Happy Birthday, Ben Jaffe!
John Dunlop
Preservation Hall creative Director, tubist and double bass player Benjamin Jaffe was born in New Orleans on January 26, 1971, and is the son of Preservation Hall's founders Allan and Sandra Jaffe. Jaffe grew up in New Orleans' French Quarter, two blocks from Preservation Hall. His father, Allan, in addition to managing the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Preservation Hall, played tuba with the band as well. From birth, Ben was brought on tour with the band during their international tours. Ben’s early musical memories are marching alongside his father in Mardi Gras Parades and jazz funeral processions. He began playing in grammar school at McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts in the French Quarter. During high school at NOCCA, he studied upright bass under Walter Payton. After high school, Ben attended Oberlin College where he received a degree in bass performance in 1982.
Following his graduation, Ben returned to New Orleans, resumed his father's position as manager of the Preservation Hall venue and joined the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on tour playing bass and tuba. Jaffe produced a number of albums for the Preservation Hall band, and co-produced the band's first album of original compositions "That's It," alongside My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James. Ben serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Preservation Hall Foundation, the charitable non-profit that serves the mission to "protect, preserve and perpetuate New Orleans jazz music and culture." On his birthday, let’s celebrate with someone who is helping to keep New Orleans music alive! Happy Birthday, Ben!
