The barbershop quartet tradition is alive in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (InvestigateTV) - On a Mid City evening, a four-part harmony rang out just off Canal Street.The group, Southern Tradition, has been around since 1999. The quartet is a place where a traditional American art form forges a friendship.“The main attribute to be a barbershop quartet singer is to not be embarrassed, just keep going,” said Karl Hansen.Four men with four different careers create one sound. Hansen is a doctor who sings bass. Hansen Eschette is a med tech singing tenor. Joe Jacquat is a civil engineer who sings baritone. Johnnie Oufnac is the only actual barber in this barbershop quartet, singing lead.“Being together for a long time helps us harmonize and understand where the other person is going,” Hansen said.Barbershop quartets have been around for more than a century. Though they can be found all over the world, ties to New Orleans are strong.“It really is the nexus of American music at its most basic level and a lot of it comes from New Orleans,” said Zachary Ma