On St. Peter Street, at the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans, stands Preservation Hall, an institution unique in American cultural and musical life. In a historic building, complete with carriageway and patio, the pioneers of traditional jazz have played their music nearly every night since the early 1960s. Preservation Hall bands have also travelled constantly worldwide. William Carter tells the story of the Hall itself, the personalities who ran it and, above all, the music and musicians of New Orleans.

Preservation Hall has played host to jazz fans from all parts of the world, musicians and listeners alike. In this lavishly illustrated book, a series of vignettes is interwoven with the narrative, covering, for example, many of the great personalities of early jazz, the story of early recording pioneer Williams Russell, and the steamy dance halls of Luthjens and Specks' Moulin Rouge. The author brilliantly captures the essence of this colourful chapter in America's musical history.

Writer-photographer William Carter's prize-winning books include Ghost Towns of The West, Middle West Country and Illuminations. Born in California, and educated at Stanford University, he has travelled the world professionally for five decades. Yet Carter is most at home playing traditional jazz clarinet. A Ralph J. Gleason Music Book Awards Nominee, Preservation Hall is the first book to give vent to Carter's long love affair with the style and personalities of New Orleans' old Masters.

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