I happen to adore New Orleans jazz. My favorite artist is Professor Longhair. He died about 10 years before I even heard of him. There's a great video (only on VHS - geez!) called Piano Players Rarely Play Together that I got for my birthday a few years ago. It is awesome. Tuts Washington, Henry Roeland Byrd (Professor Longhair, aka 'Fess) and Allen Toussaint were going to perform a concert together. The process was being documented on film to show how they rehearsed and influenced each. However, the focus of the documentary changed when Professor Longhair died in his sleep two days before the concert.
I'm hardly an expert for New Orleans Jazz or even Mardi Gras songs. I'm game for anyone telling me their favorites. I've just put together a list of my favorite songs. Most of them are by Professor Longhair. I've seen a few of these guys in concert thanks to the WIsconsin State Fair and Summerfest (Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Harry Connick, Jr. and Dr. John). I threw in a little Ray Charles' Mess Around. Not technically New Orleans Jazz but I like his version of the Mess Around better than Fess'. I'd love, love, love to head down to New Orleans and go to Tipitina's (named after Professor Longhair's famous song). Until then, I will turn up the music.
Iko Iko, The Dixie Cups
Tipitina, Professor Longhair
Zydeco Gris-Gris, Beausoleil
Mess Around, Ray Charles
Mardi Gras In New Orleans, Professor Longhair
Hey Now Baby, Professor Longhair
Huey Smith Medley, Dr. John
Junco Partner, Professor Longhair
Mess Around, Professor Longhair
Jambalaya, Professor Longhair
Mardi Gras Day, Dr. John
Meet Me Tomorrow Night, Professor Longhair
How Long Has That Train Been Gone, Professor Longhair
Mean Ol' World, Professor Longhair
Rockin' Pneumonia, Professor Longhair
Stag-O-Lee, Professor Longhair
Rum And Coke, Professor Longhair
(They Call Me) Dr. Professor Longhair, Professor Longhair
Doin' It, Professor Longhair
Iko Iko, Dr. John
Memories Of Prof. Longhair, Dr. John
Junko Partner, Dr. John
Mother In Law/Lipstick Traces, Allen Toussaint
She Walks Right In, Professor Longhair
Ball The Wall, Professor Longhair
In The Night, Professor Longhair
Hey Now Baby, Professor Longhair
Some Iko, Henry Butler
Tiger Rag, Preservation Hall Jazz Band
When the Saints Go Marching In, Tuts Washington
Ode to Fess, Henry Butler
Tipitina and Me, Allen Toussaint
Bill Bailey (Won't You Please Come Home), Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Bourbon Street Blues, Dukes Of Dixieland
Basin Street Blues, Harry Connick, Jr.
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