Joe's Story (5 of 5)

Joe Lastie constantly recognizes the importance of passing on the venerable tradition of New Orleans music. “I teach this young kid who is interested in the traditional styles, you know the press rolls...It's important to keep playing the traditional music. That's where I'm trying to reach these kids now. I encourage them, ‘Ya'll sound good, you're playing the traditional music. Ya'll keep it up because we need ya'll.’”

“I’m at a point now where I’m not too much worried about the money,” he said. “I’m worried about preserving the music. I’m playing a gig down the street right now where I didn’t really want the headache. But guess what? It’s putting musicians to work, and keeping the traditional music out there.”

As a Hall Fellow of the Preservation Hall Foundation, Joe continues to be involved in many aspects of Preservation Hall, serving as a community educator and culture bearer within the New Orleans musical community. His commitment to the protecting, preserving, and perpetuating of Traditional New Orleans Jazz embodies the definition of what it means to be a New Orleans musician. Preservation Hall is proud to have Joe Lastie as a part of our family and musical community. 

Photo on top courtesy of Jason Davis/Getty Images. Photo above courtesy of Steffi Graham.