New Orleans says goodbye to oldest working jazz musician

Thinking of your retirement plans? Spare a thought for a New Orleans trumpet legend who recently passed aged 103, just days after his birthday. Lionel Ferbos worked right to the end as a celebrated part of the fabric of the Crescent City music scene and was duly accorded a large, colourful and traditional funeral with brass bands, second line dancing and over 600 locals packed into his service with jazz singer John Boutté in full voice.

Despite his long innings Lionel believed he still had much he wanted to do. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu told of Ferbos' refusal to accept a doctor's assessment that athsma would prevent him playing the trumpet or any wind instrument, and about his work his hauling dirt in wheelbarrows way back in the time of the Great Depression from the lagoons dug in City Park.

A great life, well lived and well celebrated.