New Orleans saxophonist John “Prince” Gilbert died on December 15th; he was 66 years old. He was an original member of the Rebirth Brass Band. He was also a member of the Hot 8, New Birth, and Treme brass bands and could be regularly heard marching on the streets of New Orleans, performing at the hometown festivals, or traveling with these bands that serve as ambassadors for the Crescent City around the world.
He helped to define the roll of the saxophone in the contemporary brass band sound of New Orleans. His son, Orlando Gilbert, also a saxophonist, featured his father on his 2023 album A Crescent City Connection. Prince Gilbert was remembered in a Second Line through the Sixth Ward.
Joe Bebco is the Associate Editor of The Syncopated Times and Webmaster of SyncopatedTimes.com
