When You Hear That Beat

Recorded live on a French Quarter rooftop, the 2021 Bill Russell Lecture examines tradition and change in New Orleans brass bands. The Bill Russell Lecture is an annual event at The Historic New Orleans Collection that focuses on New Orleans Jazz. The lecture is usually held during French Quarter Festival to a sold-out audience, but this year, because of COVID-19 restrictions, we expanded what the presentation typically looks like to safely bring you this recording of “When You Hear that Beat: Tradition and Change in the New Orleans Brass Band.”

Dhani Adomaitis, HNOC staff member and ethnomusicologist, leads a conversation between Dr. Michael White, Xavier University, and Douane Waples, THNOC staff member and saxophonist for Kings of Brass about the evolution of brass bands in New Orleans.

With decades of experience and practice, Dr. Michael White has long been considered the authority on traditional New Orleans jazz and he is one of the most visible musicians in the city. As a clarinetist, bandleader, and historian, his credited discography of over 80 recordings and long list of publications certainly speaks to this authority. Saxophonist Douane Waples, who traces his lineage to early jazz musician, Alphonse Picou, shares his fifteen years of contemporary brass band experience starting with the Baby Boyz, New Breed Brass Band, and currently the Kings of Brass. Dr. White on clarinet, guest trumpeter Gregg Stafford of the Young Tuxedo Brass Band, and the Kings of Brass perform throughout.