Guitarist and singer Walter "Wolfman" Washington was born in New Orleans on December 21, 1943, and played in Lee Dorsey’s band when he was in his teens. In the mid 1960s, Washington played clubs in New Orleans with his All Fools Band, and in the 1970s he joined Johnny Adams' band. He played with Adams for 20 years, both performing live and also appearing on his records. During this time he continued to work as a solo artist, and in the late 1970s formed his own band, the Roadmasters, and toured Europe with them. While his roots are in blues music, he blends in the essence of funk and R&B to create his own unique sound.

Washington released his first solo album Rainin' In My Life in 1981, and landed a contract with Rounder Records in the mid 1980s, releasing three albums with them. He also released an album from Virgin subsidiary Point Blank Records. In 2008, he released Doin' the Funky Thing, his first album in many years. Washington started playing regularly at the Maple Leaf Bar with two New Orleans musicians, pianist Joe Krown and drummer Russell Batiste, and in 2008 the trio released Live at the Maple Leaf, a live recording. In 2018 he released My Future Is My Past to much acclaim, proving that he continues to be a creative force in the New Orleans music scene. Today let’s celebrate this wonderful musician and wish him a very happy birthday!