Harold Dudley was the Grand Marshal for the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club from 1974 until his retirement 30 years later. His role, like that of all grand marshals in the city’s jazz funeral tradition, was to convey the emotions of the moment to the onlookers at the beginning and the end of the funeral procession. Dudley is in the pantheon of grand marshals because he was a master at representing the solemnity of the occasion.  In his obituary he was called, the grand marshal of them all.”

photo credit- James Dylan Stansbury

Because of his standing in the community, hundreds of people came out to pay their respects including over 100 members of the Zulu club, resplendent in their matching yellow blazers and black hats. The funeral also drew a number of community leaders including Ashton Ramsey, whose bicycle (seen above) was decorated to commemorate the legendary man’s life.

While the service was being held in St. James Methodist Church on Ursulines Avenue, the non-religious mingled and shared their reminiscences about Dudley along with the general chitchat that occurs whenever the second line community gathers together. The members of the Free Agents Brass Band hung out on the sidewalk and waited for the signal to strike up the band.

photo credit- James Dylan Stansbury

When the moment was at hand, the leadership of the Zulu club, each identified with his title embroidered on his sash, lined up on either side of the walkway from the church. The band began playing the slowest of dirges and the men gently swayed in unison from side to side with heads bowed and hats in hand. The current Grand Marshal led the way out of the church through the assembled club members followed by family members and finally the deceased himself. The band continued the dirge as the casket was placed into the hearse.

photo credit- James Dylan Stansbury

The band began slowly walking out Ursulines Avenue and the Zulu club members formed a procession. Each held his hat in dignified fashion as they walked in the slow, half step style that is central to the jazz funeral tradition. With over 100 members, the column, which had four men across each row, stretched back over 100 yards. As they marched in unison- half step with the right foot, half step with the left- the entire procession swayed like an undulating wave to the gentle cadence of “A Closer Walk With Thee.”

photo credit- James Dylan Stansbury

At the end of the massive procession was the hearse containing the remains of Harold Dudley. In keeping with the age-old traditions, the pallbearers accompanied the body, each keeping one white-gloved hand constantly in contact with the hearse. After several blocks playing the solemn sounds, the band began playing more uptempo numbers and the Zulu members began dancing in the more frenetic style typically associated with second line parades. The mood was celebratory from the moment the funeral turned onto Orleans Avenue and passed by the iconic Dooky Chase Restaurant and it remained up beat for the full length of the avenue.

photo credit- James Dylan Stansbury

The solemnity of the occasion returned in full force as the procession made the turn onto N. Broad Street. The club members lined up on either side of the street and the grand marshal began the slow walk that leads to the final ritual of the jazz funeral- the cutting loose of the body.

photo credit- James Dylan Stansbury

As the hearse passed through the assembled members, many reached out and laid hands on the vehicle in a final show of respect for the deceased. The music was slow and mournful and many in the crowd could be seen reacting to the emotional moment.

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photo credit- James Dylan Stansbury

Following the long, slow march through the line of krewe members, the band began pulsing with energy again as they sent Dudley on his final journey to his final resting place in Resthaven Memorial Park. He was 80 years old and is survived by his companion and four grandchildren.

photo credit- James Dylan Stansbury

REST IN PEACE