Four Men Keep Barbershop Alive

Four men meet every few weeks in the Mid City neighborhood to produce a specific type of American sound. They call themselves Southern Tradition, a barbershop quartet that has operated since 1999. Their performances take place just off Canal Street, where the group blends their professional backgrounds with vocal precision.

The members hold distinct jobs. Karl Hansen works as a doctor and sings bass. Hansen Eschette is a med tech on the tenor track. Joe Jacquat serves as a civil engineer and handles the baritone. Johnnie Oufnac is the only actual barber in the group, singing lead. Hansen notes that their long-term collaboration allows them to anticipate each other's musical movements.

"The main attribute to be a barbershop quartet singer is to not be embarrassed, just keep going," Hansen said. The group prioritizes camaraderie over financial gain. They practice regularly to maintain the tight harmonies that define the genre, a style that has existed for more than a century.

Zachary Matherne, an award-winning singer, points to the city's deep connection to this vocal form. He states that New Orleans is a central hub for basic American music. Matherne highlights that Louis Armstrong performed in a vocal quartet before he ever picked up a horn.

Matherne also performs with NOLA Vox, a larger vocal group. That ensemble gave rise to The Dreamers, a coed barbershop quartet. The inclusion of women has expanded the sound in the local community. Sarah Todd, a singer in the scene, enjoys the competitive aspect of stacking vocal abilities against other groups.

Matt Ridley, another local singer, notes that female voices add necessary high notes to the arrangement. "We need the ladies to hit the high notes," Ridley said. "We do have some gentlemen, but they’re not as attractive." While New Orleans hosted a major international competition in the Superdome in 1992, local groups like Southern Tradition focus on the daily practice of their craft.

The singers continue to meet to refine their parts. Ridley describes the process of learning complex arrangements as a rewarding experience when the final sound aligns. The group remains active in the city, maintaining a tradition that predates their modern professional lives.