One of the recurring themes within the New Orleans music community since Hurricane Katrina has been a focus on passing the torch on to the next generation of musicians.

From the Roots of Music to the work the Tipitina’s Foundation has spearheaded to plotlines of HBO’s Treme, the image of an established musician handing an instrument to a child has become an indelible part of the musical landscape.

Bonerama’s Mark Mullins carried on this tradition during the band’s set on the Samsung Galaxy stage at Jazz Fest 2014 by bringing his oldest son Michael Mullins on stage to play with the band.

Michael and Mark Mullins. (Photo by: Stephen Maloney)

Michael, who is 13 and has been playing trombone for three years, has a jump start on his dad.

“I did do some parades at 12 or 13, but I never played anything big like Jazz Fest at that age,” Mark Mullins said.

Photo by: Stephen Maloney

While he said he couldn’t be prouder of his son, Mark Mullins said he tries to keep the pressure to a minimum.

Mark Mullins congratulates Michael Mullins. (Photo by: Stephen Maloney)

“I’m dad first, and the trombone stuff is extra and totally for fun,” he said.