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Second Line Parade: Treme New Orleans Brass Band

Treme Brass Band sketches, ink & watercolor
Treme Brass Band sketches, ink & watercolor

To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Arhoolie Records held a “second line parade” led by the New Orleans-based Tremè Brass Band. The parade started with a fantastic concert at Berkeley’s Civic Center Park

In the video below you can see and hear the band (and me trying to sketch them, looking like a bobble-head doll as I look up at the band and down at my sketchbook. I’m at top right of the screen, starting around 30 seconds in, wearing bright green.)

After they played 20 minutes or so, we danced (and sketched) along behind the band to the Berkeley BART station, with many people twirling handkerchiefs or parasols in the air as is the tradition in second line parades. They performed another brief concert, and then more people joined in the parade as we moved along Shattuck Avenue.

Playing by the BART station
Playing by the BART station (note guy recording sound with mic on boom)

The parade ended at Freight & Salvage on Addison Street where we were again treated to more great Dixieland music. By then I was pretty far back in the crowd so gave up trying to draw the band but noticed these guys on the roof videotaping the event as we arrived.

Gathering at Freight and Salvage
Gathering at Freight and Salvage

This was one of those “It doesn’t get any better than this” experiences: Fantastic live music, sunshine and sketching! I knew the sketching would be challenging because of the constant movement, so only had as my goal to have fun and give it a try. I definitely had fun!

5 replies on “Second Line Parade: Treme New Orleans Brass Band”

Looking at that crowd and all the movement, I am amazed that you did this well! I think if I had been there, I would have never pulled out my sketchbook to even try! You are certainly an inspiration!

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Great music Jana, and I must say, I would not have believed someone could sketch in the middle of a crowd like that unless I had seen it with my own eyes…and your sketches came out GREAT!

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Thanks Rita! And I just realized I never responded to the one email you sent me with the photos of your artwork. I feel terrible. I enjoyed them so much and then I think new emails came and hid yours and I just never replied. I will, I promise! Jana

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You are just such fun, Jana. Thanks for the sketches and the video and music.
I would have loved to have followed along behind them, A special day.
annie

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