Who’s in the Bunk
The band honoring a legend is becoming one
William “Bunk” Johnson may have lived in New Iberia, played with orchestras traveling throughout the South and in Jazz clubs across the nation — he may have influenced Louis Armstrong as reported on the historical marker outside of The Sliman Theater near the Bayou Teche Museum, but — chances are, he never considered that more than 100 years later, his influence would reach into so many lives along the Bayou Teche and elsewhere. And if the dreams of the members in the Bunk Johnson Brazz Band have their way, a new generation of musicians will follow them with his legacy.
“Dwalyn brought his horn and played when we had bands come in from New Orleans for the first Bunk Johnson Jazz Festival in 1998,” said Judge Charles L. Porter, one of the organizers of the Bunk Johnson Jazz, Arts & Heritage Festival. “The Brazz Band is his brain child. The Brazz Band is our ambassadors, their music is contagious and infective for others.”
Attendees of Beneath the Balconies in the fall, the Spring Jazz Brunch at The Shadows, the annual literary festival opening reception and any number of private parties, weddings and events where a Cajun good time is required, know the entertainment starts with the Bunk Johnson Brazz Band. They come dressed in red shirts and everybody knows the music will have pep, but individually, they are not well known — unless you are a music student at one of the area schools.
Members Touching Lives
The manager of the band is Dwalyn Jackson, trumpet player and leader. His responsibilities before music are as principal at Anderson Middle School the past four years, assistant for seven prior years and 14 years as a band director at various schools including the last stint at Westgate High School. It was there he taught three of the members of the Brazz Band.
“The hardest thing for me to do is to go to a marching festival or sit in a band room and listen. It’s hard not to say something. I do get a chance when bands get ready for festival. I critique, a second opinion,” said Jackson, born and raised in New Iberia. He is a graduate of New Iberia Senior High and the University of Louisiana Lafayette.
With his brother in the band, two other brothers and the three students he taught, it’s easy to see why these guys have so much fun playing together — audiences can’t help but have a good time.
“We don’t just do the Brazz Band, we play banquets, Jazz brunch, R&B, the Zydeco Festival and fundraisers,” said Jackson who also performs with his brother as a duo for restaurants playing KC & the Sunshine Band tunes all the way to “In the Mood,” depending on the occasion.
The motto for the band is “Music for all occasions” and Jackson said the event planner picks the occasion and they will adapt — like the wedding they will be playing in New Orleans next weekend — the wedding of Natalie DeCourt and Caleb Wyatt Guillory. Special songs are being rehearsed.
Sounding the Horns
The nepotism in the Brazz Band includes a former instructor of Jackson when he was at NISH. Michael Bradley has been playing music since he was 13 years old living in Jeanerette. Now 53, he said in 5th grade he wanted to play trombone but you had to take the instrument you were given — he’s the band’s saxophone man. During the workday he drives for Coca-cola. Being local affords him the opportunity to play again. While driving cross country for 25 years, he laid down his playing except to keep up his chops. Now he also plays regularly with the worship band at Faith Cathedral.
Bradley said he learned about Bunk Johnson from his mother-in-law who lived down Pershing Street from the musician.
“Bunk Johnson tried to teach my oldest brother how to play the trumpet,” Bradley said. “Not until 2010 when asked to become part of the band did that kick in.”
The band director at Anderson Middle School is a former student of Jackson’s at Westgate. Andre Colbert started playing trombone in the 5th grade at Sugarland Elementary School before Westgate and moved onto Southern University where he was part of the marching band. He said elementary age students are the ones that become interested in playing music, but often there are not enough instruments for them to play or at least not the one they would choose. He also plays tuba.
Another student who grew as a musician under Jackson at Westgate, before attending UL Lafayette and joining the Brazz Band, is Francis Williams. His brother got him interested in playing trumpet. Williams is the one that remained.
Music is a part of his life as is stocking groceries at Super1 Foods, but his degree is in industrial engineering with a minor in business and math. The disciplines learned in music are an important part of achievement and Williams is not disappointed in waiting for the right opportunity.
“Mr. J” is still the name Jamal Broussard calls his former instructor at Westgate now band leader. Broussard said they made him play the tuba in 4th grade. Even though he wanted to be in the band, being the big kid in class earned him the role of tuba player and he took a liking to it.
“I feel like one of the good ones, but when I recognize talent, I try to collaborate,” said Jamal. “(Playing with the Brazz Band) is like a band of brothers. We like what we do and it’s fun.”
They make the atmosphere change whenever they start to play. It breaks the monotony of life, one of the members said.
Switching Places
The core group of musicians are versatile and can jump from instrument to instrument in some cases, and at times depending on the need, they have substitutes. To hear them talk about their experiences explains a lot about instrument diversity.
“I started singing in church choir out of the womb,” said Andre Rochelle, snare drum and percussionist for the band. “Both my parents sang and met at St. Edwards so we were born into music.”
He started on saxophone but moved onto drums and percussion playing at NISH. He’s still growing musically working on a Music Education degree at UL Lafayette. Rochelle also substitute teaches and is an instructor with several directors around the area including Erath, Delcambre and his alma mater. Like all the members in the group, Rochelle said he wants to give back and that is what inspires him to teach.
Unavailable for commentary were the two brothers of the interviewed. Kevin Bradley plays base drum and Murray Jackson plays trombone regularly with the Brazz Band.
What’s Next?
Already beyond the planning stages is the Bunk Johnson Creative Arts Academy Inc., established in July 2017. Porter and Jackson are listed with the Louisiana Secretary of State Office as agents. Officers of the nonprofit include Johnson’s granddaughter Gloria Andrews and promoter Gilbert “Doc” Thomas Jr. Additional directors are Anthony Green, Roy Julien, Mona Jackson, Nichole Joseph Broussard, Angela Blanchard and Lisa Xangsayasane.
Jackson said the wheels have already started turning to pass on what they know and to get a music foundation built for students interested in playing. Key to their success will be instruments, which Jackson has already started assembling. They want to start with a big band sound and eventually have a Jazz concert band as well. Anyone with unused instruments in their closet that need to be played again can contact any of the organizers.
The next time to hear the Brazz Band in New Iberia will be April 6 on the balcony at The Shadows and on the grounds at the opening evening of the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival. The second line is an attendee favorite. The Bunk Johnson Festival is May 19 through 26 with several events planned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the festival.