Field Report: Ellis Marsalis Second Line in New Orleans

Ellis Marsalis Second Line in New Orleans

Yesterday afternoon in downtown New Orleans the city saw dozens of the premiere jazzmen on the planet convene to fete Ellis Marsalis, one of the legendary figures of the genre. Mr Marsalis passed away two years ago and had been denied the rites of a jazz funeral til now.

Ellis Marsalis Second Line in New Orleans

Thousands of his fans took to the streets as 40-plus blowers and drummers honked and pounded their way through the history of jazz on a 1.5 mile walk from Gallier Hall to Congo Square. This is what we saw: