Jazz funeral

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A jazz funeral is a funeral procession accompanied by a brass band, in the tradition of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Louis Cottrell, Jr.) of the Young Tuxedo Brass Band
, far right; Louis "Bicycle Lewie" Lederman of the Down & Dirty Brass band, second from right.

History

The term "jazz funeral" was long in use by observers from elsewhere, but was generally disdained as inappropriate by most New Orleans musicians and practitioners of the tradition.

New Orleans jazz.[citation needed
]

The tradition blends strong European and African cultural influences. Louisiana's colonial past gave it a tradition of military style brass bands which were called on for many occasions, including playing funeral processions.[4] This was combined with African spiritual practices, specifically the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.[citation needed] Jazz funerals are also heavily influenced by early twentieth century Protestant and Catholic churches, black brass bands, and the idea of celebrating after death in order to please the spirits who protect the dead.[citation needed] Another group that has influenced jazz funerals is the Mardi Gras Indians.[5]

The tradition was widespread among New Orleanians across ethnic boundaries at the start of the 20th century. As the common brass band music became wilder in the years before

Carnival krewes who make a point of arranging for such funerals for members. Although the majority of jazz funerals are for African American musicians there has been a new trend in which jazz funerals are given to young people who have died.[6]

The organizers of the funeral arrange for hiring the band as part of the services. When a respected fellow musician or prominent member of the community dies, some additional musicians may also play in the procession as a sign of their esteem for the deceased.[7] In more recent times anyone can request a Jazz funeral, but the musician route is still the most commonly seen today.

A typical jazz funeral begins with a march by the family, friends, and a

spiritual number played in a swinging fashion, then going into popular hot tunes. There is raucous music and cathartic dancing where onlookers join in to celebrate the life of the deceased. Those who follow the band just to enjoy the music are called the second line, and their style of dancing, in which they walk and sometimes twirl a parasol or handkerchief in the air, is called second lining.[8]

Some typical pieces often played at jazz funerals are the slow, and somber song "

Just a Closer Walk With Thee". The later more upbeat tunes frequently include "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Oh, Didn't He Ramble".[9]

Musicians play for a funeral leaving St. Augustine Church in the Tremé neighborhood; Michael White in foreground.

In popular culture

The Cincinnati Kid (1965), which takes place in New Orleans, begins with a jazz funeral in which the song "Oh, Didn't He Ramble" is played.

In the James Bond film Live and Let Die (1973), an early scene showed a secret agent being murdered under cover of a jazz funeral.[10]

The 2010 HBO TV series Treme frequently featured jazz funerals as part of its depiction of the New Orleans musical landscape.

The Originals TV series, a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, which started in 2013 and ran for 5 seasons, frequently featured a form of jazz funerals whenever prominent characters died. Unlike true jazz funerals which went from a home, funeral home, or church to the cemetery, the jazz funerals in The Originals were always in the French Quarter Square. They also mostly showcased only the lively music portion and not the somber. Some of the characters who had a jazz funeral in this series were Father Kieran, Camille, and Haley.

There is a 2014 movie called The Jazz Funeral starring James Morrison and Bobby Campo.

Legacies, a 2018 4-season spin-off of The Originals, also featured a jazz funeral for the main character's father, Klaus Michaelson, in the 4th season, who had died in The Originals series finale years earlier (both in real time and in series time).

In the 2023 Disney film Haunted Mansion, a jazz funeral takes place on the streets of New Orleans in which an original song called "His Soul Left Gloss on the Rose" is performed by The Soul Rebels.

Jazz funeral was one of the inspirations behind a funeral scene in the episode Rix Road in the 2023 Disney+ television series Andor.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Why is a Jazz Funeral NOT a Jazz Funeral". YouTube.
  2. ^ "New Orleans: The History of Jazz Funerals". 24 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Jazz Funerals: A New Orleans Goodbye".
  4. ^ Stewart, 2004
  5. ^ Turner, 89
  6. ^ Sakakeeny, 2011
  7. ^ a b "Jazz Funerals", 2004
  8. ^ Spitzer, "Rebuilding the Land of Dreams – Part 7"
  9. ^ New Orleans Online, "The Jazz Funeral"
  10. ^ "June 27: 45 years ago, 'Live and Let Die' brought James Bond to New Orleans | Movies/TV | nola.com".
  11. ^ "Andor Season 2, Post-Credits Scene Teased by Tony Gilroy – The Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. 2022-11-23. Archived from the original on 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2023-09-13.

Further reading

  • "Funerals with Music in New Orleans", Dr. Jack Stewart, Save Our Cemeteries, Incorporated, & J. Stewart, New Orleans, 2004
  • Turner, Richard Brent. Jazz Religion, the Second Line, and Black New Orleans. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 2009. Print.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jazz funerals.
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