A trumpet blasts a familiar tune; “When the Saints go Marching in.” Casually, a crowd gathers on Royal Street to enjoy the performers’ upbeat music. This melody was heard a few times during a recent trip to New Orleans, and although perhaps cliché, it was one of many welcomed cultural references to the city. Jazz has grown up with New Orleans and contributes to its vibrant and complicated identity. Just like the piercing music from a muted brass horn, architectural details such as the cast iron ornament on a breezy urban balcony offer visual cues that identify culture and “place.” The strong urban fabric, largely of French creole and Spanish colonial architecture, weaves a vibrant and diverse tapestry. Streets defined by modestly scaled commercial townhomes and creole cottages…
