Rejoice When You Die: The New Orleans Jazz Funerals

By Vernal Bagneris

New Orleans jazz funerals have always been a rich cultural phenomenon, revealing the passions and philosophies of the living as well as the departed. In this powerful collection of almost three hundred curiously timeless black-and-white photographs of jazz funerals, selected from many taken between 1968 and 1970, Leo Touchet captures the unique spirit of these fabulous send-offs, showing them to be a vibrant tribute to life and to death itself.Touchet's photographs freeze-frame several funerals, including those of musicians George Lewis, Alcide Slowdrag Pavageau, and Paul T-Boy Barbarin, and social club member Leon Nooney-Boy Shelly. His camera catches the reactions of the spectators, who, drawn by music or curiosity, form a supporting cast and sometimes number in the thousands. Black, white, young, old, they gather on the doorsteps and aboveground tombs of New Orleans to vicariously sample the event. Readers can now join the spectators as Touchet trains his lens on the processions to the church, the elaborately decorated caskets, and the solemn musicians who lead these open, slow-stepping demonstrations of an abiding faith in God and his judgment.After the burial, the marchers' reserved mood becomes emotion unleashed as they affirm life and death through upbeat dance and music. Touchet vividly captures the feverish energy of the second lines, revelers who follow the mourners and bands and dance through the streets to lead the deceased's soul home.Playwright and actor Vernel Bagneris provide the accompanying text, a dramatic rendition song lyrics and comments, including imagined observations from the honoree himself. An introduction by noted jazz musician and teacherEllis Marsalis provides an informative background to the tradition and the music.Rejoice When You Die documents the lively history of jazz funerals in the heyday of the late 1960s, when they were still an honor bestowed only on jazz musicians. Even more important, it is a vivid tribute to the timeless sadness and dignity, the pride and humility, the stillness and motion, and the silence and music of this fascinating cultural ceremony.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807123110
• ISBN13: 9780807123119
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 2.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 9.4" x 9.9"