October is definitely the most beautiful month in New Orleans and after a mild hurricane season but extremely hot summer, it was welcomed by all! The hotels were packed, the restaurants filled and the music was enthralling throughout the French Quarter.
The New Orleans Jazz Historical Park has many classes at three locations in the Quarter: one at the Visitor Center on Decatur, the Dutch Alley location on N. Peters and the Jazz Museum on Esplanade.
The classes may have been late in scheduling due to government issues at the end of September, but a class was being held the day after our arrival. The Decatur location is only a few blocks from our hotel and we were able to attend a class with pianist Kris Tokarski.
Kris took us through the piano players of early jazz from Scott Joplin to Bud Powell. Henry Brown characterized a form of barrelhouse blues and Jelly Roll Morton’s contributions were immeasurable. His early jazz compositions could imitate the sounds of an entire orchestra. Ranger Jade Perdue provided some vocals and Kris played a few Eubie Blake pieces, demonstrating an early boogie-woogie format along with his first composition “The Charleston Rag.”
James P. Johnson, a stride master, figured prominently in the day and Fats Waller had his own special style. Earl “Fatha” Hines while in Chicago and with the Hot 7, imitated the trumpet with his right hand while Tedd
