Jazz in the Pass

By: Dan Ellis

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The first "Jazz in the Pass" was held on May 8, 1999 as one of many events during Pass Christian’s Tricentennial celebration. The mission then, and is now, to show support and appreciation of the community's' heritage. Jazz in the Pass emanates the historic musical legacies as put forth by Capt. John Handy, saxophone; Joe B. Jackson, pianist; and the Watson Brothers' Band, who were all from this community. The festival has grown with each year, with the potential of becoming a major event. The "Jazz in the Pass" mission is to continue celebrating our heritage with the emphasis on the joy of music, which is a universal language that instinctively encourages community spirit. This very festive and family oriented festival introduces and encourages our community students to engage with all types of instruments and music. Capt. John Handy, a Black man with roots in Pass Christian, became internationally famous for his performances with his alto sax. At his funeral in 1970, Harold DeJean, head of the Olympia Brass Band, echoed out, “We come to lay him down right!” The ritual is a tradition for New Orleans old musicians that seldom varies. The band lead the hearse in a somber funereal march to the cemetery, playing hymns all along the way. The lead trumpet rolled out the first notes of “Closer Walk With Thee.” Then they let loose with a sprightly march as they came away from the grave, blaring lively Dixieland tunes. The trumpets aimed heavenward, clarinets playing lower register, and the trombones flamed like burnished gold. The mourners strutted and trucked all along the band route. Friends had come from as far as England and as near as around the corner – also in tribute were the bells from other churches in the city that began ringing – “there were the sounds of music everywhere.