Anthony Lacen, 53; ‘Tuba Fats’ Was New Orleans Jazz Fixture

Anthony “Tuba Fats” Lacen, 53, a popular brass band tuba player among New Orleans’ Jackson Square musicians, died Sunday at his New Orleans home of an apparent heart attack.

Lacen wanted to play the trumpet while growing up in New Orleans, but, because of his robust size, was steered to the tuba by his band director.

Recruited for the Fairview Baptist Church Band in the 1960s, Lacen was tutored by jazz banjoist Danny Barker. With other students, he helped Barker rekindle interest in the brass band jazz traditionally used at New Orleans funerals, weddings, community parades and parties.

Lacen, an animated and appealing player, went on to perform with Sweet Emma, Kid Thomas and other bandleaders at the city’s Preservation Hall. He also worked in the Gibson, Olympia, Doc Paulin, Onward and Tuxedo brass bands and toured the world as player and leader. He was a founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Though steeped in traditional brass band jazz, Lacen also helped modernize the music, particularly with his own instrument.

Instead of merely playing the tuba as rhythmic accompaniment, he used it to perform solos. Lacen and his own band -- Tuba Fats & the Chosen Few -- regularly played free concerts at Jackson Square.

In addition to concerts, he appeared in several movies and commercials.