During the heyday of jazz in New Orleans in the early part of the 20th century, the segregated city boasted two music strips that rivaled anything that Frenchmen or Bourbon Streets offer today. South Rampart Street was the epicenter of the black section, and is famously known as the area where a 12-year-old Louis Armstrong was arrested for firing a gun on New Year’s Eve.
Though the city hasn’t done much to preserve either section of Rampart Street (very little remains of the white district on the other side of Canal Street), a few buildings remain on S. Rampart Street from this very important era in music history.
One of them, the Little Gem Saloon, has been thoroughly renovated and is now open with a restaurant that evokes the foodstuffs of the era, and an upstairs performance space that is featuring live jazz. Located at 445 S. Rampart Street, the business is seeking to capitalize on the resurgence of this long-neglected section of the Central Business District.
With a live jazz happy hour during the week (4-7 PM), office workers will find a comfortable space to unwind after a long day at work. The dinner menu is the work of award-winning chef Robert Bruce.
But it is the second floor Ramp Room that has everyone in town talking about the new club. This week’s schedule features some of the city’s best talent. Johnny Vidacovich holds down the drum chair and leader position on Wednesday night. Thursday night features the Palmetto Bug Stompers. Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns are scheduled for Friday night and Delfeayo Marsalis takes over on Saturday.
They also have a Brass Band Brunch on Sundays featuring the Paulin Brothers Brass Band.
Stay tuned to TVD for ticket giveaways in the near future.
See you there!
