Jazz funeral: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 03:46, 7 November 2024

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

Drummers at the funeral of jazz musician Danny Barker in 1994. They include Louis Cottrell, (great-grandson of New Orleans' innovative drumming pioneer, Louis Cottrell, Sr. and grandson of New Orleans clarinetist 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.^[1] The preferred description was "funeral with music"; while jazz was part of the music played, it was not the primary focus of the ceremony.^[2]^[3] This reluctance to use the term faded significantly in the final 15 years or so of the 20th century among the younger generation of New Orleans brass band musicians more familiar with the post-Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Soul Rebels Brass Band funk influenced style than the older traditional 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.^[5]^[6]^[7] 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 are the Mardi Gras Indians.^[8]^[9]^[10]

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 World War I, some white New Orleanians considered the hot music disrespectful, and such musical funerals became rare among the city's white citizens. After the 1960s, it gradually started being practiced across ethnic and religious boundaries. Most commonly such musical funerals are done for individuals who are musicians themselves, connected to the music industry, or members of various social aid and pleasure clubs or 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.^[11]

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.^[12] 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 brass band from the home, funeral home, or church to the cemetery. During the funeral march, onlookers have been known to join in with the festivities of the passing of life. Throughout the march, the band plays somber dirges and hymns.^[12] A change in the tenor of the ceremony takes place, after either the deceased is entombed, or the hearse leaves the procession and members of the procession say their final goodbye and they "cut the body loose". After this the music becomes more upbeat, often starting with a hymn or 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.^[13]

Some typical pieces often played at jazz funerals are the slow, and somber song "Nearer My God to Thee" and such spirituals as "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".^[14]

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.^[15]

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

The Originals, 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.

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.^[16]

References

^ "Why is a Jazz Funeral NOT a Jazz Funeral". YouTube. 17 October 2018.
^ "New Orleans: The History of Jazz Funerals". 24 December 2016.
^ "Jazz Funerals: A New Orleans Goodbye".
^ Stewart, 2004
^ Smith, Michael (1994). Mardi Gras Indians. Arcadia Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 9781455624652.
^ "Mardi Gras Indians". 1994. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
^ Van de Leur, Walter (2023). Jazz and Death: Reception, Rituals, and Representations. New York, NY: Routledge. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-138-55341-5.
^ Smith, Michael (1994). Mardi Gras Indians. Arcadia Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 9781455624652.
^ "Mardi Gras Indians". 1994. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
^ Turner, 89
^ Sakakeeny, 2011
^ ^a ^b "Jazz Funerals", 2004
^ Spitzer, "Rebuilding the Land of Dreams – Part 7"
^ New Orleans Online, "The Jazz Funeral"
^ "June 27: 45 years ago, 'Live and Let Die' brought James Bond to New Orleans | Movies/TV | nola.com". 27 June 2018.
^ "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.

External links

The Jazz Funeral　at New Orleans Online
Let Me Do My Thang: Rebirth Brass Band – a documentary filmed and edited by Keith Reynaud, Jr.]
Nick Spitzer, "Rebuilding the 'Land of Dreams:' Expressive Culture and New Orleans' Authentic Future" Southern Spaces 29 August 2006 http://southernspaces.org/2006/rebuilding-land-dreams-expressive-culture-and-new-orleans-authentic-future
Nick Spitzer, "Love and Death at Second Line" Southern Spaces, 20 February 2004. http://southernspaces.org/2004/love-and-death-second-line
"Jazz Funerals", Religion & Ethics Newsweekly no. 722 (Jan. 30, 2004) Archived 2013-03-10 at the Wayback Machine
Jazz Funeral of Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen, January 18, 2004
Sakakeeny, Matt. "Jazz Funerals and Second Line Parades" KnowLA Encyclopedia of Louisiana. Ed. Joyce Miller. 25 Mar. 2012.
The Journal of Latrobe, p. 191. Description of a New Orleans funeral c. 1820.

[1] "Why is a Jazz Funeral NOT a Jazz Funeral". YouTube. 17 October 2018.

[2] "New Orleans: The History of Jazz Funerals". 24 December 2016.

[3] "Jazz Funerals: A New Orleans Goodbye".

[4] Stewart, 2004

[5] Smith, Michael (1994). Mardi Gras Indians. Arcadia Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 9781455624652.

[6] "Mardi Gras Indians". 1994. Retrieved 29 September 2024.

[7] Van de Leur, Walter (2023). Jazz and Death: Reception, Rituals, and Representations. New York, NY: Routledge. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-138-55341-5.

[8] Smith, Michael (1994). Mardi Gras Indians. Arcadia Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 9781455624652.

[9] "Mardi Gras Indians". 1994. Retrieved 29 September 2024.

[10] Turner, 89

[11] Sakakeeny, 2011

[jfun-12] "Jazz Funerals", 2004

[13] Spitzer, "Rebuilding the Land of Dreams – Part 7"

[14] New Orleans Online, "The Jazz Funeral"

[15] "June 27: 45 years ago, 'Live and Let Die' brought James Bond to New Orleans | Movies/TV | nola.com". 27 June 2018.

