Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Preservation Hall Jazz Band makes their Presidio Theatre debut for three special performances to celebrate Mardi Gras, the start of our Spring Season, and the Grand Opening of our Members-Only Lounge.

For all three performances, our indoor and outdoor spaces will be transformed into a Mardi Gras experience with beads, brass, and Big Easy vibes. Pre-Concert festivities will feature the Bay Area’s Jazz Mafia performing as ‘Brass Mafia’ to present their version of the New Orleans brass band tradition.

Founded in 1961, the beloved Preservation Hall is a global institution and the Jazz Band has helped to define the musical traditions of the Crescent City for more than six decades.  Preservation Hall Jazz Band presents the Big Easy’s musical heritage and the wealth of New Orleans’ musical talent.

Under the direction of creative director and tuba player Ben Jaffe, the band has remained timelessly relevant as a reminder that the history they were founded to preserve is a vibrantly living history.

JAZZ MAFIA

Over Jazz Mafia’s 25 years of constantly pushing musical boundaries and surprising audiences, one of the backbones of their collective has been the ever-expanding horn section. Also known as Brass Mafia, the horns—led by Jazz Mafia founder Adam Theis—have collaborated with hundreds of top artists and are sought after for their eclectic and entertaining brass band performances.

Based on the tried-and-true New Orleans brass ensemble tradition, Brass Mafia includes trombone, trumpet, saxes, drums, and, most importantly, tuba. However, the band goes far beyond homage, embodying the eclectic spirit and innovation of the SF Bay Area in its sound and energy. Drawing on influences from multiple decades and continents, Brass Mafia crafts a diverse repertoire of originals and unexpected mashups, frequently collaborating with rappers and vocalists to create performances as distinctive as the region they represent.

With a strong emphasis on heavy backbeats, creative improvisation, and unique arrangements, Jazz Mafia has been featured at SFJAZZ, the annual SF Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Parade (7 years), and events with Lyrics Born, Thomas Dolby, Peter Rowan, and Nicki Bluhm. Equally at home as a powerful marching band or a dynamic nightclub act, their sold-out shows are a testament to their versatility and crowd-pleasing energy.

FAQs