Rejoice When You Die

This photographic volume documents the history of jazz funerals in the heyday of the late 1960s, when they were still an honour bestowed only on jazz musicians. Photographer Leo Touchet aims to capture the funerals' spirit, including those of musicians George Lewis and Alcide "Slowdrag" Pavageau.

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New Orleans jazz funerals have always been a rich cultural phenomenon, revealing the passions and philosophies of the living as well as the departed. In this collection of almost three hundred black-and-white photographs of jazz funerals, selected from many taken between 1968 and 1970, Leo Touchet captures the spirit of these send-offs, showing them to be a tribute to life and to death itself. Touchet's photographs freeze-frame several funerals, including those of musicians George Lewis, Alcide "Slowdrag" Pavageau and Paul "T-Boy" Barbarin, and social club member Leon "Nooney-Boy" Shelly. His camera catches the reactions of the many spectators. After the burial, the marchers' reserved mood becomes emotion unleashed as they affirm life and death through upbeat dance and music. Touchet photographs feverish energy of the second lines, revellers who follow the mourners and bands and dance through the streets to lead the deceased's soul home. Playwright and actor Vernal Bagneris provides the accompanying text, a rendition of song lyrics and comments, including imagined observations from the honoree himself.
An introduction by noted jazz musician and teacher Ellis Marsalis provides a background to the tradition and the music. "Rejoice When You Die" documents the history of jazz funerals in the heyday of the late 1960s, when they were still an honour bestowed only on jazz musicians.