Uptown Ruler: 13th Ward Tour
The 13th Ward covers less than 1.5 square miles of Uptown New Orleans, but includes a trove of music heritage sites.
Valencia, an exclusive teen club, was a venue for many of New Orleans’ finest R&B artists, and important to the development of one of its finest teen groups, the Hawketts, which included 13th Ward legends Art Neville and Idris Muhammad.
Idris Muhammad, regarded among the greatest drummers of his generation, earned international acclaim by adapting rhythms he heard in and around this apartment on Lyons Street in the 1940s and 50s.
Generations of one of the most important families in postwar New Orleans music, the Nevilles, made their home on the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Valence Street.
Benny’s Bar became one of New Orleans’ best-loved venues in the 1980s and 90s, thanks in large part to its proximity to the Nevilles.
The stage at F&M Patio hosted legends including Irma Thomas and Ernie K-Doe, as well as 13th Ward resident “Deacon John” Moore.
Read more about the musical history of the 13th Ward.
Places in this Tour
Videos
Aaron Neville speaks to A Closer Walk about his formative experiences in the 13th Ward.
Video posted by the Ponderosa Stomp. Editing by e/Prime media.
Aaron Neville speaks to A Closer Walk about his formative experiences in the 13th Ward.
Images
