New Orleans Style Jazz Funerals
The band specializes in performing New Orleans Style Jazz Funerals, either at the funeral service site or the burial service or both. The performances use four to seven musicians (based on cost limitations) playing traditional Dixieland gospel songs We start off by playing slow dirges before the service, traditional hymns during the service and integrated into it, and then pick up the tempo at the end to celebrate the life lived, often with a second line procession. The family has the opportunity to select the songs they want , and suggest other ones they might want played. We work with the funeral director and/or clergy to integrate our playing into the service.
In the funeral home or memorial service location, we usually play in a fixed location. We play the dirges as a prelude to the service as visitors enter and are seated. During the service we play the hymns or pieces selected on cue, and at the end of the service pick up the paces in celebration. The band stays in place until the end. The instrumentation is usually clarinet, bass, keyboard (piano) and drums, adding trumpet, trombone and banjo as desired.
At the burial site we often become a marching unit, leading the procession accompanying the casket (or urn) from its transport site, playing dirges until the gravesite is reached. Family and friends follow us and then assemble. We played the selected hymns during the burial service and afterward pick up the pace and celebrate as we march in procession back to the original site. As a marching unit the instrumentation is clarinet, tuba, banjo and field drum, adding trumpet, trombone and bass drum as desired.
Examples of some selections that we play:
Dirges Hymns Celebrations
In the Garden Just a Closer Walk with Thee Just a Little While to Stay Here
Amazing Grace We Shall Walk Through the Valley When the Saints Go Marching In
The Old Rugged Cross Precious Lord Over in the Gloryland
In the Sweet Bye and Bye Selected Hymns Oh! Didn't He Ramble
For information, scheduling and pricing contact Bill Rowe by phone (703-929-8542 Cell) or email to browe@nsmjq.org
Jam Session
Every
Thursday
7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
St. Elmo's
Coffee Pub
2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, Virginia
We are presently in our our 13th year at St. Elmo's
703-739-9268
Our CD is available - goto CDs