Iggy
Photos by Ryan Hodgson-RigsbeeText by Katy Reckdahl (excerpt from the Advocate article pub Nov 24 )
The Pair-A-Dice Tumblers band can be disorganized, bawdy, even beer-soaked. So leader John Birdsong was surprised to get a phone call asking if a kindergartner could hang out with his band.
It’s not that the Tumblers are an exclusive group. “We stumble and tumble and play music,” Birdsong said, noting that the band has for 40 years accepted musicians of any talent level as long as they adhere to a rule: “If you can’t play well, don’t play loud.”
Still, Birdsong had never been asked about letting a child join the band.
Then, last year, Rebecca Garside, a friend of a friend, contacted Birdsong to ask if her son Iggy could play trombone with the band at rehearsal. In her message, she explained that Iggy has a remarkable affinity for music that stems from a rare genetic condition called Williams syndrome.
Iggy Garside performs with the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers along Bourbon Street during the Southern Decadence Parade on September 3, 2017.
Iggy Garside, 7, at his home in New Orleans on November 18, 2017.
Family time on a Saturday morning, Cloud, 11, plays Memory Palace with her brother Iggy, 7, while their mother Rebecca, father Phillip and sister Rain relax on November 18, 2017.
Iggy shows Phillip a walnut he found while Rain and Rebecca work on a bokeh they picked, during a family walk along the Mississippi shoreline.
Phillip, Rain, Rebecca, Cloud, and Iggy out for a walk as a family on November 18, 2017.
Phillip comforts Rain while Rebecca prepares snacks for the kids on November 18, 2017.
Phillip has a chat with Iggy during the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers rehearsal on November 8, 2017.
Iggy Garside practicing with the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers, while his father Phillip and grandfather Jim watch on November 8, 2017.
Cloud, Rain, and Phillip walk Iggy to music therapy in the Marigny on November 16, 2017.
Iggy enjoys the Washington Park swings with his sisters Rain and Cloud and father Phillip before music therapy on November 16, 2017.
Iggy Garside plays his dulcimer with Catherine de Mers during music therapy on November 16, 2017. Iggy, 7, has been going to music therapy since he was 2.
Iggy plays piano in the closing moments of music therapy with Catherine de Mers on November 16, 2017.
Iggy practices for his piano recital during lessons with Casey Zainey after school at Holy Name on November 17, 2017. Zainey started working with Iggy this school year, and has been giving independent lessons at the school for the last ten years.
Iggy practices for his piano recital during lessons with Casey Zainey after school at Holy Name on November 17, 2017. Zainey started working with Iggy this school year, and has been giving independent lessons at the school for the last ten years.
Iggy practices for his piano recital during lessons with Casey Zainey after school at Holy Name on November 17, 2017. Zainey started working with Iggy this school year, and has been giving independent lessons at the school for the last ten years.
Iggy practices for his piano recital during lessons with Casey Zainey after school at Holy Name on November 17, 2017. Zainey started working with Iggy this school year, and has been giving independent lessons at the school for the last ten years.
Post scouts meeting Iggy attends the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers rehearsal on October 18, 2017.
John Birdsong and Iggy practice while Phillip watches during the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers rehearsal on October 18, 2017.
Iggy Garside pratices trombone during his regular lesson with Matt Wright at Loyola University on November 21, 2017.
Iggy Garside pratices trombone during his regular lesson with Matt Wright at Loyola University on November 21, 2017.
Iggy Garside, 7, plays "When the Saints Go Marching In" along Oak Street during Poboy Fest on November 12, 2017.
Iggy Garside plays with his trucks while his sister Rain Garside gets ready to sing karaoke under the supervision of father Phillip and grandfather Jim Garside on November 12, 2017.
Phillip Garside talks to Iggy about playing his trombone during PoBoy Fest on November 12, 2017.
Iggy Garside plays trombone while his sister Cloud sells lemonade during PoBoy Fest on November 12, 2017.
Dane Williams gives Iggy a high five after playing a song during Po Boy Fest on November 12, 2017.
Iggy Garside plays with the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers in front of R Bar for their Turkey Tumble on November 22, 2017.
Iggy Garside plays with the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers for their Turkey Tumble on November 22, 2017.
Iggy Garside plays with the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers for their Turkey Tumble on November 22, 2017.
Pair-A-Dice Tumblers march up Decatur Street for their Turkey Tumble on November 22, 2017.
Iggy Garside plays with the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers for their Turkey Tumble on November 22, 2017.
Phillip and Iggy Garside talk during a break in the Turkey Tumble with the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers on November 22, 2017.
Jeanette Meyer plays beside Iggy Garside followed by Rebec ca, during the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers' Turkey Tumble on November 22, 2017.
Iggy Garside sings along with the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers for their Turkey Tumble on November 22, 2017.
Iggy Garside plays with the Pair-A-Dice Tumblers for their Turkey Tumble on November 22, 2017.
The Garside family Iggy, Cloud Rebecca, Phillip, and Rain in the French Quarter on November 22, 2017.