Tradition Is a Temple
| Tradition Is a Temple | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Darren Hoffman |
| Produced by |
Darren Hoffman Kristen McEntyre Patrick Stafford |
| Written by | Darren Hoffman |
| Starring |
“The King of Treme” Shannon Powell Jason Marsalis Roland Guerin Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony Lucien Barbarin Steve Masakowski Ed Petersen Chuck Perkins The Baby Boyz Brass Band The Treme Brass Band |
| Narrated by | Chuck Perkins |
| Cinematography | James Laxton |
| Edited by |
Darren Hoffman Benedict Kasulis Ryland Jones |
| Distributed by | Self Distributed |
Release dates |
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Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | Under US$ 100,000 |
Tradition Is a Temple is an American documentary film about New Orleans jazz culture and modernization’s effect on American traditions.
Plot
Contemporary New Orleans jazz musicians discuss their childhood introductions to music in Baptist churches and through local traditions like second line (parades) and Jazz Funerals, and the role of Danny Barker in keeping traditional New Orleans Jazz alive through the 70’s and 80’s. Asking the artists point blank, director Darren Hoffman explores the potential “death” of traditional jazz through modernization and marginalization and its preservation through mentorship and the continuation of traditions that intrigue and inspire young people to play the music of previous generations.
Performances and Production
In addition to in depth personal interviews, Tradition is a Temple is composed of various multi-camera professional studio recordings. The performances were recorded by Steve Reynolds (sound engineer) at the University of New Orleans School of Music. The production took place completely post-Hurricane Katrina beginning in August 2006.