Hey Blake,
This time of year, we love hearing those four notes on the trumpet that kick off the “Second Line” song. Only recently did I see it identified as “Joe Avery’s Piece.” Who was he and what’s the connection?
Joe “Kid” Avery Sr. was a jazz trombone player and bandleader born in Waggaman in 1892.
According to Gene Tomko’s Encyclopedia of Louisiana Musicians, Avery performed with the Tulane Orchestra near the turn of the 20th century. He later toured with Evan Thomas’ Black Eagles and led his own band in the 1930s and 1940s. He also performed with the Young Tuxedo Brass Band and Eureka Brass Band…