July 20, 2012
Stories to follow...many of the people in these photos are embedded in the music culture of New Orleans.
Torrential rain flooded the streets and the cemetery this morning. The funeral procession is postponed till Monday. Everyone i talked told me in no uncertain terms, "Do not miss this, it is historic." I'm trying to change my flight home. They're right, this event will be epic, on a scale that will not be seen again anytime soon.
Harry "Swampthang" Cook, bass drum for Hot 8 Brass Band (featured in Spike Lee's "When The Creek Don't Rise") center in white shirt; to his right, blues guitarist and drumer Larry Bell, aka "Cuz".
Harry "Swampthang" Cook; Donna Poniatowski, co-owner with her husband Charlie Sims of music hot spot Donna's Bar and Grill (now closed); and trombone player Ed King of the Tremé Brass Band; photo at right, Ed King, Donna Poniatowski, and New Orleans highly-regarded singer Deacon Jones, who sang at Uncle Lionel's funeral today.
(left) pt in stylish black glasses joins the group; (right) Keith "Wolf" Anderson (brown shirt), trombone, has played with Dirty Dozen, Treme, Rebirth, Hot 8, and several other brass bands; Kid Hunter (midddle), "Fatman" Hunter's younger brother. Fatman plays snare in Newbirth and other brass bands, and Harry Cook (far right)
Wolf Anderson, guest, Harry "Swampthang" Cook and Donna Poniatowski; Keith "Wolf" Anderson
Tremé resident Peter Goins, retired Merchant Marine, who told me stories about Congo Square and life in Tremé, Donna Poniatowski and pt at large; photo right- Goins, Mark Perez, known as "Pin Man" of Houston,TX and pt at large.
Left - Peter Goins, Mark "Pinman" Perez, NuAwlins Natescott, New Orleans tour director with a prodigious memory for New Orleans history (504-451-7163); Right - Perez with Rosalie "Lady Tambourine" Washington
St. Ann Street leading in to the French Quarter from North Rampart Street not far from the Mahalia Jackson Theater For The Performing Arts in Louis Armstrong Park was among one of flooded streets. The green door on building on left was the front door of Donna's Bar and Grill, a well-known music spot for years, now unfortunately closed.
I understand different cultures and their idiosyncrasies. However, mumification to achieve an effect benefiting the living is morbid to me. Uncle Lionel is gone, dead, and doesn't care or know whether he's standing or lying down. As for the funeral, great in all it's musical history and glory. Enjoy the celebration of his life.
Posted by: Jeff | July 21, 2012 at 08:41 AM
New Orleans marches to its own drum, none more well known than that bass drum belonging to beloved Uncle Lionel Batiste.
Like others,I was initially stunned when I saw an empty cssket and a fellow pointed to what I thought was a mannequin of some sort. It took a few moments for me to grasp the situation then appreciate the total synchronicity.
People never ever saw him lying down, when they thought of him they had the image of him walking down the streets of Tremé or the French Quarter or beating on his ancient bass drum in a second line parade or the back row of the Tremé Brass Band.
The family wanted us to see him as we always did, standing, surveying, ready to say hello, all while dressed dapper and dazzling with signature gold watch, rings, and sunglasses.
For the four hours i witnessed the reaction of viewers at his wake, not once did i see anyone repelled. The feeling was that the man was going out in style, they loved looking at him the way they remembered him - on his feet, with a wry grin on is face.
Posted by: Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. aka pt at large | July 21, 2012 at 09:58 AM
Doubt this story can be topped. Definitely worth re-booking your flight to stick around for the procession. I love your piano tie. No kidding about the torrential rain...maybe nature's way of extending the mourning and celebration of a life never to be forgotten. God Bless Uncle Lionel.
Posted by: Carole Blossom | July 21, 2012 at 12:34 PM
I bought that tie in the French Market on Decatur two years ago, wondered where I would ever wear it...when i packed for Uncle Lionel's funeral, it was the first item in the suitcase. Thanks for noticing!
BTW I'm staying.
Posted by: Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. aka pt at large | July 21, 2012 at 10:16 PM
You're stylin' in that tie, pt!
Posted by: Rebecca Wilson | July 23, 2012 at 04:47 PM