In this behind the scenes documentary, Liberty Brass Band performs a freshly minted funeral dirge for the 2015 Smithsonian Folkways release New Orleans Brass Bands: Through the Streets of the City. At the time of recording, Dr. Michael White's composition, based on traditional styles, was so new that he hadn't yet named it "Liberty Funeral March."

For more than a century, the signature sound of New Orleans has been the brass band — at once a source of celebration, collective expression, and community pride. New Orleans Brass Bands: Through the Streets of the City, brings together for the first time in one recording three musical generations that represent three dominant styles of brass bands. The 15-track, newly recorded collection spans the full spectrum of New Orleans brass band music, both as it exists today and extending back through the tradition’s history. Featured are the classic sound of the Liberty Brass Band, the modern-yet-traditional Treme Brass Band, and the funk, rap, and “bounce” influenced Hot 8 Brass Band. Together, they offer a dynamic portrait of this vibrant and distinctively American tradition.

Watch the Liberty Brass Band share their classic New Orleans sound with a performance of their new song "Liberty Funeral March," one of six Liberty Brass Band songs to appear on New Orleans Brass Bands: Through the Streets of the City, alongside recordings by Hot 8 Brass Band and Treme Brass Band. Listen to a sneak preview here and read more about the album here.