Tradition Is a Temple

Plot

Contemporary New Orleans jazz musicians discuss their childhood introductions to music in Baptist churches and through local traditions like second line (parades) and Jazz Funerals, and the role of Danny Barker in keeping traditional New Orleans Jazz alive through the 70’s and 80’s. Asking the artists point blank, director Darren Hoffman explores the potential “death” of traditional jazz through modernization and marginalization and its preservation through mentorship and the continuation of traditions that intrigue and inspire young people to play the music of previous generations.

Performances and Production

In addition to in depth personal interviews, Tradition is a Temple is composed of various multi-camera professional studio recordings. The performances were recorded by Steve Reynolds (sound engineer) at the University of New Orleans School of Music. The production took place completely post-Hurricane Katrina beginning in August 2006.