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Museum object · Photographs and Still Images

Sweet Emma and Her Preservation Hall Jazz Band

1964; printed later

New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A black-and-white photograph of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band of New Orleans, standing in front of Preservation Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana. The photograph depicts six men in suits standing behind bass drum, with the words [PRESERVATION HALL / JAZZ / BAND / of / New Orleans, La.] printed on the drumhead. The men are standing in a line and each is holding one instrument. From left to right is Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau holding a double bass, "Big" Jim Robinson holding a trombone, Emanuel Sayles holding a banjo, Willie Humphrey holding a clarinet, Josiah "Cie" Frazier holding drumsticks, and Percy Humphrey holding a trumpet. "Sweet" Emma Barrett, piano player and leader of the band, is seated to the right of the wearing a skirt set, printed blouse, hat and jingles attached to her calves. There are no inscriptions on the front or back of the image.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2016.112

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