Friday, 11/18/11

Rainy?

It doesn’t matter.

Any day’s a perfect day for a parade.

The Black Men of Labor 2009 Second Line Parade, New Orleans

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lagniappe

The Black Men of Labor is an organization of African American men who promote and preserve traditional New Orleans cultural expressions through Parade Club traditions. Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs in New Orleans African American community were formed as early as the late 1700’s to respond to the lack of access to medical care, and insurance and to provide members proper burial. A direct link to West African traditions of burial and tribal societies is undeniable in the light of recent studies which tell us the history of West Africans in early Louisiana. The Black Men of Labor was founded in 1993 by Fred J. Johnson, Jr. and Musicians Benny Jones, Sr. and Gregory Stafford, to reaffirm and pay tribute to the contributions of African American men in the work place. The Black Men of Labor believes in the importance of the image which they uphold: honorable, hardworking, committed, law abiding citizens with a focus on preserving the history and culture of traditional Jazz Music which is passed on from generation to generation. Celebrated Jazz Musicians Mr. Danny and Mrs. Blu Lu Barker served as the inspiration for the Black Men of Labor to organize a meaningful Parade club which has returned traditional Jazz to the streets of New Orleans in the form of their annual Labor Day Parade. Members take pride in the fact their contributions have been the source of economic empowerment to a mixed minority group of local entrepreneurs and small business. The Black Men of Labor has consistently produced an annual Parade which attracts thousands of diverse people each year in a most peaceful and jovial atmosphere. The Parade also has another purpose. The Black Men of Labor seek to preserve traditional New Orleans Jazz by hiring musicians that play New Orleans Jazz music as it was performed by such great Brass Bands and musicians as Louis Armstrong, Danny Barker, Paul Barbarin, Duke Dejan, Milton Batiste, The Olympia Brass Band, the Onward, The Excelsior, Tuxedo, Eureka Brass Band, Doc. Paulin Brass Band, E. Gibson Brass Band, Reliance Brass Band, George Williams Brass Band, Cal Blunt

Brass Band, and the Royal Brass Band. It is the belief of The Black Men of Labor that more than any other single element of New Orleans culture, traditional New Orleans Jazz music is responsible for the City’s worldwide fame. The Black Men of Labor is committed to the preserving and continuing this music—on the streets, in the clubs, and gaining new audiences throughout the world. To further its commitment The Black Men of Labor have started a Mentoring Program to socially and economically disadvantage inner city young males from the age of 8-18 year of age in training, educating and grooming them in upholding this great culture and tradition through a weekend music program. The annual Parade always features a 15 member traditional Brass Band with multiple generation of musicians in full uniform (which consist of a Black Band Hat, White Shirt, Black Pants and Black Shoes) performing the best of New Orleans traditional Jazz with decorum and joy.

—The Black Men of Labor Website

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In other places, culture comes down from on high. In New Orleans, it bubbles up from the street.

—Ellis Marsalis (Michael P. Smith, Mardi Gras Indians [2007], epigraph)