New Orleans Jazz Bands And Chinese Funeral Bands

A Western Funeral Band from New Orleans

Below: 

A Chinese funeral band from Singapore

Taken at Kim Yam Road, 1970.

                        

UP TO 1,300 VIEWS; 170+ LIKES; 40+ CHATS

As a child I remember street music in Singapore which comes from Chinese funeral processions. These funeral bands play melodies from both Chinese and English pops. One particular pop song that I can still recall, Today, (You're) Not Coming Home (Jin Tian Bu Hui Jia 今天不回家), has been played so many times at Chinese funeral street marches that it's been accepted as the unofficial theme song for the occasion 

Books from the US that discuss the history of jazz music claim that jazz bands began from dance bands or social orchestras. These were African American bands that played on the streets in New Orleans, U.S.A. officiating at funeral processions. They play solemn music on the way to the burial yard and hot jazz on the way back.

It is common knowledge in the 60s that some Singapore band boys who play in the night-clubs freelance and work as funeral musicians in the day. Again the parallel; New Orleans dance orchestras do not confine themselves to playing in the ballrooms but played at funerals. Nothing to be ashamed of because it's honest living. These funeral bands could comprise from eight members onwards and the instruments included trumpets, trombones, snare drums and cymbals.

The Chinese funeral bands have the same number of people with similar instruments. During a bigger and longer procession at a Chinese funeral (indicating the wealth of the deceased), more instruments could be used, like the larger bass drums and a tuba. When questioned why music is played during such a tear-jerking occasion, the band members explain that the noise drives evil spirits away. Comment?

Original article: Andy Lim.  

潮州大锣鼓, Grand funeral procession 

@ Simei Singapore.

YouTube Video from: tengcc

1.11.2022

Richard Lincoln from Facebook Nostalgic Singapore contributed this short article:

The Chinese associations funeral bands were called 'Kong Kuan' and the jazz bands were 'Ang Moh Kong Kuan'. The Kong Kuan would pay their respects positioned in front of the coffin at the wake just before the funeral proceeds.

There are no music sheets. Every instrument is played from memory. Drum, gongs, cymbals, wind instruments. There's a slow starting tempo which builds up into a faster one and goes soft and slow with the wind section. Then it goes up a notch or two in tempo that culminated in a rousing crescendo of all the instruments. I believe the 'symphony' takes about twenty minutes from start to finish. 

Remembering as best I can from childhood.  

3.11.2022.

Richard Rajoo, a good friend and a guitarist says:

Just to add, these *Kong Kuans* mainly belong to the Chinese Clan Associations... They will present the BRASS BAND to commemorate the passing of one of their members, families or fellow associates, to announce their own membership.

Friends from other *Kong Kuans* sometimes contribute their TROUPEs also *as a matter of pride* for the deceased family, thereby creating a big problem for the authorities, in the way of traffic congestion, at times ending in squabbles as to their band's parade positions in the final funeral procession; and all *as a matter of pride*.

Police permits are required. Sometimes, family members are not notified of appearance of guest bands... adding to the neighbourhood's din. 

Not all will appreciate the *tong tong chiang*.

**********

Image 2: National Heritage Board, Singapore. 

Image 1: http://www.allaboutjazz.com

Drum Master Slt Ben ban sian for Lay Teck Sia

YouTube Screen Shot from: TENGCC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ1_9XKSPtk