New Orleans Style Funeral Procession
New Orleans style brass band funerals are one of a kind; and I was really glad that Shelby brought in a video for us to watch.
These events remind me of gatherings we went to in Brazil called "sambas"; although the premise is slightly different. Funerals are obviously to celebrate the life of the person who has just died, but sambas are generally just to celebrate our current lives.
Why does a New Orleans style funeral remind me of sambas?
Good question.
Brazilian Street Samba
The sambas are nearly always random groups of musicians who gather together and improvise. The only constant most of the time is the rhythms of the percussion. Percussionists will often play a clave rhythm of 2+3 or 3+2 and the brass/winds will improvise over it. New Orleans style funerals are founded on a tuba bassline and the other instruments improvise over it.
Movement plays a huge role in both events. In American funerals (and sadly, even some American dances!) participants often spend a good deal of time sitting still and listening to music instead of participating. Both in Brazilian sambas and New Orleans style funerals the participants are up and moving their bodies while the music plays.
Thanks for sharing this, Shelby! :)
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