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<span class="vcard">John Shaw</span>
John Shaw

Bourbon Street can occasionally be serene and beautiful in its own way, 7/4/12

The New Orleans All-Stars Brass Band performs at the corner of Bourbon and Canal, a location that seems to recreate some of the spirit of the old Congo Square. Here the division between performers and spectators that is so much a part of Western culture is blurred, as dancers and second-liners become performers themselves, or as they occasionally borrow a drumstick from a band member and add a layer of percussion on an empty bottle. 7/4/12

#013 All Stars Brass Band (by jdoggtn7)

The bass and snare drummers demonstrate the second-line beat at the corner of Bourbon and Canal in New Orleans, 7/4/12

#012 All Stars Brass Band (by jdoggtn7)

The bass and snare drummers demonstrate the second-line beat at the corner of Bourbon and Canal in New Orleans, 7/4/12

#010 TBC Brass Band Hey Baby! (by jdoggtn7)

New Orleans’ TBC Brass Band performs at the corner of Bourbon Street and Canal Street where their career began, 7/4/12

Canal & Bourbon: Where It All Began For The @TBC_BrassBand

The TBC (or To Be Continued) Brass Band has performed all over the country, and have been the subject of a documentary film called From The Mouthpiece On Back. But despite national and international acclaim and regular gigs at the Hot East Daiquiri Shop and the Blue Nile, they still take the time to perform at the legendary Canal and Bourbon Street corner where it all began. 7/4/12

One of the best places to catch authentic brass band music is the corner of Canal and Bourbon Streets beside the Foot Locker. Despite being in the French Quarter, this corner is close to the Iberville Projects, and here the brass bands play as much for their friends and relatives as they do for the tourists. There’s always a friendly vibe, good crowd interaction and some amazing dancing and/or second-lining. It’s also free, although the bands will pass the box around for donations. This is also the ground where many young bands get their start, from the To Be Continued to the Young Pinstripes. 7/4/12