![]() ![]() Jazz funerals have traditionally been the reserve of musicians or well-known figures in society, paid for by members of social aid. New Orleans jazz funerals unite communities, irrespective of class, colour or background, people come together to revel in the joy of life. It is said that the jubilant sound attracts the second line: strangers and friends, young and old, rich and poor, tourists in causal dress and relatives attired in formal mourning wear. With the official proceedings over, the band leads the procession to the burial site.Ī jazz funeral for a New Orleans musician (Picture: Tyrone Turner/National Geographic/Getty) ![]() Once the family wake comes to an end, the band accompanies the family to the funeral service – together, they are known as ‘the first line’. Modern jazz funerals have a strictly defined structure. ![]() He recalled a funeral that began with mourners wailing loudly and ended with calamitous laughter.īy 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. One of the earliest accounts of what we now consider a New Orleans jazz funeral came from architect Benjamin Latrobe. They were meant to help the deceased make the transition from earth to heaven and were not dissimilar from the Haitian Voodoo idea of celebrating after death in order to please the spirits. The west African tribal traditions of rejoicing at death through music, drums and chants travelled with the slaves who found themselves forced into servitude in the area. The city was also considered central to the domestic slave trade that was thriving in 1808. Colononised by the French, Spanish and British in turn, military brass bands were commandeered to play at all sorts of official occasions and attended funerals throughout the 19th century. Louisiana has a rich and fascinating history. V8.Influenced by everything from African tribal funeral rites to French militarism, New Orleans’ jazz funerals represent a totally different approach to death than what us Brits are used to. (1989) “Coping with Words and Songs: The New Orleans Jazz Funeral.” Literature and Medicine. (2005)” Jazz Funeral: A Living Tradition”. They put the fun back into funeral.Ĭoclanis, A. The joyous form of Jazz funerals shows a different take on the somber American funerals. This form of celebration has been adapted by other parts of the country due to migration and adaption of this tradition. While performance of this ritual has diminished, its popularity still exists. The cost of a Jazz funeral is high given the need of the theatrics. A reason for this is the expense that it takes to perform this ritual. While Jazz Funerals are a tradition, recently they are have become less common. The formal portion of the funeral follows the death rituals of the Christian religion. As with everything about the funeral the rejoicing is done at specific moments and is not impromptu or undignified. In addition to the spirted display, individuals follow the Christian traditional practice of crying at the birth and rejoicing at death. As part of the march the band and the second line strut and swing their bodies corresponding with the music creating a spectacle. When the service is completed the brass band and the second-line rejoin the body for the march to the burial site. After the wake the brass band accompanies the body on its way to the church for the funeral service followed by the second-line. Typically, before the funeral service there is a wake, of which the family and friends congregate before the service. These aspects transform a sober time into one of celebration. People can be dressed in costumes inspired by iconic figures with in the African American Carnival life. The Jazz funeral generally consists of a brass band playing songs such as “When the Saints Go Marching In.” In addition to the brass band, the “second-line” parades behind the bass band consisting of friends and family marching from the church to the burial site. This tradition became popular in the late 1800s, early 1900s. The performance of Jazz Funerals is unique to New Orleans, specifically among the African American community. Jazz funerals are used to celebrate the life of the lost community member in a fun spirted manner. The spectacle display is also seen in their funeral practices. New Orleans is well known for its spectacle and pageantry of civic ritual, represented in festivals like Mardi Gras. ![]()
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