Here is an interesting artist that's new to me, and I wanted to share his music.

Jon Batiste is really good and that is a good album. All the artist that have been mentioned that are from New Orleans,  not Nawlins Please, are or were excellent musicians and song writers. I'm surprised no one mentioned James Booker. He is up there with all the ones mentioned. But as someone who actually lives and works in New Orleans, it's like nails on a chalkboard when someone from Ohio or wherever says N'awlins.

https://youtu.be/l1vFZ6Wal3g

Dr John could pronounce it anyway he wanted. But when other people not from NOLA do they sound ridiculous 

Orpheus10, the Second lines even for funerals, are a celebratory event. I enjoy them. Unfortunately we've had too many recently with the passing of Art Neville, Dr John and Leah Chase

To teach HC Jr to play piano

For NOLA music royalty like Allen Toussaint, Dr John, Art Neville and Liinel Baptiste they have multiple second lines all over the city at different times. They had 2 for Art Neville last Friday after a few more earlier in the week. One of the largest second lines we had was for David Bowie after he died. That one was lead by Win  Butler of Arcade Fire. 

Orpheus10, Jon Cleary is one of my favorites. A recent Grammy winner he can be seen on some Friday afternoons playing at Le Bon Temps Roule, uptown on Magazine St. The neighborhood tradition of musicians and music is strong in New Orleans and what makes this city special. New Orleans is more of a large town than a city. Especially when you break it down into the many small neighborhoods. George Porter can be seen frequently at the Maple Leaf on Oak St, Walter Wolfman Washington also. Tipitinia's has Free Fridays in the summer and hosts many of the well known local musicians and bands. Fats Domino is another New Orleans musician that has died recently that we miss. Uncle Lionel Baptiste is another member of new Orleans music royalty who passed in 2012. They had multiple funerals and second lines for him as well. I have been fortunate enough to photograph most of these artists over the years. 

Thank you Orpheus10. Acresverde, the story that I have heard from my friend who is Harry Connick, Sr's God-child, is that HCsr made a deal with James Booker to teach him how to play the piano in exchange for a forgiveness on a drug charge. James Booker live at Onkel Po's Carnegie Hall is an awesome live album of JB

George Porter Jr is awesome bass player. A founding member of the Meters, played with Allen Toussaint. Now pretty much every big band that comes to town has him up on stage playing a song or two. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dead and friends to name 2. He is always playing around town. Has a regular gig at the Maple Leaf uptown on Oak. Can play everything well, jazz, blues, funk, rock, hip-hop

Yes, there is a department within the police department that grants a permit for parades including second lines. We have second lines for weddings and any celebrations. Conventions come down and if they have been here beforeand know they even have second lines. The ones for deceased musicians or local heroes are real second line celebrations. They attract a very diverse and enthusiastic crowd. The locals that go to those second lines say New Orleans. The ones that go to the convention second lines say N'Awlins

Orpheus, though Mathew  McConaughey is not from New Orleans, this is why so many local love this city. Even people that live in Louisiana but not  in New Orleans claim this city. 

https://youtu.be/AMFnOy_BEcM
Saturday night I sat in my porch in this heat with a few neighbors drinking bourbon  and listening to music

I'm not going to weigh in on which instrument is the most important in jazz. But I'm surprised Bill Evan's and Thelonious Monk haven't been mentioned  with Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

So Orpheus 10,  I usually read your posts, but I read a lot of posts and rarely comment. I do believe you explained both "there's no most important instrument" and poverty vs affluent very well. Doesn't mean there aren't any thugs. But thugs come in every race, nationality and shape. And yes the whole country is falling apart. But we don't seem to care.