Four Men Keep Barbershop Quartet Tradition Alive in New Orleans

Mid City, New Orleans. On recent evenings, the four-part harmony of the group Southern Tradition echoes just off Canal Street. The quartet has performed together since 1999, maintaining a continuous presence in the local music scene.

The group consists of four men who balance distinct professional careers with their vocal practice. Karl Hansen, a doctor, sings bass. His son, Hansen Eschette, works as a medical technician and takes the tenor line. Joe Jacquat, a civil engineer, provides the baritone. Johnnie Oufnac, the only actual barber in the ensemble, sings lead.

Hansen describes the core requirement for singers as a willingness to perform without embarrassment. "The main attribute to be a barbershop quartet singer is to not be embarrassed, just keep going," Hansen said. The members meet every couple of weeks to rehearse and perform. Hansen noted that their long-term collaboration allows them to anticipate each other's musical movements. "Being together for a long time helps us harmonize and understand where the other person is going," he said.

Zachary Matherne, an award-winning barbershop singer, points to New Orleans as a central hub for this style of music. He notes that the city's influence on American vocal traditions is foundational. "It really is the nexus of American music at its most basic level and a lot of it comes from New Orleans," Matherne said. He also highlighted the legacy of Louis Armstrong, who performed in a vocal quartet before becoming a trumpet player.

Matherne also performs with NOLA Vox, a larger vocal group that gave rise to The Dreamers, a coed barbershop quartet. Sarah Todd, a member of that group, said competing with other singers adds to the enjoyment. "It’s a lot of fun to see where you stack up against somebody else," Todd said. Matt Ridley, another singer, emphasized the role of female voices in the genre. "We need the ladies to hit the high notes," Ridley said. He added that while some male singers can reach those notes, the female voices are more appealing.

The singers perform for the love of the music rather than for financial gain. New Orleans hosted an international barbershop competition in the Superdome in 1992, drawing thousands of participants. Since then, local groups like Southern Tradition have focused on community and harmonic precision. Ridley described the satisfaction of mastering complex parts. "I think it’s beautiful, when you learn the parts really well and it all comes together it’s really amazing," Ridley said.

The quartet continues its schedule of biweekly performances. Their presence in Mid City reflects the ongoing appeal of a vocal form that has persisted in the region for over a century.