Second-Line Style
Watch a little bit of New Orleans history weave around the Fair Grounds as social aid and pleasure clubs celebrate their swinging past.
By Geraldine Wyckoff
Photo by Sylvester Francis
When the colorful social aid and pleasure clubs high-step around the Fair Grounds to the rhythms of brass bands, fest-goers witness a New Orleans tradition.
The first black benevolent society in New Orleans dates back to 1783. Early on, these groups were formed to provide important forms of social assistance to their members, such as making sure their health care and burial expenses were covered. These mutual aid societies would hold parades as a type of advertising, to encourage others to join their ranks.
With the advent of state-run health care institutions and black-owned insurance companies, the need for some of the clubs’ functions diminished. Yet these organizations continue to play an important role in New Orleans’ African-American community. Significantly, the social aid and pleasure clubs have kept the heritage of second-line parades alive by their annual sponsorship of brass band-led marches to celebrate their anniversaries.
Almost every Sunday from the end of August through June, second-line parades of various sizes weave through the streets in black communities around the city. During the 2000-01 “season,” more than 40 social aid and pleasure clubs stepped out in stylish outfits to dance and buck-jump to the hot sounds of some of this city’s best brass bands. Anyone with stamina and a sense of fun can join in on these four-hour marches, filling out the ranks of the second line.
This Weekend’s Parades:
Friday 2 p.m.
Algiers Brass Band with the Double Nine and Single Men Kids
These two marching clubs will step to traditional brass band rhythms including hymns like “Lord, Lord, Lord,” with the Algiers providing the beat. Led by trumpeter (and onstage keyboardist) Ruddley Thibodeaux, this brass band, which has traveled the world, calls the West Bank home. As its name also implies, the Double Nine hails from the Ninth Ward. After watching the dance moves of the Single Men Kids, who were dressed in snazzy yellow and black outfits for their March parade, it’s clear that the New Orleans second-line tradition is in good hands.
4 p.m.
Real Untouchables Brass Band with the Devastation and the Millennium Steppers
Organized in the summer of 1999, the Real Untouchables is one of the newer brass bands around, mainly featuring students from Southern University in Baton Rouge’s marching band. Led by Wali Abdel-Ra’oof Jr., the ensemble will provide Devastation and the Millennium Steppers, which celebrated its second anniversary in February, mostly traditional tunes with a few hotter original numbers thrown in.
Saturday, April 28 Noon
Paulin Brothers Brass Band with the Calliope Steppers, Valley of the Silent Men and Lady Sequence
Talk about New Orleans musical families. The Paulin Brothers — clarinetist Ricky, trombonists Dwayne and Scott, trumpeter Phillip, bass drummer Aaron and saxophonist Roderick (plus tuba player Oscar Washington) — even have the Neville clan outnumbered for siblings performing in one band. New Orleans jazz runs in their veins, handed down by their father, the great trumpeter and vocalist Doc Paulin. The Paulins lay down traditional New Orleans street rhythm for Uptown’s Calliope Steppers, the Valley of the Silent Men (which kicks off the parade season in August) and the Lady Sequence.
2 p.m.
Original Thunderstorm Brass Band with the Dumaine Gang, Divine Ladies, and the Dumaine Ladies
Trombonist Eddie “Boh” Paris is a familiar figure on the brass and traditional jazz scene, performing with a variety of people. As leader of the Thunderstorm Brass Band, “Boh” gathers together a lot of his horn- and percussion-playing associates in an ensemble that can change faces. Swinging to the mostly traditional style of the band are Uptown’s Divine Ladies, as well as two downtown groups that both take their names from a New Orleans street: the Dumaine Gang and Dumaine Ladies.
4 p.m.
Treme Brass Band with the Black Men of Labor, Second Line Jammers and Happy House
One of New Orleans’ most beloved brass bands, the Treme boasts a killer ensemble of musicians that includes rhythm-makers Benny Jones (leader and snare drummer) and bass drummer “Uncle” Lionel Batiste. Tradition that kicks with the playing of saxophonist Eliot “Stackman” Callier will — as it does each September — get the Black Men of Labor down with some buck-jumping. The Second Line Jammers, who take to the streets each year in the cool of January, won’t be out-shined in the dance department. These veterans are joined by Happy House.
Sunday Noon
Pinstripe Brass Band with Olympia Aid, Uptown Hobo Clowns and the Distinguished Gentlemen
Tuba player Jeffrey Herbert spurs on the Pinstripe Brass Band with his sheer energy and enthusiasm. Led by drummer Herbert McCarver, this ensemble is the keeper of the flame of traditional brass band music, not to mention a regular at Sunday-afternoon second lines. The Pinstripe has performed on streets and stages around the world. For sure they’ll play a crowd favorite, “I Ate Up the Apple Tree,” stepped to by the Olympia Aid and two bands whose disparate combination of names is very New Orleans: the Uptown Hobo Clowns and the Distinguished Gentlemen.
2 p.m.
Li’l Rascals Brass Band with the Unknown Steppers, Original Four and Single Ladies
Led by talented trombonist Corey Henry, the slideman with Kermit Ruffins’ Barbecue Swingers, the Rascals first organized in 1986. This brassy collection of musicians, who aren’t so little anymore, can and do play it all, from traditional styles to hot, contemporary sounds. In 1998, the Li’l Rascals even released an album of traditional tunes, and have a new CD due out for the Fest. The Unknown Steppers marching club has the fancy footwork to go with any style; also taking advantage of the diversity will be the Original Four and the Single Ladies. The Single Ladies’ upcoming anniversary parade is scheduled in June.
4 p.m.
New Birth Brass Band with the Untouchables, Furious Five and Popular Ladies
OK, now we’re talking about hot. As it does at many a Sunday second-line parade, as well as on its latest disc, Cell Block 0009, the New Birth kicks in the jumping brass band style. This band, led by trumpeter Tanio Hingle, is funky and streetwise, as is evident on tunes like “Who Dat Called Da Po’lice.” It also moves into modern moods, playing Teddy Pendergrass’ “50/50 Love” and even surprises with a classic hymn like “I’ll Fly Away.” Its street shout is often “Who ya rollin’ with? New Birth!” Rolling today are three marching clubs ready for the action: the Untouchables, Furious Five and Popular Ladies.
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