New Orleans’ tradition of jazz funerals evolved out of cathartic celebrations of life that were once common in many cultures, including among West Africans and Europeans who arrived in New Orleans in the 18th and 19th centuries. Before the Civil War, brass bands were immensely popular in New Orleans, and they were hired to play music at funerals for both black and white residents.
In a city plagued annually by epidemics of yellow fever, cholera and other diseases, the gigs offered steady employment.
By the early 20th century, as jazz was developing in the saloons and music halls of the city, it was becoming rare to hear music at funerals for white residents, but among black New Orleanians the tradition continued. Louis Armstrong was among the jazz pioneers who brought the new sound to funerals.
The jazz musicians played mournful dirges on the way to the burial, adopting gospel hymns such as “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” “I’ll Fly Away” or “When the Saints Go Marching In.” After the dead were laid to rest, the band would strike up a lively tune such as “Didn’t He Ramble,” and the procession would become a celebratory parade, with the musicians, family and close friends of the deceased trailed by other participants, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, constituting the second-line.
As processions became more elaborate, the musicians adopted a dress code still de rigeur among many marching brass bands: dark caps and pants, and white shirts with ties.
As jazz itself became more famous around the world, the funeral tradition became more widely known and more common. Jazz funerals were once associated with celebrated musicians or club members, but they are now called to celebrate the life of Carnival dignitaries and schools and even to mark the conclusion of a season by the Saints.