CRADLE OF JAZZ - SYNCOPATED STROLL
A one-hour immersive musical journey through Back-o-Town
“It is evidently known, beyond contradiction, that New Orleans is the Cradle of Jazz.”
— Jelly Roll Morton
Join us for a rhythm-infused syncopated stroll led by professional licensed tour guides who are not only historians, but also musicians, culture bearers, and community leaders. Departing from the Hyatt Regency, this unique experience takes students through this neighborhood central to the birth and evolution of jazz.
Our guides—many of whom are master practitioners of this distinctly American art form—will share stories, songs, and history that connect the past to the present. Along the way, students will explore the cultural threads that shaped jazz: from the West African rhythms of Congo Square to the brass band traditions and juke joints of Back-o-Town, the very neighborhood where King Oliver earned his crown and a young Louis Armstrong first encountered the music that would change his life—and ours.
While jazz may not have a single inventor, this walk traces its origins through place, people, and performance. Come stroll with us and discover how jazz emerged as a bold expression of freedom and identity, right here in the streets of New Orleans.
Estimated Price:
$400.00 based on 1 - 15 guests
$750.00 based on up to 30 guests
$1,050.00 based on up to 40 guests
Inclusions:
- One (1) professional licensed tour guide - maximum of 15 guests per guide
- One (1) Cradle of Jazz hand-fan per guest
- Cradle of Jazz Playlist
- Professional coordination
- All applicable taxes and fees
Enhancements: suggestions and pricing available upon request:
Right Outside Your Door
Take it to the street! Step outside the Hyatt Regency and into history! Curated for JEN 2026, this field trip connects your students with the people and places that gave birth to America’s music—jazz.
Rhythms & roots of congo sqaure
A 2-hour walking tour through the cultural landscape that gave rise to jazz
Step into the sounds and stories of New Orleans on the Rhythms and Roots Stroll—an immersive walking tour led by professional guides who are also accomplished musicians, culture bearers, and community leaders. Departing from the Hyatt Regency, this experience winds through the historic Back-o-Town neighborhood, into the legacy of Storyville, and to the heartbeat of Congo Square.
Through music, movement, and memory, students will uncover the layered origins of jazz: the West African rhythms pulsing from Congo Square; the sacred strains of Black gospel music; the melodic traditions of European opera; and the syncopated spirit of early dance halls and street parades. These diverse influences found fertile ground in Back-o-Town, where a young Louis Armstrong absorbed the revolutionary sounds shaping a new American art form.
We'll also visit the echoes of Storyville, the once-infamous red-light district where ragtime, blues, and improvisation collided in saloons and clubs, giving rise to new forms of musical expression. Along the way, your guides—many of whom are master jazz practitioners—will share stories that connect these places to the broader cultural climate that birthed jazz.
This stroll is more than a history lesson—it’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the powerful role of community in shaping music that speaks to freedom, identity, and innovation. We look forward to walking with you through the roots of rhythm and the soul of jazz.
Estimated Price: $800.00 based on 1 - 20 guests
Inclusions:
- One (1) professional licensed tour guide - max 20 guests per guide - based on 2 hours
- One (1) assistant guide / coordinator
- One (1) Master Drummer / Storyteller in Congo Square
- One (1) hand-fan per guest
- N.O. Regional Transit Bus Fare for return to Hyatt Regency Hotel
- All applicable taxes and fees
Enhancements: suggestions and pricing available upon request:
Freedom of Expression
Born in New Orleans’ melting pot of cultures, jazz is the sound of freedom, resilience, and pure self-expression.
Sounds of the City: N.O. Jazz Museum Experience
An interactive journey through the sounds, stories, and spirit of jazz
Students enjoy a rich, immersive experience at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, where music, history, and culture come alive. Upon arrival, a dedicated cultural ambassador—deeply connected to the subject matter—welcomes students and guides them through a personalized rotation of three dynamic exhibits.
At each stop, students engage with ambassadors who not only interpret the exhibits but bring them to life through personal stories, demonstrations, and lived experiences. In the acclaimed Drumsville exhibit, for example, a master drummer shares the evolution of rhythm in New Orleans—demonstrating techniques and traditions that trace the drum’s impact from Congo Square to contemporary jazz.
This program deepens understanding, sparks curiosity, and fosters a lasting connection to New Orleans’ musical legacy. More than a museum visit, it’s an experience that moves, teaches, and inspires.
Estimated Price: $1,000.00 based up to 50 guests
Inclusions:
- Admission to N.O. Jazz Museum compliments of Louisiana State Museums
- One (1) assistant guide / coordinator
- Three (3) exhibit specific ambassadors
- All applicable taxes and fees
Enhancements priced upon request:
- Performance in the 3rd floor theater
N.O. Jazz Museum
The New Orleans Jazz Museum celebrates the city’s role as the birthplace of jazz, preserving its history and inspiring new generations. Through world-class exhibits, live performances, and community programs, the museum connects locals and visitors alike to the music, culture, and stories that define New Orleans.