A New Orleans band parade is historically for funerals and are now used for funerals, weddings and events.  The New Orleans parade was originally performed by dixieland jazz bands or dixieland brass bands in the early 1900’s.  The dixieland band processes to the grave site performing slow sad music like “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”.  After the funeral service the band plays upbeat dixieland songs  like “When the Saints Go Marching In” to celebrate their loved one going to heaven to be with God.  Now the celebratory part of the tradition is also used for weddings and events.

The New Orleans band parade is often called  “second line” parade.  This is because when the parades were first done, there would traditionally be a “second line” of people marching along with the band.

Events Using New Orleans Band Parades and Music

• Funerals:  Traditionally the parade is at the cemetery.  The dixieland band processional leads family and friends on foot, or in cars, to the gravesite.  The band performs slow jazz funeral music until everyone gathers at the graveside.  After the service the dixieland jazz band performs upbeat New Orleans jazz music to celebrate their loved one’s transition to heaven.
• Memorials: New Orleans jazz music at the memorial service.  The band provides prelude music (music before the memorial service), service music hymns and postlude music or parade out of the service music.  The postlude or exit processional parade music is traditionally upbeat second line music celebrating a love one’s transition to heaven.
• Weddings:  Use jazz brass band parades for your wedding ceremony recessional (walk back down the aisle at the end of the wedding ceremony) for a memorable surprise for your wedding guests.  Some wedding couples like A parade starting right after you walk back down the aisle.  The most popular New Orleans wedding parade is a parade from the ceremony to the cocktail hour or the cocktail hour to the reception.  What a fun surprise for your guests instead of being herded from cocktails to the reception. A trumpet performing a fanfare to get everyone’s attention and then inviting everyone to join the parade.
• Conventions/meetings: Wake up everyone at your morning meetings with a New Orleans Brass Band parade though the room performing  fun interactive music.   Imagine your CEO leading the parade with a traditional New Orleans umbrella.
• Parties and Events:  Nothing livens up a party more than dixieland jazz music.  Choose soft background music or a fun lively performance.

Costumes

Different brass band costumes for different occasions

• Funerals: The traditional New Orleans band parade Costume (pictured above)
• Weddings: The traditional New Orleans band parade costume (pictured) with mardi gras beads
• Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras Parades & Parties: The traditional New Orleans parade costume with mardi gras beads or purple, green and gold mardi gras costumes

Hire A New Orleans Band Parade

In Orlando, Florida, Central Florida and Florida contact Music Remembrance for an authentic New Orleans style brass band performing dixieland second line music.  A large selection of different size brass jazz bands are available.  If you would like, the band continues performing for your event after the parade.

While booking a second line parade, mardi gras parade, dixieland parade, jazz parade, funeral processional, and New Orleans wedding parade, ask your musicians if they are full time performers to get the best bands available. Music Remembrance uses all full time professional musicians.

New Orleans Band parades make your funeral, wedding or event memorable. We hope to be a part or your event. Please let us know how we can serve you.