Bourbon Street can occasionally be serene and beautiful in its own way, 7/4/12
New Orleans LA
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
An All-Star Brass Band at Canal and Bourbon, 2012
After the TBC Brass Band performed, an all-star band made up of members from various young New Orleans brass bands performed at the corner of Canal and Bourbon Streets, 7/4/12
French Quarter, New Orleans, 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
The Marriott Hotel on Canal Street, New Orleans, 7/4/12
The bass drum is like the foundation of brass band music. If you see somebody with a bass drum in New Orleans, that’s a really good sign. Follow him and see where he’s going, because there’s probably about to be some really good music going on.
Canal Street, Afternoon,New Orleans, 7/4/12
Noted artist George Rodrigue is from Lafayette, but his trademark blue dogs are everywhere in New Orleans, including on the front of the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street!