Sandra Jaffe

Sandra Smolen Jaffe (March 10, 1938 – December 27, 2021) was an American businesswoman and arts figure. She co-owned and operated Preservation Hall, a popular jazz club in New Orleans, beginning in 1961.

Early life and education Jaffe was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Jacob "Jack" Smolen and Lena Kaplan Smolen. She graduated from Harcum College in 1958.

Career Jaffe worked in advertising in Philadelphia for a few years before she married. She booked the "real, old-time New Orleans jazz performers" including Billie Pierce, De De Pierce, Sweet Emma Barrett, Alcide Pavageau, and Percy Humphrey. She also handled the bookkeeping, publicity, and press correspondence, The Jaffes' policy of racial integration in the early 1960s meant that she was arrested at least once for violating local segregation laws.

In 1987, the Jaffes donated a building in the French Quarter to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, for a music school. In 1993, she retired from running the jazz club, and left it to her son Ben Jaffe's management. In 2006 Jaffe accepted a National Medal of Arts award on behalf of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Personal life She married Allan Jaffe in December 1960. They had two sons, Russell and Ben. Her husband died in 1987,