You better second line! Jazz funeral in New Orleans for Juanita Brooks

[PlanetOnePosse]

Great video! You captured this really well.

[WILLIAMCHANEL]

A beautiful tribute.

[Sogwa]

I LOVE jazz music & l find this "home going" tradition very moving & touching! A grand celebration of their life!

I realize the band is playing a slow, heartfelt version of what u just played of her singing.

It's ashamed this culture trains babies as soon as they can that death is horrible. By the time ur 5, ur scared of skeletons & ghosts (comp.s of Halloween), fear death more that other animals seem to, & in some religions, believe once u die, u vanish, disappear, & no longer exist.....

[jonarinarina]

Well this is what I would like when I pass. Joy for the life, not sorrow for death.

[cottoncandychic]

I wish they did funerals like this up in the North, we be crying, screaming, trying to jump in the casket with the person smh...thats why I hate going.

[mrskittkitt]

Loved it! Junaita has a memory living on years later now, too. Doesnt it seem like it should always be this way? The icing on the cake was to see 415 in the area code at the end lol. Whats up neighbor...

[bethzatha1]

ya'll betta second line now...great!

[nolakev17]

in New Orleans when you go home we dont just morn your passing we celebrate your life this is a tradition that goes back to the mid 1800's. this started in black neighborhoods through what we now call social aid and pleasure clubs which were formed to help with funeral expenses. the band plays slow music on the way to the cemetery and plays faster music after the burial. the band and the family of the deceased we call the first line and the people following are called the second line.

[Bob1Mack]

@nolakev17 In part, ( I THINK) this goes back to the British army tradition of slow march to the graveyard, quick march back. ISTR some statement by an old timer that there were a set of slow songs before the interment (Didn't He Ramble was one?) followed by marches on the way back.

We did this after the funeral of a woman that we sorely miss, and (even in a very white, northern, Canadian church!) emotionally it just feels right.

[iamdeznuts1]

they sent maselle off good wii

[noshyosh]

wonderful! funerals should be a celebration of life.

[puritania11]

@noshyosh Amen my friend :) amen indeed

[growtogether]

@noshyosh they should, well said

[Pyhittaa]

Beautiful

[af390]

Magnífico.

[43wella]

I cry every time I see this video...

[TheWarrior831]

who are the two ladies in front (are they part of the band enseble) and why do they keep posing like that? i am intrigued by this activity.

[Ninevah77]

@TheWarrior831

It's traditional but I don't know where it comes from. That 'sideways dance' thing always scares me, though. I'm going to write a horror story based on it because it really, really gives me major creepflesh. I'm sure I'll find out the tradition behind it when I do my research. I'll let you know what I find.

[TheWarrior831]

@Ninevah77 Sweet!! thanks i would really appreciate it. i am doing my architectural thesis project in new orleans and i would like to translate this behavior into architecture. i know what you mean about it being kinda kreepy though. lol. i am really excited to go there in 5 weeks.

[Ninevah77]

@TheWarrior831 Well, a casual search hasn't given me an answer, so I'll have to go deeper. basically, everyone says that they do it because their Daddy did it. I think there might be something I could find within the voodoo tradition, especially about the umbrellas, but I may be wrong. Lucky you, going to NO! I'm soooo envious.

[kagyu1]

That is beautiful...

[MrLeon5000]

i could od sworn i saw dr john

[rollinhard7]

@MrLeon5000 ..you did.

[46619TAB]

From Chicago where we have a boo hoo fest at funerals and don't 'second line'. OMG I WISH we WOULD celebrate the LIFE rather than the mourn the DEATH.

what's the significance of the umbrellas?

what 'job' does the woman with the whistle have, she seems the funeral director?

I stumbled upon this post while researching the culture, food and people etc of New Orleans because I'm visiting soon. From here I found some videos of Ms Jaunita Brooks and fell in love with her and already miss her!

[RAHDAHANDLA66]

LISTEN PLEASE SOMBODY LET ME KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND THE RST OF HER SINGING THIS SONG FROM THE BEGINING OF THE CLIP

[juggalette4lyfefu]

Ive never seen anything so beautiful... wow thank you for sharing.

[vroman58]

I wonder where this tradition comes from? My family is from Mexico and they do this over there too. The band or "tambora" will follow the funeral procession through the streets to the cemetery. What Louisiana and New Orleans specifically share in common with Mexico is Spain. A lot of my customs and traditions are Spanish I wonder if this is one of them? This is why I love New Orleans so much cause I already understand them and know them.

