Duke Dejan

Harold Andrew Dejan, generally know as Duke Dejan, was the leader of the famous Olympia Brass Band in New Orleans. He was a member of the Eureka band after the war, and formed his own group in 1951. The band became the Olympia in 1958, and was established as a major attraction at Preservation Hall in the city, as well as a traditional street band for weddings, funerlas and public celebrations. The band toured in Europe on some 30 occasions, and made one tour to Africa. They performed on film and television. A saxophonist, he performed in Storyville at the height of its noteriety, and later combned a job with a shipping company with leading the Olympia Band. He introduced new repertoire to the band, but maintained a largely traditional approach. He set up the Young Olympians Brass Band as a source of fresh talent for his group. He was forced to give up playing saxophone after a stroke in 1991, but continued to lead the band, play tambourine and sing. He is survived by his daughter, Lovetta Dejan Mahon, of New Orleans; his brother Leo, of Los Angeles; 4 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-great-grandchildren.