Sitting one hot afternoon for an interview at the former Lu and Charlie's jazz club in August of 1974, James Black, one of the great unsung drummers of modern New Orleans music, was asked whether younger musicians' attitudes had changed at all regarding traditional New Orleans music.

"From what [ can gather from the students I've had," he insisted, "it's about the same. Everybody likes to second line. I don't know anybody from New Orleans who doesn't. I don't care what kind of music they p...