Locating

West End

8000 Lakeshore Drive
New Orleans LA 70124
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Location Status: Different structure at this site
Curated by
e/Prime Media & Randy Fertel
Images Audio Clips

West End on the lakefront was a popular recreational and entertainment area in the late 1800s and early 1900s containing a hotel, restaurant, and amusement park. It was the site of both large symphonic band concerts and more informal performances by early ragtime and jazz bands. Cornetist Joe “King” Oliver commemorated it in his composition “West End Blues.” Louis Armstrong’s 1928 recording of the song is among the most famous from his earliest years. Armstrong’s introductory solo is one his more technically difficult performances on trumpet, and his smooth scatting shows off his vocal prowess as well.

This area was originally developed as a new resort between the 1830s and the 1870s following the creation of the New Basin Canal, and acquired the name West End in 1880.

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Images

West End Hotel with chairs for the bandstand set up to the left.
West End Hotel with chairs for the bandstand set up to the left.
Courtesy of the William Ransom Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University.
Tranchina Restaurant at the West End Hotel. In the 1920s it featured musical performances from the likes of A.J. Piron's Orchestra.
Tranchina Restaurant at the West End Hotel. In the 1920s it featured musical performances from the likes of A.J. Piron's Orchestra.
Courtesy of the William Ransom Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University.
Boardwalks at West End leading to the recreational buildings and Hotel, between which bands would play.
Boardwalks at West End leading to the recreational buildings and Hotel, between which bands would play.
Courtesy of the William Ransom Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University.
A corner of West End. The white building peeking through the trees is Bruning’s Restaurant.
A corner of West End. The white building peeking through the trees is Bruning’s Restaurant.
Courtesy of the William Ransom Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University.
Thom’s Roadhouse at West End.
Thom’s Roadhouse at West End.
Courtesy of the William Ransom Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University.
King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, 1923.
King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, 1923.
Courtesy of the William Ransom Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University.
Louis Armstrong's Hot Five, which made landmark recordings for Okeh Records. Left to right: Armstrong, trumpet, Johnny St. Cyr, banjo; Johnny Dodds, clarinet; Kid Ory, trombone; and Lillian Hardin Armstrong, piano.
Louis Armstrong's Hot Five, which made landmark recordings for Okeh Records. Left to right: Armstrong, trumpet, Johnny St. Cyr, banjo; Johnny Dodds, clarinet; Kid Ory, trombone; and Lillian Hardin Armstrong, piano.

Audio Clips

"West End Blues" by Louis Armstrong (1917)
Buy on iTunes
"Dipper Mouth Blues" by King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band (featuring Louis Armstrong) (1923)
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"Froggie Moore" by King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band (ft. Louis Armstrong) (1923)
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"Chimes Blues" by King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band (ft. Louis Armstrong) (1923)
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Links

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