Brass Band Parade Series Kicks Off

It's an old New Orleans tradition but, for many years, it was hidden from the world. Brass bands and second-line marchers have paraded in the African American neighborhoods of New Orleans since the late 19th century but the city's Caucasian population rarely got to see these events or share the experience. In recent years, however, the popularity of brass bands and "second-lining" has mushroomed and now even visitors to the city can share the experience.

On Friday, August 17, at 5:30 p.m., a new tradition kicks off with the French Quarter Brass Band Series - 2007. Every Friday evening through September 21, will feature a free brass band parade. It will start at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel in the 700 block of Orleans Street, march along 20 blocks of the French Quarter, and pick up "second-liners" along the way. The parade will end an hour later at the steps of the Louisiana Supreme Court Building in the 400 block of Royal Street where the musicians will play a Brass Band concert. (A marching route map accompanies this article, so you can find the most convenient location to view the parade.)

Visitors and locals alike are invited to come out and see this happy, joyous event and even participate in the "second-line." For the uninitiated, a "second line" is a group of paraders following the brass band (which is the "first line") who dance while they walk and wave white handkerchiefs in the air. The tradition originated during funerals for African Americans in the Black communities of New Orleans. A jazz funeral, featuring a brass band, would accompany the coffin and the mourners, and it was intended to celebrate the life of the deceased and his or her passage into the Afterlife. Jazz funerals and second-line parades are a unique New Orleans tradition found nowhere else in the world. It continues to this day, enjoying wider exposure than ever.

A brass band is typically made up of horns such as a trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and tuba plus drums and other percussion instruments. The brass band tradition represents one of the earliest forms of the most celebrated music to originate in New Orleans - Jazz. Its popularity continues to the present with new brass bands being formed on a regular basis. The schedule for the remaining Friday evening events in French Quarter Brass Band Series 2007 is as follows:

• August 24 - Storyville Stompers
• August 31 - Pin Stripe Brass Band
• September 7 - Treme Brass Band
• September 14 - Bone Tone Brass Band
• September 21 - Algiers Brass Band

The French Quarter Brass Band Series 2007 is made possible through the generous support of its main sponsors: The Darryl Berger Companies, The Joe Jaeger Companies, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation , SDT and The Glazer Companies. Co-sponsors include Budweiser, Kern Sculpture, The Royal Sonesta Hotel and Faux Pas Prints. For more information call Sharon Vaughn, French Quarter Business Association Community Affairs at (504) 908-7337.

by Dean M. Shapiro