Four Men Keep a Century-Old New Orleans Music Tradition Alive

Four men performed four-part harmony in Mid City, New Orleans, just off Canal Street on a recent evening. The group, Southern Tradition, has operated since 1999. They describe their work as a way to maintain friendship through a traditional American art form.

Karl Hansen, who sings bass, noted that the primary requirement for membership is a lack of embarrassment. He advised singers to keep going. The quartet consists of four individuals with distinct professional backgrounds. Hansen is a doctor. Hansen Eschette works as a medical technician and sings tenor. Joe Jacquat is a civil engineer who handles the baritone part. Johnnie Oufnac, the only actual barber in the group, sings lead.

Hansen stated that performing together for a long period helps the members harmonize and anticipate each other's musical movements. Barbershop quartets have existed for more than a century. While the style is global, New Orleans maintains a strong connection to the genre. Zachary Matherne, an award-winning singer, called the city the nexus of basic American music. He cited local history to support this claim.

Matherne pointed to Louis Armstrong as an example. He noted that Armstrong participated in a vocal quartet before he began playing a horn. Matherne also performs with a larger vocal group called NOLA Vox. That group spawned The Dreamers, a coed barbershop quartet. Fans of the style view female voices as a welcome addition to the traditionally male format.

Sarah Todd, a singer, said it is fun to see where one stacks up against others. Matt Ridley agreed, noting that women are needed to hit high notes. He added that while some men can reach those pitches, their sound is less attractive. The singers in these local groups perform for love rather than money. New Orleans has a history of hosting large international competitions. Matherne identified the most recent such event in the city as taking place in 1992 at the Superdome.

For local quartets, the focus remains on harmony and camaraderie rather than competition. Ridley described the experience as beautiful when members learn their parts well and the sound comes together. The groups rehearse every couple of weeks. In a city built on music, these ensembles continue to provide a place for their harmony.