Having observed and danced with New Orleans' benevolent societies . . .

Having observed and danced with New Orleans' benevolent societies . . .
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

For me the second line is a deeply-felt mode of emotional expression. Having watched many Crescent City parades during my youth and salad days I have internalized the spirit of the New Orleans benevolent society funeral march, which is the chief source for the jazz line rituals. Once upon a time in the 80's I even danced in the street crowd following an African-American burial society on their way to the graveyard.
After all my practice and observation and gathering of background this was the fruition of a long-held dream state.