Clips de letras # 13

The Superior Band of New Orleans (c. 1910)



Standing, 2nd from left, Bunk Johnson.

On the way to the cemetery we would always use slow, slow numbers such as Nearer My God to Thee, Flee as a Bird to the Mountains... We would use most any 4/4, played very slow; they walked very slow behind the body.

After the burial the band would come on to the front, out of the graveyard. Then the lodge would come out and then we’d march away from the cemetery by the snare drum only, until we got about a block or two away.

Then we’d go right on into ragtime. We would play Didn’t He Ramble, or we’d take all those spiritual hymns and turn them into ragtime – 2/4 movements, you know, step lively everybody.
(in Morgenstern, Dan & Brask, Ole; Jazz People)