Music: A City Speaks

Serenade you on Bourbon Street 

Kids play for tips too, teach them young!

Second Hand Street Band was a diverse group of men who moved here from different parts of the country and world. The amalgamation of culture in one band is the epitome of New Orleans music.

Street musicians often make a living from tips. They offer pictures with tourists to increase their chances of getting money from those walking by.

They sang "I'll take you down and serenade you on Bourbon Street"
Then they invited people to sit with them so they could serenade us!

Jackson Square, a place where artists gather. Musicians of every kind were heard, from street bands, trumpeters, guitarists, to bongo-rappers and beatniks with spoken word. I heard a variety of jazz, blues, classics, bluegrass, and more. It is difficult to say any one musical experience in New Orleans was my favorite, but the most impactful experience in Jackson Square started out with one man playing the trumpet. A tuba player, tromboner, and drummer joined him over the next few minutes. The trumpeter was also the lead, as he would stop playing in order to sing. They created a crowd within a few minutes. I was not surprised, as my body moved to the beat of their instruments and hummed to their lyrics. The most intriguing part of the city is that people gather around to play music where ever they feel like and sometimes it earns them a living. It is innovative and acceptable in a way that no other city is, as you do not have to be discovered to live off of what you love to do.

Bamboula's on Frenchman

Benitez Band at BMC on Frenchman! They even asked me to share them, networking is key. What friendly guys!

Frenchman Street, the heart and soul of New Orleans music. Like an outlet mall for virtuoso bands at no charge. Devotion and zeal resounding from each instrument and the rhythm entrances like a snake. Bodies move, hip to foot, dancing without request. The night life feels exclusive to those who feel the vivacity of the music within their blood. Walking down the street is like window-shopping for the band you want to decide on. Thankfully more locals here than tourists, so I can relax and attempt to blend in with the artistic minds that surround me. The first band I saw on Frenchman was Benitez Band, with a groovy rhythm that combined blues with a bassline-funky house music. Bass and synth was mixed with electric guitar that spoke with tones of classic funk music. I met the band outside BMC and conversed with the lead, Josh Benitez, a slender man with dark curly hair to his shoulders, glasses, and a rounded hat. Next, we headed down the street and found Vaso, with Ed Wills playing on the stage. He sang a more classic version of blues, with the lyrics reflecting his sorrows and joys. Finally, we found BB King Club, with a cover band that turned every song into their original version of jazz and blues. Favorites from Michael Jackson and Prince, were now songs of Frenchman Street, with the array of instruments, soul, and jazz that anyone would expect. The dark-lit clubs reminded me of a poetry reading, where one is trying to set the mood.

The music spoke to me about the city's history of diversity. It reminded me of a story about Louis Armstrong, and how his band was interracial, playing in harmony as people with one sound. When Armstrong returned to New Orleans during segregation, he was refused the ability to play with his bandmates. He said he would not return until the city found its original harmony, above the intolerance of diversity. As I walked through the city and saw the many musicians play, there were few bands that were not interracial. Armstrong would be proud of how the music today would speak of acceptance despite diverse backgrounds, stories to tell, overcoming poverty through music, and a soul for originality and innovation. It was beautiful to see that New Orleans had overcome obstacles of racism and segregation and gained back some of its original tolerance, through music. The Second Hand Street Band was inspiring, as none of the musicians are New Orleans Natives. They moved here from many states and countries, in order to pursue their dreams in music and art. To become a part of such a diverse community, to add to sound of the city.
Many musicians improvised, and this was told through their connection to the music and the other musicians. Even if the song was written and planned, a solo would be an original work of art that may never be heard again. Collective improvisations were seen in other ways throughout the city, through many types of art and my own spontaneity to find a place to eat or something to occupy my time. This spoke to the innovation of the city. Musicians that were connected to the city and to the message of their music had no difficulty in improvising a solo or creating a new song, on stage!

The music spoke to me as a lifestyle. Many come here to experience the music, and some come to create it. People of New Orleans thrive on the music and the culture it represents. Congo Square is said to be the birthplace of music, as it combined cultures of Free People of Color, slaves, Voodoos, and many of a variety of African religions who utilized different drums and instruments. The bamboula, a hand-made drum with leather sealed on top to create a particular beat, is a memorable slave instrument. I saw one displayed in the Cabildo museum. It is also the name of a club on Frenchman Street, an establishment that pays dues to its roots. Such diverse groups that gathered in Congo Square combined their sounds to create jazz, blues, and what developed to rock and roll. The drums harmonized with dancers ritualizing to the beat. People live music in New Orleans. They live on the purpose that music brings them and the money that it can provide. Some need nothing else to feel complete. This is an admirable state to be in, as our materialistic ways can often shadow the importance of expression.