What is a Second Line?

Second Line, another name for a Social Aid and Pleasure club, in their role in a Jazz funeral. A brass band forms the first line and the mourners form the “Second Line”. After the body is cut away (buried), the mood of the parade changes from sadness to celebration. The brass band breaks into Jazz and plays the favorite tunes of the deceased. The band picks up the tempo and move to the syncopations of the music in a style unique to New Orleans. It may be traditional Gospel tunes jazzed up. The up-tempo music is intended to make the relatives and friends cast off their sadness. And the people along the streets dance to the music.

The Jazz played after a New Orleans funeral shows no disrespect for the deceased. Rather, it shows the people that the deceased wants them to be happy. In these funeral processions are the roots of jazz and the continuation of a tradition in which life is affirmed after death is honored.