From the rhythms of African slaves in Congo Square, to the birth of jazz, Mardi Gras Indian chants, boogie-woogie, R & B, and original funk, the depth of New Orleans music is unfathomable-- feeding American culture and imagination for 300 years.
1
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
St. James Infirmary
The Preservation Hall Jazz Hall on St. Peter St. and its resident band has been bringing the music of New Orleans to its citizens and the world since 1961.
Buddy Bolden
Considered the first jazz musician, cornetist Buddy Bolden played his horn in a loud and expressive style in the halls of New Orleans, including Union Son's Hall, later known as Funky Butt Hall.
2
Fats Domino
Walking to New Orleans
Antoine "Fats" Domino was born in New Orleans in 1928. His family was French Creole and lived in the Lower Ninth Ward, where he still lives today. Fats' brother-in-law, the jazz guitarist Harrison Verrett taught him to play piano.
Professor Longhair
Professor Longhair is a New Orleans legend. His original style of piano playing inspired many New Orleans piano players who came after him. The Professor was a fan of Cuban music and helped bridge "boogie-woogie" with ryrhem and blues.
Professor Longhair also helped inspired New Orleans funk music.
Jean Knight
Mr. Big Stuff
Lee Dorsey
A childhood friend of Fats Domino Lee Dorsey served in the Navy during WWII before becoming a boxer. He retired from boxing and opened an auto repair shop in New Orleans, first recording Rock Pretty Baby/Lonely Evening with Cosimo Matassa in 1958.
Neville Brothers
Wild Tchoupitoulas
Betty Harris
Betty Harris was the Soul Queen of New Orleans.
FURTHER. . .
READ:
Unfathomable City: A New Orleans Atlas edited by Rebecca Solnit and Rebecca Snedeker
Inventing New Orleans by Lafcadio Hearn
In the Spirit of New Orleans by Debra Shriver
Ernie K-Doe: The R&B Emperor of New Orleans by Ben Sandmel
LISTEN:
The Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings, Louis Armstrong
King of New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll, Fats Domino
New Orleans Piano, Professor Longhair
The Meters, Look-Ka Py Py, The Meters
They Call Us Wild, Wild Magnolias
Yellow Moon, Neville Brothers
In the Right Place, Dr. John's Gumbo, Dr. John
A Cab Driver’s Blues, Mem Shannon
Billie And De De, Preservation Hall Jazz Band
We Come to Party, Rebirth Brass Band
VIEW:
Bury the Hatchet
The Whole Gritty City
Bayou Maharajah - The Life And Music Of New Orleans Piano Legend James Booker
Trouble the Water
When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts
Treme
“I'm not sure but I'm almost positive that all music came from New Orleans." -Ernie K. Doe