Dinerral Shavers - In Memorium
I was privileged - and privileged is the only word I can think of - to experience the music of Dinerral Shavers, snare drummer, composer, educator and community leader.
On December 17, 2006, a friend and I joined the Big Nine Social and Pleasure Club Second Line and marched alongside the Hot 8 Brass Band. On my way to the event, on a whim, I grabbed two disposable video cameras and we each shot short clips having no idea we were documenting one of Shavers’ final public performances.
I do remember though clearly thinking throughout the entire march how much I loved what the drummer was doing and you can see and hear from these short, rough clips, he had that effect on everyone.
Pardon the poor video and shortness of the segments…
Dinneral Shavers - Rest in Peace - 1984-2007
Additional links:
The official Hot 8 Brass Band web site
MySpace Hot 8 Brass Band site - includes music files
Video featuring the Hot 8 Brass Band
Photos from Dinneral Shaver’s funeral
Here’s how you send a contribution to the family of Dinneral Shavers:
1. Call or write the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund
2. Specify that you want your contribution to go to the Dinneral Shavers Fund.
3. To contribute by phone, call: 1-800-957-4026
4. To contribute by mail, specify that the donation is for the Dinneral Shavers Fund and send your check to:
New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund
828 Royal Street #833
New Orleans, LA 70116
and help us spread the word about New Orleans
January 10th, 2007 at 12:52 am
Ken,
Thanks for your condolences, your video, and your blog. I just returned to New Orleans after six months “outside.” I came back to a dozen murders in half-a-dozen days. People’s eyes are weary — they’all cried out. People with anger and hatred and sorrow in their eyes. It’s as grim as it’s ever been here. There’s nothing to do except to keep telling what we see and keep hoping to see a difference.
With All Best Wishes,
STEVE O’KEEFE
April 13th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
[…] How could anyone have suspected on that day in January of 2007 as we marched to show our outrage as a City, our outrage over the murders Dinneral Shavers and Helen Hill as well as countless others that we would find ourselves sending another Warrior Drummer Home. […]