BLACK LIVES MATTER

I am New Orleans. As much a part of the city as it is within me. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without my family and the black men and women around me. Without them, I am not. Nor would I want to be.

Traditional New Orleans Black American Music fills my heart and soul. The men and women who preserved this music passed it down and welcomed me to become a part of their life long calling to perpetuate it further. They did this as they were living under the burdens of the systemic racism that still exists today. I am forever grateful and humbled by their friendships. Allowing me to become part of the lineage. Seeing the injustices they lived though and still do so to this day, has been gut wrenching and pissing me off my entire life. Everyone has to speak and act out against the injustices incurred by our fellow men and women………..INCESSANTLY.

Since the whole State Lottery boom started off many years ago, people always wonder aloud, “What would you do if you won the big money.” My answer has never changed. REPARATIONS !

-Aron

Aron Lambert, drummer and teacher with the Collective at Preservation Hall.

Raised in the French Quarter and Treme neighborhoods of New Orleans, Aron was socialized and humanized through a golden era of New Orleans music in the 70's and 80's. Preservation Hall was founded by Sandra and Allan Jaffe (his aunt and uncle), and is today still run today by his cousin Ben. Suffices to say, Aron grew up in the Hall, wanting to emulate those he saw pushing the bands from behind the drum kit. The legendary musicians who played at the Hall served as the foundation for his life-journey to be a New Orleans Drummer. Other legendary bands like The Olympia Brass Band, The Meters, The Neville Brothers and The Wild Magnolias (along with other Mardi Gras Indians) were other root foundations of his rhythmic education.

For the last 5 years, through The Preservation Hall Foundation, Aron has been teaching in the New Orleans Juvenile Justice System. He has developed the classes to use New Orleans drums and rhythms to teach both music theory as well as coping skills for life. Just prior to the Covid outbreak and shut down, this program was thriving, having positively impacted over 200 incarcerated boys and girls.

Aron is also a proud member of the Preservation Hall Legacy Education program. Prior to the shutdown these were afternoon concerts at The Hall. In addition to the performance, musicians at these events would interact with the audience in both a question and answer and free thought format. This gave Aron and all the other members the opportunity to share their life stories about the Hall and their personal paths.

In addition to being a vital member of the Hall Collective, Aron also plays with the legendary Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the world famous Treme Brass Band. He has followed in the footsteps of the NOLA drummers who came before and inspired him. Now, he proudly continues the path, playing and teaching, sharing the traditions with the world. There is a distinguished list of bands and musicians who have called on him to infuse his undeniable New Orleans groove to their music. His music has taken him on the road, touring extensively, playing the most noteworthy clubs and festivals.

Aron has been fortunate enough to play with Stevie Wonder, Art Neville, Cyril Neville, George Porter jr., Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Lee Oscar, Kirk Joseph, Ben Jaffe, Anders Osborn, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Rev. John Wilkins, Jeff Coffin, Papa Mali, Lucien Barbarin, Wendell Brunious, Greg Stafford, Trombone Shorty, Big Sam Williams, Jeff Watkins, Joe Krown, CR Gruver and many other amazing musicians.