Marching bands unite in tribute to Brandon Franklin, slain at 22

May 24, 2010 6:08 PM

'If I die,' Brandon Franklin had said, 'I want all the bands at my funeral.' As Franklin’s family filed out of the eastern New Orleans church and the hearse waited, nearly 300 current and former band members performed a final salute. Via.
posted by ColdChef (32 comments total)

Tribute to TBC's Brandon Franklin: A Closer Walk With Thee & I'll Fly Away

After the funeral: The Second Line
posted by ColdChef at 6:10 PM on May 24, 2010

That's gorgeous.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:11 PM on May 24, 2010

𝄻
posted by Nothing... and like it at 6:17 PM on May 24, 2010

damn, that's the way to go out. Thanks for posting this.
posted by Wuggie Norple at 6:20 PM on May 24, 2010

22 years old.

.
posted by echolalia67 at 6:20 PM on May 24, 2010

God damn. If I die, I want all the bands to play for me.

I have got goosebumps, and I am crying. There is nothing like a brass band. Nothing at all.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:22 PM on May 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

Thanks for this little slice of New Orleans life, and death, ColdChef.

That Second Line clip, wow, they really start kicking it round the 2 minute mark. Jubilant musical wonderfulness.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:25 PM on May 24, 2010

Thanks for posting this.
posted by brundlefly at 6:32 PM on May 24, 2010

So very cool. Simultaneously the most unfortunate and fortunate end to a man's life.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:53 PM on May 24, 2010

Now that's a send off ... Extraordinary.
posted by carter at 6:55 PM on May 24, 2010

utterly heartbreaking and beautiful. thanks for the post.
posted by ms.jones at 7:03 PM on May 24, 2010

Talk about shouting to the Heavens-- Man, I guess so. Amazing and beautiful.
posted by pjern at 7:26 PM on May 24, 2010

That second line drumline is on fire.
posted by vibrotronica at 7:29 PM on May 24, 2010

Excuse me while I go find a tissue. I think there's something in my eyes.

Thank you, ColdChef.
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:31 PM on May 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

Visceral. That version of "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" may be the most sobbing, painful, angry, amazing thing I've ever heard.
posted by availablelight at 7:45 PM on May 24, 2010 [5 favorites]

The Crescent City does it end to end, man. Nice way to "raise some hell as we roll along".
posted by Ogre Lawless at 7:59 PM on May 24, 2010

The counties in GA are cutting music and arts programs left and right to meet the budget shortfalls. As a music teacher, this video justs floors me. What an influence this man must have had in his short career. What an amazing tribute. I hope that all his students continue to play and realize what a gift they have been given.

RIP Mr. Franklin


Wow. Just Wow.
posted by pearlybob at 8:02 PM on May 24, 2010

Beautiful, and heartbreaking. Thanks, ColdChef - wonderful post.
posted by rtha at 8:12 PM on May 24, 2010

I would settle for just one brass band at my funeral.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 8:28 PM on May 24, 2010

Now, when I die, please bury me
In my high-top Stetson hat
Put a twenty-dollar gold piece on my watch chain,
So all the boys know I died standing pat

An' give me six crap shooting pall bearers,
Let a chorus girl sing me a song.
Put a jazz band at the head of my hearse wagon
So we can raise hell as we roll along
posted by deacon_blues at 8:38 PM on May 24, 2010 [9 favorites]

Tribute to TBC's Brandon Franklin: A Closer Walk With Thee & I'll Fly Away

Incredibly touching.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 9:20 PM on May 24, 2010

Walker student Azania Briggs said she marveled at the "precise, soulful and beautiful way Mr. Franklin played the saxophone."

But just as important, Franklin gave her the gift of musical literacy.

Briggs played an instrument for years without the ability to read music. When she asked different musicians for help, they inevitably played a whole song for her, beat out the rhythm or hummed a tune. But only Franklin took the time to break it down into pieces, showing her how to read the notes to "Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa.

"It was like uncovering ancient ruins, finding a trunk full of gold," Briggs said. "This was the best gift anyone has given me."

Recently, Briggs made plans to tell Franklin of her gratitude, but she never had the chance.

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posted by _dario at 9:31 PM on May 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

.
posted by strixus at 10:32 PM on May 24, 2010

My sister-in-law's Facebook status late last week was "My career as a music teacher is over." I think it was end-of-year performance stress. I hope that's all it was, because this shows what a difference a good music teacher can make.

What a loss for the TBC Brass Band, too.
posted by EvaDestruction at 3:39 AM on May 25, 2010

I don't often post on Metafilter, but listening to that music sent shivers all the way down my spine and gave me a real sense of their loss. What a hell of a way to be sent off.

Thank you for posting this, ColdChef.
posted by Silverdragonanon at 4:49 AM on May 25, 2010

.
posted by MrBobaFett at 4:56 AM on May 25, 2010

I've got goosebumps.

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posted by nevafeva at 5:13 AM on May 25, 2010

It is an odd thing, reading an obituary for one that shares your name.

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posted by bfranklin at 8:50 AM on May 25, 2010 [1 favorite]

That was incredible. I'm not one to tear up often, but a jazz funeral is a beautiful tribute.
posted by cloeburner at 9:09 AM on May 25, 2010

My brother told me that though he might not be able to live in New Orleans, he wants to die there. I've heard of the parades and festivities, but damn did that one video convey a huge amount of love and support for the life of a friend. Thank you.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:22 AM on May 25, 2010

Thank you ColdChef.
posted by ltracey at 7:09 PM on May 25, 2010

This was beautiful and terrible and beautiful. Thank you, ColdChef.

♪
posted by perilous at 8:28 AM on May 26, 2010