[16] "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.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ==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. <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKrTJXQouzo]</ref>  The preferred description was "funeral with music"; while [[jazz]] was part of the music played, it was not the primary focus of the ceremony.{{cn}} This reluctance to use the term faded significantly in the final 15&nbsp;years or so of the 20th century among the younger generation of New Orleans brass band musicians more familiar with the post-[[Dirty Dozen Brass Band]] and [[Soul Rebels Brass Band]] [[funk]] influenced style than the older [[trad jazz|traditional]] [[Dixieland|New Orleans jazz]].{{cn}}
+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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKrTJXQouzo | title=Why is a Jazz Funeral NOT a Jazz Funeral | website=[[YouTube]] | date=17 October 2018 }}</ref>  The preferred description was "funeral with music"; while [[jazz]] was part of the music played, it was not the primary focus of the ceremony.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.silkstreetjazz.co.uk/new-orleans-history-jazz-funerals/ | title=New Orleans: The History of Jazz Funerals | date=24 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://beyondthedash.com/blog/cultural-spotlight/jazz-funerals-a-new-orleans-goodbye/7363 | title=Jazz Funerals: A New Orleans Goodbye }}</ref> This reluctance to use the term faded significantly in the final 15&nbsp;years or so of the 20th century among the younger generation of New Orleans brass band musicians more familiar with the post-[[Dirty Dozen Brass Band]] and [[Soul Rebels Brass Band]] [[funk]] influenced style than the older [[trad jazz|traditional]] [[Dixieland|New Orleans jazz]].{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
-The tradition blends strong European and African cultural influences. [[History of Louisiana|Louisiana's colonial past]] gave it a tradition of military style brass bands which were called on for many occasions, including playing funeral processions.<ref>Stewart, 2004</ref> This was combined with African spiritual practices, specifically the [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] tribe of [[Nigeria]] and other parts of [[West Africa]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} 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|date=November 2021}} Another group that has influenced jazz funerals is the [[Mardi Gras Indians]].<ref>Turner, 89</ref>
+The tradition blends strong European and African cultural influences. [[History of Louisiana|Louisiana's colonial past]] gave it a tradition of military style brass bands which were called on for many occasions, including playing funeral processions.<ref>Stewart, 2004</ref> This was combined with African spiritual practices, specifically the [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] tribe of [[Nigeria]] and other parts of [[West Africa]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Michael |title=Mardi Gras Indians |date=1994 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=9781455624652 |page=17 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FtKUInmni0UC&q=mardi+gras+indians+spirituality}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mardi Gras Indians |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42453589-mardi-gras-indians |website=1994 |access-date=29 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Van de Leur |first=Walter |title=Jazz and Death: Reception, Rituals, and Representations |publisher=Routledge |year=2023 |isbn=978-1-138-55341-5 |location=New York, NY |publication-date=2023 |pages=26}}</ref> 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|date=November 2021}} Another group that has influenced jazz funerals are the [[Mardi Gras Indians]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Michael |title=Mardi Gras Indians |date=1994 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=9781455624652 |page=17 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FtKUInmni0UC&q=mardi+gras+indians+spirituality}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mardi Gras Indians |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42453589-mardi-gras-indians |website=1994 |access-date=29 September 2024}}</ref><ref>Turner, 89</ref>
-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 [[World War I]], some white New Orleanians considered the hot music disrespectful, and such musical funerals became rare among the city's white citizens. After the 1960s, it gradually started being practised across ethnic and religious boundaries. Most commonly such musical funerals are done for individuals who are musicians themselves, connected to the music industry, or members of various social aid and pleasure clubs or [[New Orleans Mardi Gras|Carnival]] [[krewe]]s 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.<ref>Sakakeeny, 2011</ref>
+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 [[World War I]], some white New Orleanians considered the hot music disrespectful, and such musical funerals became rare among the city's white citizens. After the 1960s, it gradually started being practiced across ethnic and religious boundaries. Most commonly such musical funerals are done for individuals who are musicians themselves, connected to the music industry, or members of various social aid and pleasure clubs or [[New Orleans Mardi Gras|Carnival]] [[krewe]]s 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.<ref>Sakakeeny, 2011</ref>
-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.<ref name=jfun>"Jazz Funerals", 2004</ref>
