LOSS
What Happens When Someone You Love Becomes a Part of Black History
A personal essay about Kerry “Fat Man” Hunter and his impact
Our city of New Orleans is in mourning this week, having recently lost Kerry “Fat Man” Hunter, a Grammy award-winning brass band drummer beloved throughout the city. He was killed in a hit-and-run accident by a suspected drunk driver in the early hours of Mardi Gras Day. Because of the chaos and revelry, most found out about his death on Ash Wednesday. The shock could be felt throughout the city as musicians gathered at Tuba Fats Square nearly every night to mourn their loss and celebrate his life. The Tremé community, the oldest black neighborhood in America, has been struck with unexpected grief.
For me, Kerry was a family friend, someone we usually saw when he took a break from performing at Kermit’s Tremé Mother-in-Law Lounge. Some of my friends went to school with him and have stayed in touch over the years. His demeanor was kind, joyful, and, at times, solemn. While performing, he was often seen wearing the traditional attire — black pants, shoes, and a white button-up shirt with a black bow tie. However, during this one-second line, he wore a brown mink jumpsuit, flexing his fly, unorthodox style. Playing music was Kerry’s passion, and over the years, he played in a…
