New Orleans LA

Ernie Vincent played a key role in expanding the role New Orleans played in music on a national and international level. As a songwriter he wrote the funk based songs "Dap Walk" as well as many others based on the blues and zydeco.  "Dap Walk" proved that New Orleans was not just about jazz and the...
Terence Blanchard remembers with pride the special way Lionel Hampton coached and encouraged him.  It was his first professional gig and Hamp took the time to share with young Terence, an act of kindness that continues to give to this day.  While having a successful jazz career, Terence never...
Ellis Marsalis had a firm idea how to bring out the best music in people, even before his famous sons were born.  His understanding of music theory and notation became the cornerstone of his own career as a musician and that of an unofficial music teacher. Just a few years after Hurricane Katrina...
George Porter Jr. has proven himself to be one of the bedrocks that make up the foundation of the New Orleans music scene. While starting out briefly on guitar, George quickly transitioned to bass where he really hit his stride. After some prompting from Art Neville, George became an integral part...
Branford Marsalis has a deep passion for music that reflects not only in his playing but his music education as well. Branford attributes his skills as a musician through dedicated practice in real life band situations, continually reassessing where he is in his practice and development. This...
Benny Turner grew up in a music family and after his brother, Freddie King, took him to a session with Howlin’ Wolf and Willie Dixon, he was hooked. While Benny played guitar with the Kindly Shepherds in the 1950s, he also spent time playing bass with Freddie and touring with R&B singer Dee...
Allen Toussaint represented one of the quintessential New Orleans sounds. Toussaint’s compositions and songs seamlessly blend blues, jazz, ragtime, R&B, and funk to create an amalgam that is unique and readily identifiable to New Orleans. Starting on piano in the 1940s and initially influenced...
Walter “Wolfman” Washington has been a staple on the New Orleans music scene since first picking up a guitar in the 1950s. After some minor correction on technique and tuning, Wolfman hit the ground running by joining Lee Dorsey’s band after which Wolfman went on to form and front a number of his...
Deacon John Moore has been a noted studio musician in New Orleans for decades.  His performance and recordings have not only represented the New Orleans Sound over the years, he has helped define it! Deacon John was very active in the studios of New Orleans in the heyday of R&B and can be heard...
Dwight Clements was working at Sears while playing music at night and on the weekends.  While visiting a local store in New Orleans, Mitchell’s Music, Dwight asked the owner if there were any openings.  Bill Mitchell told Dwight he could start the next week.  It was a dream for Dwight who remained...

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