New Orleans Quartet Southern Tradition Reunites Members Every Two Weeks

Southern Tradition, a barbershop quartet based in New Orleans, performed a four-part harmony set just off Canal Street in Mid City on Wednesday evening. The group has operated since 1999 and continues to meet for practice sessions. The ensemble consists of four men who balance their singing with professional careers in medicine, engineering, and barbering. Karl Hansen, a doctor, sings bass for the group. Hansen Eschette, a medical technician, handles the tenor part. Joe Jacquat, a civil engineer, sings baritone. Johnnie Oufnac is the only member who works as a barber by day, and he sings the lead.

Hansen noted that longevity in the group aids their musical cohesion. "Being together for a long time helps us harmonize and understand where the other person is going," Hansen said. He added that a key requirement for participation is a willingness to keep singing despite initial nervousness. "The main attribute to be a barbershop quartet singer is to not be embarrassed, just keep going," he said.

The history of barbershop quartets in the city dates back more than a century. Zachary Matherne, an award-winning singer who also performs with the vocal group NOLA Vox, cited the city's role in American music. "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 pointed to Louis Armstrong as a local example of a musician who began in vocal groups before taking up an instrument. "Louis Armstrong was in a vocal quartet before he ever started playing a horn," Matherne said.

The tradition has recently expanded to include female voices. NOLA Vox spawned The Dreamers, a coed barbershop quartet. Sarah Todd, a member of that group, described the dynamic as enjoyable. "It’s a lot of fun to see where you stack up against somebody else," Todd said. Matt Ridley, another singer, emphasized the value of female vocals in achieving higher notes. "We need the ladies to hit the high notes," Ridley said. "We do have some gentlemen, but they’re not as attractive."

New Orleans hosted a major international barbershop competition in 1992 at the Superdome, according to Matherne. Local groups like Southern Tradition generally perform for camaraderie rather than financial gain. Ridley described the satisfaction of mastering complex arrangements. "I think it’s beautiful, when you learn the parts really well and it all comes together it’s really amazing," Ridley said. The members of Southern Tradition plan to continue their regular rehearsal schedule, joining voices every couple of weeks to maintain their harmony.

The group’s current status reflects a wider local practice of sustaining vocal traditions through consistent, informal gatherings. The specific roles within the quartet remain fixed, with each member dedicated to their assigned vocal range. The next scheduled performance or practice will follow their established bi-weekly cadence. The ensemble continues to operate within the Mid City area, near their regular performance locations.