Post by Elisabeth Sereda

Remembering Ronell… It took me a while to write this. On June 14, New Orleans, the jazz world, and everyone who knew him lost Ronell "Roobone" Johnson at only 49 years young. A gentle giant, a massive talent, who uplifted everyone he came into contact with—friend or stranger. His childlike innocence, paired with his ridiculously funny sense of humor, made him one of those rare souls who illuminated every room he entered. I wasn't a close friend. We met in 2018 during the promotion for A Tuba to Cuba, the award-winning documentary about the Preservation Hall Band. I sat down next to him, unable to resist his big smile and the unmistakably New Orleans greeting, "How ya doin', baybee?" I saw him regularly after that, most often when he was playing with the band, at parades, Jazz Fest, and Preservation Hall, hanging out in the courtyard after the show. He made everything better. Just by looking at his beaming smile, being the recipient of one of his bear hugs, or listening to him play the trombone—or any other instrument. The last time I saw him, he serenaded my feet right there during a show. Laughing, playing, and being completely in the moment. Afterwards, we hugged in the courtyard and told jokes that weren't really that funny but made us howl with laughter regardless. "Whatcha call two tubas?" — "A fourba." (him) "What's the difference between an accordion and an onion?" — "No one cries when you cut an accordion in half." (me) He was a son of the city—in body, in spirit, and certainly in music. A prodigy from the West Bank who began playing as a child, joined St. Augustine High School's marching band, and whose divine gift led him to the prestigious NOCCA arts school before earning a B.A. from SUNO. He toured the world with the Preservation Hall Band, spreading his joy and music wherever he went. To never hear him play again or laugh again hurts. To never hear him ask, "How ya doin', baybee?" again is unimaginable. But I'm doin' alright, Ronell. Not great, but alright. You weren't just a light—you were a beam. Keep shining and playing with the angels and with all those who came before you, whom you admired and learned from. What we will learn from you is living every moment with unbridled joy. To see Ronell's beautiful send-off with a Second Line and the music at his funeral, watch the video

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