[Alexandreperry]

That's wonderful! Even in death there is life and joy in a funeral!

We, Brazilians, we should at least learn to honor those who have gone with music and not with tears!! Hugs from all Brazilian paras people of New Orleans!

Alexandre Silva - São Paulo / Brazil



[nicktbiz]

Who are those low lifes who had to have their comments removed?

[orangelegions]

@nicktbiz

It doesn't matter, sir. Unlike Juanita, they will be forgotten...

[will23kat]

why do thoes to ladys do the steps of

[will23kat]

@will23kat for my bad

[panamachick2002]

only in nawlins', baby!

[ksmith228]

now that's pretty.

[Obacoomb]

I want a funeral exactly like this... Minus the umbrellas

[Ireone35]

@Obacoomb it aint a second line without da umbrellas

[penguino9]

this gives me tears in my eyes. this is so beautiful and it party's it up like we should for the people we love who pass on. A great way to celebrate a person's life.

[ILuvStAugustineFL]

I'm from the North, but this is the kind of funeral I want!

[streetcarjay]

This is how a funeral should be. No sadness. A real celebration of life. New Orleans really know what it's like to celebrate life.

[DeuceMP2]

This is incredible. What a marvelous way of celebrating someones life and saying goodbye to loved ones. 

[max1941]

Its my last wish too,and my children are aware of it.,neverless in which country I am,.even if at the end they burn me.-

Es mi ultimo deseo y mis hijos lo saben,no importando en que pais me encuentre y si al final,me incineran.-

[shadayafreeman]

LOVE IT! No better way to go!

[atomspies]

that's a send off. you guys are amazing. what a culture! stay strong out there

[Aerohog1]

The funerals are not just for people involved with jazz/music. Was there for the funeral procession of a Zulu coming out of the cathedral. My favorite bartender tipped me off to be there. That man could mix a drink!

[lordkoos]

I love New Orleans

[scversillee]

What an honorable send off.

[phro37]

in reference to the two women who waltzed out alone toward the beginning: are they performing tradional jazz funeral "duties?" the first lady seems to be some kind of march/"parade" organizer/leader while the second almost seems to be the symbolic embodiment of the music, itself. or maybe even of the deceased.

[tupd]

I have never seen such a celebration of life. Juanita, I never 'met' you but somehow I know stumbling across this video is no accident. Many people say they believe that death is a transtion to a better place tongue in cheek. Here not only can I feel that understanding but see its translation.

While one may have passed it is ever clear that her energy lives through so much more. In death her spirit is magnified. We truly are all one.

Thank you Juanita for reminding me =)

[atomspies]

@tupd awww well said.

[unkown40]

Watched this video in my Jazz History class last semester here at UTEP. I did not know much about them before, but now I have a greater understanding about their meaning but also the importance of it. I'm now in a World Music class this semester and we are going look at and discuss Jazz Funerals this Wednesday. For me and a few others its going to be a refresher from last semester's Jazz History class but hopefully provide great insight to those who are unfamiliar with them.

[phro37]

@unkown40 crazy you should mention that. i'm in professor shaheen's class as well. i'm watching this video for the umpteenth time at home. it brought a tear to my eye in class today

[phro37]

@unkown40 crazy you should post on here. i'm in professor shaheen's class, as well. i've always had a fascination with jazz funerals. this video brought a tear to my eye today.

[unkown40]

@phro37 Lol that is crazy. I had her for Jazz History last semester and enjoyed it very much and remembering seeing this same video on Juanita Brooks. It is very moving. Funny, I was wondering if she would have noticed my comment from this video on Wednesday but now I'm glad she didn't since my cover might have been blown. :P

[nInAg114]

I love this. If you truly believe in God then when you die, you have thaT short time to grieve, then its a whole lot of happy because you got to go to Jesus in that most perfect peace and love.

[amd77j]

A beautiful cultural expression of love and respect.

[moderadonna]

WHO was that lady singing in the introduction? Was that Juanita Brooks? What a voice....

[ifxurhorse]

It is also dancing & singing & moving the blues away from losing someone you love. Dancing them into Heaven!

[dandarkwing]

I'm under the impression that the name comes from the first line being the coffin, the second is the band!

