Skip to main content
The Folger Spotlight

ENCORES: Jazz Funeral for Shakespeare (2016)

Folger ENCORES, red theater seats fading into darkness
Folger ENCORES, red theater seats fading into darkness

Folger Public Programs is pleased to present ENCORES, a weekly online series highlighting past performances and recalling the rich history of programming on the historic Folger stage. As many arts and cultural institutions remain closed during this time, these ENCORES provide a way to connect and revisit the breadth of Folger offerings with a wider audience.


ENCORES presents

“The Bourbon Street Parade”
Composed by Paul Barbarin
Performed by the Liberty Brass Band
Led by Dr. Michael White
Performed as part of the Free Folger Friday: Jazz Funeral for Shakespeare
October 7, 2016

To hear the full performance, visit us on SoundCloud.

Special thanks to Stuart Rose, who made possible the exhibition of Shakespeare’s First Folio at Tulane University, part of the 2016 Folger-wide program, The Wonder of Will.

Read the introduction by clarinetist and band leader Dr. Michael White:

Hello and welcome to Folger ENCORES. I’m Dr. Michael White and I’m happy to speak with you today. The Folger has been sharing selections from their plays, music, talks, and readings with you in this ENCORES series.

This week, we are bringing you a piece from the Jazz Funeral for Shakespeare that the Liberty Brass Band, which I lead and also play clarinet in, performed at the Folger. This concert served as a final moment in a yearlong celebration, led by the Folger Shakespeare Library, marking the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. What better way to note a passing than with an authentic New Orleans style jazz funeral?

When the Folger brought one of Shakespeare’s First Folios to put on display at Tulane University, the Liberty Brass Band came together in our hometown of New Orleans to celebrate the occasion. Later that year, we were invited to Washington DC to recreate this magic performance at the Folger.

Right now you’re going to hear one of the most popular songs in all New Orleans music, “The Bourbon Street Parade,” which was composed by the great drummer Paul Barbarin, who was the uncle of one of our band members, trombonist Lucien Barbarin.

Please be sure to join us again for these weekly episodes of ENCORES, highlighting all that the Folger has to offer. Thank you.


Encores LogoCheck back each Friday for a new “from the archives” performance, introduced by some of our favorite artists, showcasing the best of Folger TheatreFolger ConsortO.B. Hardison Poetry, and lectures.