Tradition Is a Temple: The Modern Masters of New Orleans

Tradition Is a Temple: The Modern Masters of New Orleans is an insightful 2013 documentary anchored in the vibrant, varied, and rhythmic world of New Orleans. Directed and produced by Darren Hoffman, the film inventively merges biographical elements, stellar performances, and interviews to appreciate the legendary lives and contributions of New Orleans' musicians to the global music scene. These musicians, symbolizing the heart and soul of the city, include seasoned artists such as Lucien Barbarin, Eric T. Calhoun Jr., and Topsy Chapman among others.

The city of New Orleans is a confluence of diverse cultures and traditions, well-known for its vibrant music scene. At the heart of this scene is the distinctive music form of jazz, characterizing the resilience, vivacity, and creativity of the city's inhabitants. Tradition Is a Temple delves into the intriguing journey of preserving and nurturing this unique music style, with the city's talented musicians dedicated to guarding and yet evolving its rich heritage.

The documentary offers a close look into the lives of these gifted musicians, who are not just the guardians of this valuable musical culture, but indeed its primary driving force. In Tradition Is a Temple, we delve deep into the world of Lucien Barbarin, a world-renowned trombonist famous for his soulful performances. We also get to witness the stirring rhythms of pianist Eric T. Calhoun Jr., who has dedicated his life to perfecting and promoting the New Orleans Jazz sound. We are invited into the melodious world of Topsy Chapman, a vocalist whose soulful voice and strong influence on New Orleans' music have been capturing audiences for decades.

Beyond the musical performances, Tradition Is a Temple offers a profoundly humanistic understanding of these artists. It captures the musicians' candid reflections on their individual experiences in a rapidly changing world, their struggles and triumphs in a society that often undervalues their art, their fierce commitment to preserve their cultural heritage, and their undying love for their city. Their deeply resonating narratives provide a broad window into the resilience of New Orleans and its inhabitants and the unyielding spirit that continues to feed the city’s cultural soul.

Through its engaging narrative, powerful storytelling, and compelling visuals, Tradition Is a Temple effectively transports the audience to the vibrant streets of New Orleans. It focuses on how these musicians, as modernday custodians of the New Orleans music scene, constantly strive to keep their tradition alive, yet never shy away from necessary adaptations in their art.

Drawing attention to the evolving nature of tradition and celebrating the human will that strives to preserve it against all odds, Tradition Is a Temple honours the passion of these artists for their craft. It showcases their efforts to share and spread the universal language of music by being part of public teaching events, live performances, and diverse music-centric festivals. These efforts not only underline their commendable dedication to their craft but also highlight the importance of collective human collaboration and mentorship for the preservation and nurture of art and culture.

Tradition Is a Temple, at its core, highlights the intrinsic link between tradition and improvisation in this critical art form. The documentary explores how these musicians navigate the fine balance of reverence for the past and innovation for the future. Indeed, tradition is depicted as a temple, a place of veneration, but not a static one. It is a dynamic sphere, always in flux, yet solidly grounded in its historical roots.

The guiding philosophy of this documentary does not restrict itself to New Orleans or its world of music. Instead, it can be seen as a universal testament to the human spirit's tendency to adapt, improvise, and evolve while simultaneously clinging onto its roots in times of change.

In its essence, Tradition Is a Temple: The Modern Masters of New Orleans is a captivating tribute to the city's music, its musicians, and the enduring power of human spirit and culture. It taps into the rhythmic beauty of New Orleans Jazz, drawing upon the hidden anecdotes and passions of the musicians behind its harmonious melodies. It is more than a music documentary; it is a homage to the spirit of New Orleans, its culture, its artists, and the collective beat that drives the city relentlessly forward.