More than 100 people gathered in Treme on Monday (Dec. 30) to celebrate the life of longtime New Orleans brass band musician John “Prince” Gilbert. A saxophonist who most recently played with the Treme Brass Band, Gilbert died from cardiac arrest on Dec. 14. He was 66 years old.
Over a multi-decade career, Gilbert played in some of the city’s most renowned bands, including the Rebirth Brass Band, New Birth Brass Band and Hot 8 Brass Band. Gilbert’s son, Orlando Gilbert, organized Monday’s memorial by raising money on GoFundMe. Orlando Gilbert said his father helped create “some of the most impactful music to come out of New Orleans in the last century,” and thanked the community for contributing to the funeral fund.
Theris Valdery of the Black Feather Mardi Gras Indian tribe in full regalia outside of John “Prince” Gilbert’s funeral on Dec. 30, 2024. Credit: Safura Syed / Verite News 
Cedric “Coyote” Wiley of the Treme Brass Band performs in front of John Gilbert’s casket on Dec. 30, 2024, inside Charbonnet Funeral Home. Credit: Safura Syed / Verite News 
Janice Kimble, of the Treme Baby Dolls, dances inside Charbonnet Funeral Home on Dec. 30, 2024, during John Gilbert’s funeral. Credit: Safura Syed / Verite News 
Thaddeaus Ramsey of the Big 6 Brass Band stands outside Charbonnet Funeral Home on Dec. 30, 2024, before John Gilbert’s funeral procession. Credit: Safura Syed / Verite News 
Baby dolls Janice Kimble, Anita Oubre, Constance Jacobs and Joull Lee lead John Gilbert’s funeral procession down St. Philip Street on the morning of Dec. 30, 2024. Credit: Safura Syed / Verite News 
Orlando Gilbert, John Gilbert’s son, plays the saxophone during his father’s funeral procession on the morning of Dec. 30, 2024. Credit: Safura Syed / Verite News 
Alvarez “Big Al” Huntley of the Hot 8 band plays the trumpet during John Gilbert’s funeral procession on Dec. 30, 2024. Credit: Safura Syed / Verite News 
Raymond Williams of the Treme Brass Band marches along Claiborne Ave. with John Gilbert’s funeral procession on the morning of Dec. 30, 2024. Credit: Safura Syed / Verite News 
A crowd gathers for John “Prince” Gilbert’s funeral procession on Dec. 30, 2024. Credit: Safura Syed / Verite News
Following an open casket service at Charbonnet Funeral Home on Monday morning, Gilbert’s friends and family held a jazz funeral procession through the neighborhood featuring music from the Treme Brass Band.
“I miss my dad but I’m so grateful that I can hear him all the time,” Orlando Gilbert said. “This couldn’t have happened without your love for my father or your love for New Orleans culture.”
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