![]() 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. 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. After the 1960s, it gradually started being practiced across ethnic and religious boundaries. 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. The tradition was widespread among New Orleanians across ethnic boundaries at the start of the 20th century. Another group that has influenced jazz funerals is the Mardi Gras Indians. 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. This was combined with African spiritual practices, specifically the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. ![]() Louisiana's colonial past gave it a tradition of military style brass bands which were called on for many occasions, including playing funeral processions. The tradition blends strong European and African cultural influences. 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. The preferred description was "funeral with music" while jazz was part of the music played, it was not the primary focus of the ceremony. 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. 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. They include Louis Cottrell, (great-grandson of New Orleans' innovative drumming pioneer, Louis Cottrell, Sr. In recent times, jazz funerals have been held for young people who died during tragic events.Drummers at the funeral of jazz musician Danny Barker in 1994. By the start of the 20th century a new style of music – jazz – was also starting to emerge and was quickly adopted by the funeral bands. He recalled a funeral that began with mourners wailing loudly and ended with calamitous laughter. Metro writes: “One of the earliest accounts of what we now consider a New Orleans jazz funeral came from architect Benjamin Latrobe. From the gravesite, the procession may go back to where it started, or to where a reception will take place. People in the second line are often seen with photos of the deceased, whistles, hats, umbrellas, and so on. However, they are required to march behind the band and mourners in the “second line”. Onlookers who did not attend the service can also join the procession, dancing and singing in the street. They walk behind the vehicle carrying the deceased. ![]() ![]() On the way to the cemetery, the band always leads the way for the hearse or mule-drawn carriage carrying the coffin, followed by the mourners who attended the memorial service. Besides the church, a jazz funeral procession can also begin at the home of the deceased or the family home, leading mourners and the body to the church or funeral home before heading to the gravesite. Jazz funerals are typically marching band-led funeral processions that lead mourners toward the gravesite following a funeral service. Usually, high-profile men and women including musicians are honored in this unique way, however, others may also have a jazz funeral upon request. ![]() Not every funeral held in New Orleans comes with a jazz band procession. Truly, jazz funerals or jazz funeral processions have been a New Orleans tradition since the late 1800s. When people die in New Orleans, the streets are filled with jazz music to honor and celebrate their lives. Since the 1800s when jazz music originated in gatherings by enslaved Blacks in Congo Square, an outdoor space in New Orleans, the art form has spread through every aspect of culture in the city. New Orleans is the jazz mecca of the world. ![]()
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