Elvis Costello, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Larkin Poe and friends at Newport Folk Festival. Photo by Toast.

Elvis Costello, Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Collaborate in New Orleans

Elvis Costello has revealed that the Preservation Hall Jazz Band will join him onstage for a portion of his set when he heads to New Orleans’ Saenger Theatre on Saturday, October 15.

The two acts last collaborated in the Crescent City earlier this year, when Costello was a surprise guest at one of Pres Hall’s famed “Midnight Preserves” shows during Jazz Fest. (We spoke with Costello about his worth with the late Allen Toussaint ahead of that same Jazz Fest). They also joined forces during this year’s Newport Folk Festival, a performance that Costello remembers fondly.

“We were fortunate to all find ourselves playing on the same afternoon and reprised some of the numbers performed for that first tiny audience,” Costello said of the Newport Folk collaboration. “When Preservation Hall came marching out in a middle of my fifth number, I had a feeling we were headed somewhere special. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to take things further and could think of no better place to do it than back in New Orleans.”

“Elvis Costello has been a tremendous supporter of New Orleans and The Preservation Hall,” says Preservation Hall Band’s Ben Jaffe. “It’s an honor to share the stage with Elvis at The Saenger Theater!”

As has been the case with many of Costello’s recent concerts, Rebecca and Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe will open the night. They will then return to the stage–along with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band–to join Costello for a unique finale unlike any other on his current tour.

Tickets for Costello’s show at the Saenger Theatre are currently on sale.