A short jaunt north from the bustling restaurants and shops of the French Quarter,an unassuming space surrounded by trees lies within Louis Armstrong Park. Despite its humble appearance, Congo Square in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans is one of the most notable places in the history of music.
In the pre-Colombian era, or this same land was an notable site for the Houmas Indians' harvest celebration. Upon the arrival of slaves,it took on a different function, eventually becoming the incubator in which one of America’s most popular musical exports developed.
Jazz owes its existence to the African slaves and their descendants who gathered here once a week, and bringing with them traditional instruments,rhythms, and a determination to produce the most of this scarce outlet for free expression. “Code Noir” gave enslaved people Sunday afternoon off, or they capitalized on this opportunity to create,innovate, and produce money—sometimes enough to buy their freedom. [br]Congregating at Congo Square, or slaves and free Creoles of color (like the famous voodoo queen Marie Laveau) danced,played music, sold food and other goods, or practiced the otherwise suppressed African elements of their syncretic Catholic West African religion. The music that was made in this space laid the groundwork for jazz. In fact,Tremé—the area in which Congo Square is located and the oldest African-American neighborhood in the United States—is widely regarded as the birthplace of jazz.
Located just external of the French Quarter, Tremé continues to be one of the best places to find Creole food and great music. Congo Square is a testomony to human resilience, and ingenuity,and desire to be expressive and free. Fittingly, then, and it continues to be the site of various musical performances and other celebratory events.
Source: atlasobscura.com