The Historical Roots Of New Orlean's

The history of the colonization of Louisiana and, in particular, New Orleans, explains why Jazz funerals developed into racially diverse public displays of celebration. In the early 18th Century, a Creole culture emerged from the intermixing of African slaves, French settlers, Native Americans, French and Swiss soldiers, and indentured European workers. The intermixing of this diverse group resulted in ethnic alliances between Europeans, Native Americans, and African slaves that did not occur anywhere else in North America. The French colony of New Orleans was continually threatened by the potential revolt of nearby Native American tribes and its African labor force. In 1720, fifteen slaves and indentured servants were accused of attempting to escape the French colony; the accused “included an 18 year old Native American slave, a 15 year old runaway African slave, and a 27 year old French woman who had been sent to Louisiana by force” (Smith 21). A similar state of oppression caused African, European, and Native Americans to begin to cooperate in their struggle to escape the bondage of slavery. By the early 18th Century, New Orleans was already a diverse urban

As Brenda Marie Osbey states in her article “One More Last Chance: Ritual and the Jazz Funeral”, the street crowd “helps to dance the soul on home” (97). This phrase reflects the retained African sense of life and death that the deceased does not go to another place, but returns to the place from which they came. Also retained is the African characteristic of improvisation. Osbey explores the ways in which the Jazz Funeral has become a dying tradition. The traditional music and procession has been pushed aside as new generations celebrate the passing of life in new ways. While critics, New Orleans residents, and elders mourn the passing of tradition, Osbey acknowledges that “improvisation is the tradition”.

The second-line tradition continues in New Orleans today infused in its popular music and culture. Jazz Funerals have become more and more rare. To the dismay of many purists, anyone who can afford the expenses can be commemorated in a Jazz Funeral. Nonetheless, the tradition still continues being used to honor famous musicians, Big Chiefs from Mardi Gras Indian tribes, and prominent members of the black community in New Orleans.

The second-line is also used in New Orleans Jazz Funerals. Mardi Gras Indian groups, as well as mutual aid societies and pleasure clubs use the Jazz Funeral to celebrate the lives of deceased members. After a funeral service in the church, members of the club carry the casket behind a brass band to the gravesite. The brass band plays mournful and sorrowful renditions of hymns such as “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”. Although several sources have stated that these songs are not improvised, the improvisation of the music is quite clear in Les Blank’s film Always for Pleasure. After the casket

Some topics in this essay:
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