Home → Overview → Blues Artists → Professor Longhair

Professor Longhair (1918-1980)

The Sound Is Unique And Unmistakable

Pianist, composer, and singer, Professor Longhair, is one of the most important musical figures in New Orleans' rich musical legacy. Born Henry Roeland Byrd ( also known as Fess) in Bogalusa, Louisiana on December 19, 1918, he became the embodiment of New Orleans rhythm and blues at his peak in the late '70s. Fess influenced countless musicians, such as Fats Domino, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Henry Butler, Huey "Piano" Smith, Marcia Ball, Champion Jack Dupree, Jon Cleary, the Meters, and the Neville Brothers. His unique style fused diverse elements including blues, barrelhouse boogie-woogie, rock, and gospel, which he combined with calypso, rhumba, and second-line street parade rhythms. His hybrid "rhumba-boogie" piano style, with a heavy, percussive left hand, forever changed the sound of rhythm and blues piano. Fess had a charismatic presence and unflinching soulful quality which pervades his recordings and performances. Few artists embodied his singular quality or have equaled the span of his influence on modern music. Longhair grew up on the streets of the Big Easy, tap dancing for tips with his running partners. New Orleans has a long history of piano legends dating back to innovators like Jelly Roll Morton, in addition, to other local pianists like Sullivan Rock, Kid Stormy Weather, and Tuts Washington who all left their marks on Fess, who brought an extremely fresh approach to the instrument. Longhair began to take his playing seriously in 1948, earning a gig at the Caldonia Club where Mike Tessitore bestowed Longhair with his professorial nickname (due to Fess' shaggy hairdo). Debuting on Star Talent records in 1949, Fess laid down the first version of his signature "Mardi Gras in New Orleans", featuring the unmistakable whistled intro and backing band the Shuffling Hungarians. Longhair's next date was for Mercury producing his first and only national R&B hit in 1950, "Bald Head" (under the name Roy Byrd & His Blues Jumpers). Longhair made other great recordings for various labels early in his career most notably for Atlantic Records in 1953 producing the immortal "Tipitina", a romping "In the Night", and the boogie "Ball the Wall". Longhair came back on Ebb records in 1957 with the wailing "No Buts - No Maybes". He re-recorded the seminal local anthem "Go to the Mardi Gras" for Ron records in 1959. This is the version played every year during Carnival in New Orleans, and is still one of the most beloved songs in the New Orleans music songbook. Fess' career was resurrected in the early 70s with the help of his then manager Allison Miner and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival founder, Quint Davis. His performance at the 1971 Jazz Festival put him on the comeback trail. He made a slew of albums in the last decade of his life, including Rock 'n Roll Gumbo, Live on the Queen Mary (prompted by Fess fan Paul McCartney), House Party New Orleans Style, and the stellar album Crawfish Fiesta which features an all-star New Orleans lineup of Dr. John, Johnny Vidacovich, and Tony Dagradi. On January 14, 1977, a group of music visionaries, known as the Fabulous Fo'teen, created a club in Longhair's honor named for one of his most revered recordings, Tipitina. Their desire was to create a quality venue for Fess to perform at during his final years. The front room contained a juice bar and piano which served as a sacred place where Fess and other local pianists could play. Since his passing a beautiful brass bust of Fess was constructed, by local musician and artisan Coco Robicheaux, located near the front door where patrons enter and admire Fess to this day. Above the stage, hangs a huge mural of Fess that watches over all the great artists who have played and continue to grace the stage of New Orleans' most historic music venue over the past 25 years. Fess' spirit is always felt within the space of Tipitina's through magical musical performances during Halloween, New Year's Eve, Mardi Gras, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and all year long. Longhair's final day on earth was January 30, 1980, his passing marks an incredibly fertile era of music which has not been equaled since. Fess' music is still played so often and so reverently in his hometown you would swear he never left. Professor Longhair was inducted into the W. C. Handy Blues Hall Of Fame on November 16, 1981, and the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame on January 15, 1992. (quoted from tipitinas.com)

Blues Search Engine

Home
Overview
Booking Agencies
Blues Artists
→  Professor Longhair
Blues Societies
Blues Directories, Portals
Blues in General
Blues Live on Stage
Learn to Play the Blues
Blues and Science
Record Companies
Search Page
Submit a Site
Contact
Your Own Search Engine
Bookmark This Site!

Search for Professor Longhair recordings at cduniverse.com:

Artist Title Song Soundtrack Label

Home → Overview → Blues Artists → Professor Longhair