The Whole Gritty City 2013

The Whole Gritty City is a 90-minute documentary that pulls viewers into the heart of three New Orleans school marching bands, offering a close, human look at how music shapes life in a city famed for its rhythm as much as its risk. The film follows bands from O. Perry Walker and L.E. Rabouin high schools, alongside Roots of Music, a newer program built for middle school students, as they prepare to perform in Mardi Gras parades under the steady guidance of dedicated band directors who teach more than notes and timing—they teach grit, focus, and hope.

Among the people who bring this story to life are the young players and their mentors, including Bruce Davenport Jr., Brandon Franklin, and Kirk Dugar Jr., whose journeys anchor the film’s portrait of a community under pressure and bound by music. The Roots of Music program is led by Derrick Tabb, drummer for the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band, whose presence underscores a deeper commitment to mentorship and civic pride even as the city recovers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

As Mardi Gras approaches, the story unfolds through the rigorous grind of practice, the pride of performance, and the personal lives that these young musicians carry with them. Partly through the video diaries the kids shoot with portable cameras, we glimpse their passions, quirks, and private struggles, alongside the louder moments of triumph. 11-year-old Bear is determined to master the trumpet, carrying the weight of a brother who was murdered at 19 and the shadow that loss casts over his family. In parallel, 18-year-old drum major Skully calls out to loved ones he has lost to violence, including the band director who served as a father figure, turning his memories into fuel for the field. Then there’s 12-year-old Jazz, who dreams of following in her father’s musician footsteps even as her mother works hard to hold the family together.

The narrative follows these young musicians as they train, perform, and endure the exacting demands of marching in crowds of cheering spectators, testing their endurance and sharpening their teamwork. The film culminates in a moving moment of communal tribute—a funeral performance by bands from across the city for a young man who belonged to their circle—creating a powerful, shared memory that lingers beyond the music.

This is more than a documentary about marching bands; it is a nuanced portrait of a New Orleans inner city, where music becomes a lifeline and mentors commit themselves with a clarity and warmth that illuminate the potential and resilience of the students. For viewers whose experience mirrors the African American urban landscape, the film offers a heartfelt celebration of community strength and the everyday wisdom of those who guide the next generation. For others, it provides an intimate, empathetic glimpse into a world that can feel distant, inviting audiences to care about the struggles and triumphs of these children and the adults who stand with them.