It’s no secret that New Orleans is one of the most significant places in the United States when it comes to the development of jazz music. Alongside this legacy evolved the Barbarin family dynasty. This kin group of intergenerational musicians became deeply rooted in New Orleans’ jazz and brass band traditions. Through hard-working grit and an ear for the divine, the Barbarins helped meld African, Caribbean, and American influences together to create the enduring musical tradition that’s so beloved today.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is honored to be the final resting place for several members of the Barbarin family, most notably Paul and his father, Isadore. An ongoing symbol for the timeless appeal of jazz, the Musicians Tomb represents the best of New Orleans’ unique above-ground burial practices and fashionable neoclassical building style. Before you hurry to pay your respects during this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, it’s a good idea to learn a thing or two about the jazz masters of old. Here’s a quick cheat sheet about the history of the Barbarin family and the New Orleans Musicians Tomb.
Isidore Barbarin: The Family’s Patriarch
One of the first Barbarins to claim fame in New Orleans, Isidore Barbarin has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the history of jazz. Born in the late 1800s, Isidore played a pivotal role in shaping the sound and structure of brass bands, a genre that in turn became foundational to jazz’s eventual evolution. Isidore performed on the cornetist — an instrument similar to a trumpet — and became known for his technical skill and emotive depth.
Beyond his many featured performances, Isidore was also an active member of the Onward Brass Band, one of New Orleans’ most celebrated music groups of the time. International travel exposed Isadore to nations outside the United States, which greatly contributed to the brass band’s renown. Isadore passed away in 1927 and was commended for his role as one of the city’s most prominent early jazz musicians.
Paul Barbarin: The City’s Heartbeat
As one of Isadore’s sons, Paul Barbarin significantly contributed to the emergence of rhythmic and more energetic jazz numbers. Paul’s masterful drumming embodied the frenetic and exciting pulse of New Orleans. Beyond simply loving his craft, Paul was well-known for his infectious enthusiasm and status as a sought-after musician during the ‘golden age’ of jazz. Like Isadore, Paul elevated his entire family’s legacy into the pantheon of New Orleans’ musical royalty.
At the beginning of his career, Paul honed his skills as both a percussionist and composer. After joining renowned acts like King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band and Louis Armstrong, Paul proved his mettle on both the local and global scene. His signature style was a blend of structured rhythm and innovative improvisations, which essentially became the foundation of modern jazz drumming. Paul is still a major influence on present-day performers, and rests just steps away from the route taken by many parades he performed in while alive.
The Musicians Tomb: A Tribute to Jazz Legends
A pilgrimage site for musicians of all genres, stripes, and skills, the New Orleans Musicians Tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 represents a sanctuary for countless creatives who defined and enriched the city’s cultural landscape. For decades, New Orleans musicians struggled to make financial ends meet, a problem that didn’t immediately disappear upon their deaths. Many were buried in paupers’ cemeteries with no clear marker or indication of who was interred.
To better honor these talented individuals, the Barbarin family donated their opulent, 20-foot-tall burial space for musicians in need of a final resting place. Beginning in 2004, the tomb was restored by Friends of New Orleans Cemeteries, outfitted with a freshly forged iron cross and blue note, and saw its first non-Barbarin musician interred there. To this day, six of the 18 vaults in the tomb are reserved for “culture bearers,” a title conferred on individuals who have significantly contributed to New Orleans’ rich heritage. To visit the New Orleans Musicians Tomb for yourself, plan a trip to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Our expert reservations team and tour guides are always excited to swap stories and tidbits about the lives of the city’s former inhabitants. Give us a call or visit our website today!
