktail party with live jazz in The Blue Room, and dinner in the Waldorf-Astoria Ballroom, followed by dancing to the big band sounds of Wendell Brunious and his band.

The event is limited to 210 guests. Daily sightseeing will be in intimate small groups of approximately 35 Tauck guests. Each group, accompanied by a dedicated Tauck Director along with local experts and guides, will embark daily on one of three custom-crafted sightseeing tracks designed to showcase the nature, history and cultural significance of jazz music, and the topics that Ken Burns sees as critical to our understanding and appreciation of it. Later, all groups gather to enjoy extraordinary evenings of live jazz – and more – together. This once-in-a-lifetime experience brings to life the stories, personalities, events and influences that have shaped – and continue to shape – the music we know as jazz. Sightseeing tracks include:

The Roots of Jazz – Visit Basin Street Station for stories of homegrown jazz pioneers like Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet, St. Louis Cemetery #1 and Rampart Street. Enjoy lunch in one of Satchmo's old neighborhoods, a private tour by a noted jazz archivist, and a viewing of historic instruments at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Jazz in the Quarter – Encounter jazz at every turn in New Orleans' iconic French Quarter – from a private tour at the historic Presbytere, to a rare private performance for Tauck guests only at that shrine of traditional jazz, Preservation Hall, to a special lunch at Dickie Brennan's Tableau, featuring fine Creole cuisine on Jackson Square.

Jazz & the Story of Survival in New Orleans Today – Explore Tremé – America's oldest neighborhood of "free people of color" – for stories of survival in the wake of Hurricane Katrina… from a walking tour and a lecture by an environmental architect to insights on jazz funerals and "second line" traditions, Mardi Gras Indians and more.

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has said that in trying to make the years of the early 20th century come alive in his films, he discovered that jazz music – what he describes as the "soundtrack of America" during those decades – did the trick. "Using jazz music to illustrate the 20s, the 30s, the 40s and the 50s drew me to jazz," he recalls. "I had to know something about it. And as I learned more about it, I wanted to make a film about it." The event features guided exploration through jazz history where it was made with noted jazz experts and historians, and a private behind-the-scenes tour of the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Returning for another encore after four successful appearances in previous years, The Tauck Jazz Event, a Ken Burns Event, brings guests together March 27 – 31, 2019, in the birthplace of jazz – New Orleans – for five extraordinary days of live musical performances, themed sightseeing and exclusive experiences... including a personal appearance by Ken Burns. You'll visit some of the places in New Orleans that played a role in the creation and history of jazz in the French Quarter and throughout the city, from Basin Street and Preservation Hall to NOCCA and Tremé. You'll explore jazz archives and collections, museums and historic sites with insights from musicians, scholars and historians... as well as from filmmaker Ken Burns himself, in a keynote address at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts followed by an exclusive performance by noted jazz trumpeter and composer Christian Scott and his band and an opportunity to meet Ken at a private open house reception. But most importantly, you'll enjoy exclusive opportunities to hear this glorious music live. Private evenings and performances include... a welcome performance by Dr. Michael White & his band... an open bar reception at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans; and an exclusive dinner with live jazz trios at iconic Arnaud's... Exclusive private performances by nationally known jazz artists including trumpeter Christian Scott at NOCCA, saxophonist Donald Harrison at The Ritz-Carlton, and others... Exclusive private performance for Tauck guests only at legendary Preservation Hall... and a gala farewell evening at The Roosevelt New Orleans including a private cocktail party with live jazz in The Blue Room, and dinner in the Waldorf-Astoria Ballroom, followed by dancing to the big band sounds of Wendell Brunious and his band.

The event is limited to 210 guests. Daily sightseeing will be in intimate small groups of approximately 35 Tauck guests. Each group, accompanied by a dedicated Tauck Director along with local experts and guides, will embark daily on one of three custom-crafted sightseeing tracks designed to showcase the nature, history and cultural significance of jazz music, and the topics that Ken Burns sees as critical to our understanding and appreciation of it. Later, all groups gather to enjoy extraordinary evenings of live jazz – and more – together. This once-in-a-lifetime experience brings to life the stories, personalities, events and influences that have shaped – and continue to shape – the music we know as jazz. Sightseeing tracks include:

The Roots of Jazz – Visit Basin Street Station for stories of homegrown jazz pioneers like Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet, St. Louis Cemetery #1 and Rampart Street. Enjoy lunch in one of Satchmo's old neighborhoods, a private tour by a noted jazz archivist, and a viewing of historic instruments at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Jazz in the Quarter – Encounter jazz at every turn in New Orleans' iconic French Quarter – from a private tour at the historic Presbytere, to a rare private performance for Tauck guests only at that shrine of traditional jazz, Preservation Hall, to a special lunch at Dickie Brennan's Tableau, featuring fine Creole cuisine on Jackson Square.

Jazz & the Story of Survival in New Orleans Today – Explore Tremé – America's oldest neighborhood of "free people of color" – for stories of survival in the wake of Hurricane Katrina… from a walking tour and a lecture by an environmental architect to insights on jazz funerals and "second line" traditions, Mardi Gras Indians and more.