Giving Back: Take musical journey through African American history in Reserve
Published 12:24 am Wednesday, March 15, 2017
- Organizers and Parish leaders celebrate a ribbon cutting Saturday at the “SoulRiver: A Musical Journey Through African American History" attraction in Reserve.
RESERVE — There are many hidden gems sprinkled throughout the River Parishes.
One of them is trying to shine a little brighter.
Since 2012, the Riverlands Christian Center Church in Reserve has been open for tours and special occasions, offering visitors a glimpse of what life was like during the Jim Crowe era, with restricted seating for African Americans separate from the whites.
Visitors to the SoulRiver musical exhibit, located on the walls of the historic Riverlands Christian Center Church in Reserve, are treated to a slide show presentation depicting the history of African American music.
Now, the historical landmark hopes to educate even more people about the musical contributions made by African Americans in general and those from the River Parishes in particular.
“SoulRiver: A Musical Journey Through African American History,” opened quietly in 2015. Saturday, it made a joyful noise with a launch party and ribbon cutting attended by Parish leaders and several officials from the tourism industry.
The tour is open at The Historic Riverlands Church, 123 Redemption Way in Reserve.
“They were very impressed,” said curator Rita Perrilloux, whose husband Steven is the pastor of the church.
The exhibit, which is displayed on large placards throughout the church, takes visitors on a musical journey following the history of African American music from its roots in slavery, through jazz to today’s hip hop music.
It also highlights the contributions made by local musicians, including bandleaders Edward “Kid” Ory of LaPlace, Edgard’s Dave Bartholomew and singer/songwriter Charley Julien, who performed under the stage name “Jimmy Jules.”
“First we had the historic church and now we have this,” Perrilloux said, adding the funding came from a grant. “We got the grant money and decided to put it into a music exhibit.”
Recognition of local jazz luminaries like Kid Ory are part of the education at Historic Riverlands Church.
John McCusker, author of the book “Creole Trombone: Kid Ory and the Early Years of Jazz,” said the exhibit should help preserve the area’s historic musical roots.
“I think it’s wonderful and I would certainly say, long overdue,” he said. “Music history is incredibly important because it’s uniquely American culture. The biggest obstacle in the way of commemorating and recognizing history, as well as the places associated with it, is overcoming the lack of knowledge about those particular things.
People have to be aware of actual history, not what they think happened or what their parents told them.
“If you come to St. John Parish looking for an Ory marker you will find one, but it’s to the two brothers. You won’t find one to Kid Ory.”
Perrilloux said the historic church has welcomed visitors from all parts of the world over the years without much fanfare.
“We have seen hundreds,” Perrilloux said.
“Now we hope to have thousands.”
The Historic Riverlands Church holds regular church services at 10 a.m. on Sundays at 123 Redemption Way in Reserve.
Tours must be scheduled in advance by calling 985-210-6621.
The cost is $15 per person, $12 for students.