+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.<ref name=jfun>"Jazz Funerals", 2004</ref> 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 [[brass band]] from the home, funeral home or church to the cemetery. Throughout the march, the band plays somber dirges and hymns.<ref name=jfun/> A change in the tenor of the ceremony takes place, after either the deceased is entombed, or the hearse leaves the procession and members of the procession say their final goodbye and they "cut the body loose". After this the music becomes more upbeat, often starting with a hymn or [[spiritual (music)|spiritual number]] played in a [[swing (jazz performance style)|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 (parades)|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.<ref>Spitzer, "Rebuilding the Land of Dreams-Part 7"</ref>
+A typical jazz funeral begins with a march by the family, friends, and a [[brass band]] from the home, funeral home, or church to the cemetery. During the funeral march, onlookers have been known to join in with the festivities of the passing of life. Throughout the march, the band plays somber dirges and hymns.<ref name=jfun/> A change in the tenor of the ceremony takes place, after either the deceased is entombed, or the hearse leaves the procession and members of the procession say their final goodbye and they "cut the body loose". After this the music becomes more upbeat, often starting with a hymn or [[spiritual (music)|spiritual number]] played in a [[swing (jazz performance style)|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 (parades)|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.<ref>Spitzer, "Rebuilding the Land of Dreams – Part 7"</ref>
 Some typical pieces often played at jazz funerals are the slow, and somber song "[[Nearer My God to Thee]]" and such spirituals as "[[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]]".<ref>New Orleans Online, "The Jazz Funeral"</ref>
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 ==In popular culture==
-''[[The Cincinnati Kid]]'' (1965), which takes place in New Orleans, begins with a jazz funeral.
+''[[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 (film)|Live and Let Die]]'' (1973), an early scene showed a secret agent being murdered under cover of a jazz funeral.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/article_ce534f4d-c305-5342-a722-095306393dca.html| title = June 27: 45 years ago, 'Live and Let Die' brought James Bond to New Orleans {{!}} Movies/TV {{!}} nola.com}} </ref>
+In the [[James Bond]] film ''[[Live and Let Die (film)|Live and Let Die]]'' (1973), an early scene showed a secret agent being murdered under cover of a jazz funeral.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/article_ce534f4d-c305-5342-a722-095306393dca.html| title = June 27: 45 years ago, 'Live and Let Die' brought James Bond to New Orleans {{!}} Movies/TV {{!}} nola.com| date = 27 June 2018}}</ref>
+The 2010 [[HBO]] TV series ''[[Treme (TV series)|Treme]]'' frequently featured jazz funerals as part of its depiction of the New Orleans musical landscape.
+''[[The Originals (TV series)|The Originals]]'', 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.
+''[[Legacies (TV series)|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 [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney]] film ''[[Haunted Mansion (2023 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 (TV series)|Andor]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-23 |title=Andor Season 2, Post-Credits Scene Teased by Tony Gilroy – The Hollywood Reporter |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/andor-season-2-post-credits-scene-tony-gilroy-1235268962/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123185515/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/andor-season-2-post-credits-scene-tony-gilroy-1235268962/ |archive-date=2022-11-23 }}</ref>
 == See also ==
-* [[Month's Mind]]
-* [[Historic Cemeteries of New Orleans]]
 * [[Dancing Pallbearers]]
+* [[Historic Cemeteries of New Orleans]]
+* [[List of cemeteries in Louisiana]]
+* [[Month's Mind]], requiem mass played a month after death
 ==References==
@@ Line 43: / Line 54: @@
 * Nick Spitzer, [http://southernspaces.org/2006/rebuilding-land-dreams-expressive-culture-and-new-orleans-authentic-future "Rebuilding the 'Land of Dreams:' Expressive Culture and New Orleans' Authentic Future"] ''Southern Spaces'' 29 August 2006 http://southernspaces.org/2006/rebuilding-land-dreams-expressive-culture-and-new-orleans-authentic-future
 * Nick Spitzer, [http://southernspaces.org/2004/love-and-death-second-line "Love and Death at Second Line"] ''Southern Spaces'', 20 February 2004. http://southernspaces.org/2004/love-and-death-second-line
-* [https://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week722/feature.html "Jazz Funerals", ''Religion & Ethics Newsweekly'' no. 722 (Jan. 30, 2004)]
+* [https://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week722/feature.html "Jazz Funerals", ''Religion & Ethics Newsweekly'' no. 722 (Jan. 30, 2004)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310105003/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week722/feature.html |date=2013-03-10 }}
 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20040215042747/http://www.gumbopages.com/Tuba/ Jazz Funeral of Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen, January 18, 2004]
 * Sakakeeny, Matt. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120118220332/http://www.knowla.org/entry.php?rec=860 "Jazz Funerals and Second Line Parades"] KnowLA Encyclopedia of Louisiana. Ed. Joyce Miller. 25 Mar. 2012.
-*[https://books.google.com/books?id=SgdlcyDRLUYC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false The Journal of Latrobe], p.&nbsp;191.  Description of a New Orleans funeral c. 1820.
+*[https://books.google.com/books?id=SgdlcyDRLUYC The Journal of Latrobe], p.&nbsp;191.  Description of a New Orleans funeral c. 1820.
 {{Louisianarootsmusic}}

Latest revision as of 03:46, 7 November 2024

History

In popular culture

See also

References

Further reading

External links