NOLA JAZZ FUNERALS

On the streets of New Orleans, it’s not uncommon to see funeral processions followed by boisterous jazz music and dancing. Unique to the city, these Jazz Funerals celebrate the life of the deceased in a spirited manner. Traditional New Orleans funerals were arranged to celebrate Black musicians around the 1800s, and since then, have become more popular. They combine aspects of African, French and early American funeral processions with a large jazz band. Their origins are credited to the practice of Ring Shouts performed by enslaved Black people where they would dance and clap in a circle during or after a Christian worship service. Jazz music started during the Harlem Revolution, the intellectual, cultural movement of African American culture. Jazz incorporates a large diversity of genres and music ranges making it very difficult to define. It has evolved dramatically since its origin and has created many subgenres, influencing many other types of music like rock, R&B and hip-hop. Jazz Funerals often feature a first line, the percussion, brass band and a second line made up of mourners. Standard instruments played in the first line are trumpets, tubas, trombones and saxophones. While called mourners, the mood in the second line is anything but grim. “I come from the era when you’re in your house and you hear music and you go ‘Second line!’ and you run outside,” Ausettua Amor, artistic director of Kumbuka African Drum, says. COVID-19 saw many Jazz Funerals shut down. With about 18,136 deaths due to the pandemic in New Orleans, many were unable to celebrate the passing of loved ones with the customary music and dance. During such a difficult time, the loss of one of the city’s most vibrant influences was detrimental to many. “You can trace the impact of the health crisis in New Orleans by the silence of the city – no brass bands, no funerals, no church services happening,” says Matt Sakakeeny, Tulane University ethnomusicologist. The pandemic highlighted the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black communities in Louisiana with 70 percent of COVID-19 related deaths at the start of the pandemic being Black despite the demographic only making up 32 percent of the state’s population. With the loss of many great musicians, the city opted to postpone its Jazz Funerals until recently. Famous jazz musician Ellis Marsalis passed away in April 2020 and got his well-earned Jazz Funeral two years later at the music school he established, Ninth Ward. Jazz Funerals have existed for a long time, and just like the music they feature, will continue to change as time continues. They are a testament to New Orleans values of culture and community and are a final celebration for the passing of loved ones.

Jazz Funerals

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ANIKA SRINIVASAN , staff writer