Just a Closer Walk

The tradition of a ‘Jazz Funeral’ is very much part of the culture of New Orleans. Typically a Jazz Funeral begins with a slow march (headed by a brass band) as the deceased is processed by friends and family to the cemetery. Throughout the march the band plays somber hymns and dirges. Once the deceased has been buried or ‘cut loose’, the music becomes more joyful, uplifting and even raucous as those that are present celebrate the life of the deceased. At this point others join in the proceeding by following the funeral party and dance along (known as the ‘second line’).

"Just a Closer Walk with Thee" is a traditional gospel song that has been performed and recorded bymany artists in both instrumental or vocal form. “Just A Closer Walk" is perhaps the mostfrequently played number in the hymn and dirge section of traditional New Orleans jazz funeral music. The title and lyrics of the song allude to the Biblical passage from 2 Corinthians 5:7 which states, "We walk by faith, not by sight" and James 4:8, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." The precise source of the work was unknown until quite recently. Circumstantial evidence strongly suggested it dated back to southern African-American churches of the nineteenth century, prior to the American Civil War, as some personal African-American histories recalling "slaves singing as they worked in the fields a song about walking by the Lord's side."

Jock McKenzie studied trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester where he was a joint recipient of the college’s concerto prize. From 1987 Jock based his musical career in Hampshire, working as a freelance trumpeter, conductor, composer, arranger and brass teacher. Jock is a former Professional Leader (Brass) for Hampshire Music Service and was the Director of the Hampshire County Youth Band from 2004 until 2020. It is the mix of all of these musical roles that has led to Jock establishing a reputation as a leading creator of brass music resources, particularly in the field of education and brass ensemble music. In 2020 Jock was awarded an “Honorary Fellowship of the University of Winchester” for services to music education. Currently Jock is working part-time for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; providing tuition for their Brass Teaching Module. In 2024 Jock was given the award for “Services to Youth” by Brass Bands England.