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The Historic New Orleans Collection

The New Orleans Sound: From R&B to Rock ’n’ Roll

Antoine “Fats” Domino and Dave Bartholomew at a piano in a recording studio, 1957.

In this talk, explore how New Orleans musicians evolved the rhythms and soul of jazz into new American genres that took the world by storm.

In the early 20th century, New Orleans’s rich fusion of cultures gave birth to what we know today as jazz. From its rhythmic and soulful foundations emerged the new American sounds of rhythm & blues and rock ’n’ roll—exciting, defiant, and endlessly creative. 

Join us for this Shortcut Talk presented in HNOC’s French Quarter Galleries exploring how New Orleans musicians introduced these groundbreaking genres to the world. Along the way, enjoy classic hits by Roy Brown, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Lloyd Price, Smiley Lewis, Little Richard, and more. 

Professor Longhair performing on stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1979.
Lloyd Price performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1993.

Hear this talk

Offered daily at 2 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday*
Free and open to the public (no registration required)
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
Location: French Quarter Galleries, 520 Royal Street

*This talk is offered on a rotating basis with other Shortcut Talks and may not always be available on a given day.
For groups of 10 or more, please contact tours@hnoc.org.Opens in new tab

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