There are some music venues that change ownership, evolve and become less than the original vision that inspired it in the first place. This is definitely not the case with the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans. On February 24, 1974 I was about to graduate high school in Natchez. I was already a New Orleans regular thanks to my family and friends. My visits were confined to the French Quarter and I had no clue as to what was taking place a few miles away on Oak Street. This was the day that The Maple Leaf Bar opened with Andrew Hall’s Society Jazz Band taking the stage and they returned each week for seven years.
The Maple Leaf has harbored and nurtured New Orleans music and musicians every step of the way with repeat appearances by performers like the “Piano Prince of New Orleans” James Booker, Papa Grows Funk, Walter Wolfman Washington, and Henry Butler. Seven nights a week the music flows from the stage to offer appreciative locals as well as music tourists the opportunity to get up close and personal with real deal New Orleans Music.
This was a place built for music and sustained by music. For those wanting authentic New Orleans food and music, why not make a night of it? Start out a few doors down at Jacques-Imo’s Café. Better make reservations. Have a great meal and then go a few steps down to the Maple Leaf to get funkified by the outstanding talent that calls the Maple Leaf home. I assure you the Leaf will become your New Orleans second home.
Other nominees were:
Delta Music Museum in Ferriday Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum in Angola 3V Tourist Court and The Magnolia Café in St. Francisville Teddy’s Juke Joint in Zachary Red Dragon Listening Room in Baton Rouge
