[Dixielandjazz] Jazz funerals

[Charlie Hooks]

Barbone is right: they're all different, and the prices vary.   But 
there was at one time a basic way of doing them that could be varied 
with the territory.

At the funeral home, meet with the minister/rabbi/priest in advance 
and work out the order of worship they intend to use.  No 
surprises.   And of course, the funeral director needs in on the 
meeting.   Play what the person who hires you asks you to play and 
suggest other tunes as well if you think the situation warrants.   
You are not the main event, so don't take over the ceremony.   But 
there's always "Amazing Grace," "Closer Walk" and (I love doing this 
one) "Come, All Ye Disconsolate."   Hubert Laws has the most poignant 
rendition of this as a solo flute in that superslow jet black 12/8 
tempo I love to play on.

You need a flexible portable group--trumpet, clarinet, trombone, 
banjo, tuba, and a drummer with a sling for emergency parades. Just 
be flexible and go with the flow.   I've played a most satisfactory 
funeral with just low register clarinet alone doing "Amazing   
Grace," [and another doing a solo rendition of Bach's "Air on the G 
String,"  standing out under a tree like a lone piper as the casket 
was brought out and lowered.  Not exactly OKOM, but very effective 
and worth $400 bucks for about 10 minutes' work.]

Louis has a recording of the traditional tune played as a dirge on 
the way to the gravesite (assuming it's in walking distance): "Flee 
As A Bird To The Mountain," an ancient gospel hymn to be found in 
many old hymnals.   Notice it is NOT "Free" as a Bird!,  but FLEE as 
a bird, referring to the soul's flight into the beyond.    Beebe had 
this recording someplace, but I never copied it--like much I've 
failed to do over the years.  Our band recorded it in Chicago some 25 
years ago for a T.V. special on funerals, but I've no idea where that 
is now, either.  Louis plays the dirge: he doesn't rush it: he takes 
all the time in the world--what ever it takes.  And it's great!  
Barrett loved doing this tune with a long continuous roll, slight 
accents here and there to help the horns...wonderful.

But on the way back from the cemetery there was always The One:  
"Didn't He Ramble!" in Ab.

Sometimes you'll be asked to go along to the restaurant, to eat with 
the family and to play a tune or two.  I always enjoy that.

BTW, Mike Marois probably has forgotten more about these funerals 
than most of us will ever learn.  Maybe he'll pipe up--or is that 
"tuba" up?  If Emery Thompson were still alive in N.O., he'd clue 
everybody in.  And Barrett Deems must have done a million of 'em.  
But the old men who grew up doing these funerals have all starred or 
are all starring in funerals of their own!

I'm in no hurry.

Charlie
_________________________________________
"Three groups spend other people's money: children, thieves, 
politicians. All three need supervision."--Dick Armey