New Orleans is one of the first melting pots of Colonial America. Originally founded as a French port city in 1718, it also spent over 40 years under Spanish rule, then was briefly reacquired by France and sold to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Each time the city changed hands, New Orleans was infused with different cultures and tastes. New food, traditions, and music could soon be found in every neighborhood. New Orleans is also unique in that its slave population was allowed to keep its musical traditions. Every Sunday the rhythms, singing, and dancing of West Africa could be heard and seen in Congo Square at the heart of the city. At the turn of the 20th century, the sounds of these different cultures - French, Spanish, West African, and American Ragtime and March music - began to blend together into one entirely unique sound; the early roots of Jazz Music.
This blending of cultural stylings can be heard in the New Orleans Brass Band tradition. Taking its structure and function from popular marching bands of the early 1900s, Brass Bands can be seen to this day leading every kind of parade, from funeral marches to Mardi Gras celebrations. Liza Jane is a standard song within this Brass Band tradition. While our arrangement is for Big Band, and not for Brass Band, the spirit of this song’s roots should always remain. It’s a celebration - a party - a brash troupe of musicians marching down the street with a string of dancers and singers following along caught up in the joy of the moment!
Tips from the Band:
