Four New Orleans professionals sustain barbershop harmony

Southern Tradition, a four-man barbershop quartet, performed four-part harmony on a recent evening just off Canal Street in Mid City. The group has operated since 1999, combining a traditional American art form with long-standing personal relationships among its members. The singers practice for the love of the craft rather than for financial gain.

The quartet consists of four men from distinct professional backgrounds who merge their skills into a single sound. Karl Hansen, a doctor, sings bass. Hansen Eschette, a medical technician, handles the tenor part. Joe Jacquat, a civil engineer, sings baritone. Johnnie Oufnac, the only member with a background in the barbershop industry, sings lead.

Hansen noted that the primary requirement for the group is a willingness to perform without embarrassment. He stated that the members' long history together allows them to harmonize effectively and anticipate each other's musical movements. This cohesion is a key component of their ability to maintain precision in their performances.

Barbershop quartets have a history spanning more than a century, with strong roots in New Orleans. Zachary Matherne, an award-winning singer, described the city as a central point for basic American music. He pointed to local icon Louis Armstrong, who sang in a vocal quartet before he began playing the trumpet. Matherne also performs with NOLA Vox, a larger vocal group that produced The Dreamers, a coed quartet.

The local scene includes both traditional male groups and newer mixed-voice ensembles. Sarah Todd, a member of a local group, said the competition element is enjoyable. Matt Ridley, who performs with The Dreamers, stated that female voices are necessary to reach the higher notes in their arrangements, noting that male voices in those ranges are less appealing to the ear.

New Orleans has a history of hosting large international vocal competitions. Matherne identified the 1992 event in the Superdome as the most recent international gathering held in the city. For local groups like Southern Tradition, the focus remains on camaraderie and musical precision rather than large-scale competition.

Ridley described the moment when all parts align as a beautiful and amazing experience. The members of Southern Tradition and similar local groups join voices every couple of weeks. Their continued presence maintains a specific type of harmony within the city's musical community.