[drummerlead]

Not only celebrating the dead person's life, but the traditonal second line processional is done to also celebrate the fact that the person has gone to a better world and a much better afterlife. Traditionally, the band does a slow tune, just as you saw when they were leaving the church, and then do a somber rim tap at the cemetery, then after leaving church and cemetery they kick it up into some uptune to celebrate the better life! "Just A LIttle While To Stay Here" is the tune at the end.

[mostbauernkurti]

can anyone give me the name of the song played before this wonderful funeral part and can i find it on youtube?

thanky you!

[Jazzbonick]

When I die, you better second line, did she sing that. I have it on one of Kermit's cds

This is no doubt the best New orleans funeral movie . The music is clear and the photography is great. Juanita would be proud.

[natgeo72]

I'm not religious, but this moved me profoundly. Thank you so much for sharing.

[uptboi31]

such a respectful and dignified send off.... Beautiful

[shaneu1]

This one is the "real thing," the way I remember the ones I saw during my wonderful New Orleans years.

[yadramamama]

thank you for sharing this beautiful memorial.

[strgazermel]

This is a stupid question to ask but is this typically a funeral style in N.O. in the African American community? Do white people in N.O. do this as well? Be nice I'm just curious.  BTW I think this is a great way to do a funeral.

[cajunrae08]

@strgazermel It depends on the family. I know in my family we have a large gathering of drinking and laughter and fun to remember the good times and to help us cope. No one want to remember their loved on as a corpse so celebrating the funeral afterward is completely normal and healing. A funeral isn't to mourn but to celebrate that person's life and their entering into a better one

[strgazermel]

@cajunrae08 more questions! How come the ladies and gents are doing a side step as they proceed out of the church? How come some have fancy umbrellas and sashes? Thanks!

[aggroskater1440]

@strgazermel That's part of the "second line" tradition. Following the "first line" of a parade which was the main parade itself, there would be a "second line" who just wanted to unofficially follow for the sake of being there and/or hear the music. The second line would often have parasols or handkerchiefs that they waved as they danced.

[rollinhard7]

@strgazermel Yes, white people have jazz funerals(and second line) as well.

[InsideDope]

Dr. John shown at beginning. Cool.

[eyezsosexi]

my condolensces for this loss....

[flamairzah]

The sisters were truly steppin out. Beautiful!

[triptoheaveandho]

i love the ladies doing the traditional walk

[robertonegrao01]

LInda homenagem.. acho que o verdadeiro sentido da despedida .. não devemos lamentar a parida e sim festejar comemorar com alegria .. a passagem p o outro lado ...p o resnascimento

[Monke96ify]

could some explain me what a funeral second line is cause im not sure?

[kookydave]

it's a celebration that takes place after a person's funeral to send off the departed with a party to celebrate their glorious life. going out in style. having people remember the good times...

[Monke96ify]

that's pretty cool

[BiGGMIKE429]

@kookydave My Wonderful CITY OF NEW ORLEANS is So RICH with Culture, Most people do not understand the Love we have for one another , and the pride we maintain in keeping the self preservation of our Beautiful City and Culture , it's emanates from within our SOULS , I now reside in Atlanta , but I truly do know what it means to miss NEW Orleans, and miss it will all my HEART ( smile) My prayers and Blessings to Ms Brooks and her Family ,, BIG MIKE

[ls1z28chris]

@BiGGMIKE429 Atlanta is horrible. I've lived here for a few years. I'm moving back home at the end of October. There is no place like New Orleans. This just can't do it, brah. I've got to go back. I'll see you down there. Meet you at Parkway for a po-boy, sloppy with gravy and a ton of Tabasco.

[return2delirium]

@Monke96ify the second line is generally named for the group of people that follow the family. hence....second line.

[dennykdoe]

@Monke96ify the second line follows the band and fammily--but what it really refers to is the behavior of same after the internment--on the way back from the cemetary. Then the band really cuts loose ("Oh, didn't he ramble" being a favorite, amongst others) and the crowd--the second line--responds with spontaneous, exuberant dancing and strutting. Come natural to african-americans, but even white people can pick up the essentials if you try. The real things starts after 4:44.

[toReasonWhy]

@Monke96ify

The second line is the people who dance or play music but were not hired to do so in the first place... the ones who join in on the jazz march without being paid. The second line, after the planned, hired first line. By this point in time it's often used to mean any people who dance around any jazz parade/funeral.

[NordGarc]

I want to earn such funeral!

[ls1z28chris]

@NordGarc

Everyone deserves a funeral like this: a celebration of life rather than a mourning of death.