Photographer: Kim Welsh

Dazzled by Herman Leonard’s masterful, visionary smoky images, I was compelled to attend the celebration of his life on November 6, 2010. As the Hot 8 Brass Band kicked up, the Sudan Social Aid and Pleasure Club swaggered, and the Pussyfooters pussyfooted, I remembered his words—“Above all, enjoy the music”—and rushed out to join the second line.