Some of the audience at Monday?s Festival concert slipped away at the intermission, and so never experienced the extraordinary culmination of the evening. In truth, I myself was tempted to slip away as well. Conversation with some wise heads of Trad jazz in the break confirmed that I was not the only one feeling somewhat disappointed and dissatisfied. One such person did however remark prophetically, though perhaps in jest, that the band had taken a hit from Katrina. As it turned out six of the seven bandsmen had lost their homes in the terrible hurricane, we later learned.

Before ever a note was sounded were saw a film tracing the development of The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the interest and efforts of the Jaffe family to ensure that this music could continue to be heard. There were some interesting images of marching bands, and sessions that were meant to orient the uninitiated, of whom there must have been very few.

And then the music.

To begin with, there was a kind of flatness about the first half; the proliferation of blues, the similarity of key, and a lack of real spark in the soloing, except occasionally from trumpeter John Bruniuos, all contributed to a sort of ennui. There was even a disastrous rendition of ?When You?re Smiling? by part time vocalist Chuck Maedgen, who sounded somewhat like Wayne Newton, out of style and place.

Things sparked a bit with a vocal duet between vocalist/banjoist Carl le Blanc, and tuba player Ben Jaffe, singing a children?s song in Creole. It was disarmingly simple song sung with heartfelt enthusiasm, accompanied by some special banjo playing.

This audience applauded enthusiastically for each rendition as if willing the performers to reach higher ground.

A spirited version of ?Shake That Thing? sent the band to intermission with a warm round of applause. When the band returned they seemed recharged.

The second set opened with ?Way Down Yonder in New Orleans?; clarinetist Ralph Johnson performed ?La Petite Fleur?, which proved a success with the house. We heard ?Zulu Kings?, with great solos by trumpeter Brunious and saxophonist Earnest (Doc) Watson. It was obvious that Watson is a master of his instrument well versed in other styles, elements of which crept into his soloing. There was also a long solo by drummer Joseph Latie that had the audience jumping. At LeBlanc?s invitation the audience began doing a jump that resembled the Brazilian wave.

?Last chance to dance!? said Brunious and the audience rose in response, moving and clapping in the aisles. An hour before that had not seemed likely, but the audience had come determined to enjoy themselves and to express their sympathy with the fabled jazz city.

The band came off stage into the auditorium, and soon several folk were up following them around the stage. Four brave souls ended up on stage for the finale, which included ?When The Saints Go Marching In?.

They band left the stage to a standing ovation. The audience wanted them back, but only But only le Blanc, Jaffe and Brunious, came on, the latter to sing a moving rendition of ?Do You Know What it Means To Miss New Orleans?. And that was that.

Earlier Jaffe had expressed the band?s thanks for their having been made to feel at home; home away from home, as he put it. He thanked the audience for their support, and shared then that six of the seven members of the band had been rendered homeless but Katrina.

I believe that the audience was an unusually significant factor in the evening?s success. The band can now only go on to better things for the remaining evenings? performances. May they be blessed with audiences like Monday evening?s.