Seven YouTube Videos Of "Little Liza Jane" (Part III)

 

Dirty Dozen Jazz Band - Lil Liza Jane [Mad Musicians] 1983 Mardi Gras Brass Jazz Funk 45

Musicdawn 45's, Feb 13, 2018  #jazz #funk #band

Dirty Dozen Jazz Band - Lil Liza Jane

Mad Musicians Records # VPA 344. Released in 1983.

Great example of traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras brass band jazz funk music! One of the very first Dirty Dozen Jazz Band recordings and probably their first vinyl single. Vinyl rip from musicdawn records collection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8IEo-N9-zg
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Vocals consist of call &response words and scatting. The response is “Little Liza Jane”

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - August 27, 2026

This is Part III of a four part pancocojams series about the "Little Liza Jane" ("Lil' Liza Jane") song family.  

This post showcases seven YouTube videos of the song "Little Liza Jane". 

Video #4 documents that the tune for "Little Liza Jane" was used for the 1970s African American song "Funga Alafia"..

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/08/little-liza-jane-part-i-general.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents a general overview of this song. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/08/some-lyrics-for-little-liza-jane-songs.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post presents selected comments from the online Mudcat Folk Music Forum that include examples of lyrics for "Little Liza Jane" songs 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/08/three-contemporary-children-versions-of.html for Part IV of this pancocojams series. That post presents three contemporary examples of children's versions of "Little Liza Jane" and two early 20th century versions of those songs.

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The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, socio-cultural, and entertainment

purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown composers of "Little Liza Jane" songs. Thanks to the early collectors and publishers of these songs, and thanks to the performers and arrangers of "Little Liza Jane" songs. Thanks to all the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF "LITTLE LIZA JANE"

These videos are presented in no particular order.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Sam Chatmon: Little Liza Jane (1978)

Lomax Film Collection, Nov 16, 2011

Sam Chatmon performs "Little Liza Jane," vocal and guitar. Shot by Alan Lomax, John Bishop, and Worth Long at Sam Chatmon's home, Hollandale, Mississippi, August 1978

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us0Uh57v0Tg&list=RDUs0Uh57v0Tg&start_radio=1

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - Little Liza Jane -Hillary Klug Twins

@HillaryKlugandFriends, January 23, 2025

https://youtube.com/shorts/bz2Ke8OV7NY?si=3P9Q7G5g9ywZ1Z99

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - Nina Simone: Little Liza Jane (Live at Newport, 1960)

May 10, 2021  NEWPORT

Recording session: Live at the Newport Jazz Festival, 6/30/1960

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dIdWIsHVDM

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #5-Big Fun Brass Band- Lil Liza Jane 2ndline Parade

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, May 23, 2022  FRENCH QUARTER [New Orleans, Louisiana during Mardi Gras]

Our 8-piece band & grand marshal Percy Ellis lead a group down Chartres St in the French Quarter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpCnWtlxOnc

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #6- Cha Wa "Li'l Liza Jane"

Music City Roots, Aug 11, 2016

Cha Wa performing "Li'l Liza Jane" at Music City Roots Live From The Factory on 8.10.2016
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This is a New Orleans, Louisiana Mardi Gras Indian version of "Little Liza Jane".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8dsqNXYYgY

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #7-Discover New Orleans Jazz: Lil' Liza Jane and Call & Response Fun!



Second Line Arts Collective, Sep 24, 2024  #CulturalMusic #BrassBand #InteractiveLearning

In this video, we dive into the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans music by exploring the melody of the classic song "Lil' Liza Jane." We compare its traditional West African origins* to its evolution into a swinging New Orleans brass band style. You'll also learn a fun call-and-response section that you can try yourself! Perfect for music teachers and students, this video combines history, music, and interactive learning. Join us and celebrate New Orleans' vibrant musical culture!

Welcome to the Little Stompers video series hosted by Robin Barnes! Designed for kids, this fun and educational series explores the vibrant world of New Orleans music. Join us as we dance, sing, and learn about jazz, brass bands, blues, and the unique cultural sounds that make New Orleans a musical treasure. Perfect for young music lovers, these videos feature interactive songs, exciting rhythms, and a journey into the heart of New Orleans' musical heritage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ME4Jp7Dieo
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CORRECTION
The tune for "Little Liza Jane" that was used for the song "Funga Alafia" DID NOT come from West Africa.

The song "Funga Alafia" was composed by African American drummer and dancer LaRocque Bey in Harlem (New York City) in 1959 or 1960. At that time LaRocque Bey was a drummer with the New York City based group of Babatunde Olatunji drummers and dancers. 

LaRocque Bey used the familiar tune for "Little Liza Jane" and substituted some West African words for the English words for that song to compose the new song "Funga Alafia".  

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-real-origin-of-song-funga-alafia_26.html for the pancocojams post entitled "The REAL Origin Of The Song "Funga Alafia" (And What The Non-English Words To That Song Mean)."

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This concludes Part III of this four paart pancocojams series.

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