"In this way, it is a folk music."

Amen. I've had that same opinion for at least 39 years, since I first came to New Orleans. There's a tradition that is passed down player-to-player over the generations, a common/shared repertoire, and a sort of essential feeling of empathy, even unity, with the "audience," or perhaps more basically, with fellow members of the community who may not play instruments but who dance, bang on improvised percussion, and generally participate rather than just sit back and absorb the music.

AND, it's been going on without interruption for well over a century at this point ~ not always in the public eye. Even during periods of neglect by the outside world, the community of local musicians has always carried on this living tradition.