During the pre Super Bowl pep rally Second Line held in New Orleans on Saturday February 6, 2010 I had the chance to take  a few great pictures of “Uncle” Lionel Batiste while he was at the French Market with the Treme Brass Band. New Orleans is full of characters, but Uncle Lionel definitely stands out! Somebody…I forgot who, said about him, “we gonna miss him, when WE die!”

Look out for  the new HBO series Treme which will premiere on April 11 2010 and will feature among man local New Orleans musicians, the Treme Brass Band!

“Uncle” Lionel Batiste is a jazz and blues musician and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Born on February 1st, 1931, he began in music career at the age of 11 playing bass drum with the Square Deal Social & Pleasure Club. He is currently the bass drummer, vocalist and assistant leader of the Treme Brass Band; he is known for his kazoo playing as well. He also sings, and has recorded a cd as a vocalist. Besides inspiring younger musicians with his playing, he serves as a role model to many of them: trumpeter Kermit Ruffins calls Batiste his “total influence,” saying that Batiste “taught [him] how to act, how to dress, how to feel about life.” Internationally, Batiste has served as leader of the daily Moldejazz parade since 2000. He is arguably New Orleans most loved uncle!

Uncle Lionel Batiste (this square photo is also available as a Canvas Gallery Wrap).

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Uncle Lionel Batiste (click image to view large)

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Benny Jones (a square version of this is also available as a Canvas Gallery Wrap).

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Grand Marshal Oswald Jones Second Line in New Orleans with Treme Brass Band (He was Grand Marshal in the Second Line shown in the the first episode of HBO Treme).

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Michiel Huisman as Sonny and Lucia Micarelli as Annie on HBO Treme second line set

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Brass band on the HBO Treme Second Line (New Orleans)

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Second Lining on the HBO Treme shoot in New Orleans

On January 30, 2010 I attended a killer Second Line in Treme, New Orleans. Although it was very cold  (for Louisiana standards that is) I had the opportunity to take some killer and unique shots while HBO was filming for their new tv series: Treme. To view all the shots and/or purchase high quality prints, please visit my other site www.nolaPIC.com. and If you are not familiar with HBO ‘s Treme please read below.

If  you lived in New Orleans, you would have known by now, that soon another motion pictures will be added to the long list of the many others that have already been shot in the Big Easy. Treme, is the name of the new HBO series, co-created by “The Wire” David Simon, (among its writers is also New Orlenian Tom Piazza) takes place three months after Hurricane Katrina, where the residents of New Orleans, including musicians, chefs, Mardi Gras Indians and ordinary New Orleanians try to rebuild their lives, their homes and their unique culture in the aftermath of the 2005 hurricane. The series is scheduled to premiere April 11th 2010 on HBO. The video below lives me salivating for more, it says so much without saying much at all…oh and the music…Does Wynton Marsalis ring a bell?!

The following images below were taken on the set of HBO’s Treme first season, and while I wasn’t actually working for HBO or the Discovery Channel (next gallery below Treme’s) I’m displaying them here to show that if I can get the job done without even being a crew member when it’s even harder to be out of the way and yet, manage to cature the action … I can get the job done period .

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The Second line to honor Michael Jackson, held on Sunday, June 28, in New Orleans (St. Bernard Ave.), and sponsored by the Revolution Social Aid & Pleasure Club was so packed, not like anything I ever seen before! It was a lot of fun; and, although the heat was horrible, they were people dancing every freaking where! Dancing from top of cars to high billboards and bus stops! New Orleans own Kermit Ruffins was there too. Click here to see the Second Line in New Orleans. All images taken with Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM I figured as hot at it was and since I had to walk a lot the most important thing was to be light! I didn’t regret that decision at all BTW.

If you’d like to purchase an open edition high quality photo print of Kermit Ruffins or of the Michael Jackson Second Line please click here.  Available in 8″x12″, 10″x15″, 16″x24″, and 20″x30″! To see  more New Orleans photography and purchase high quality prints please visit www.nolaPIC.com