Happy Birthday, Lil Wayne!

Rapper, singer, songwriter, record executive, entrepreneur and actor Lil Wayne (DeWayne Michael Carter, Jr) was born on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans. He was discovered in 1995 at age 12, and was part of several groups, and he released his debut solo album in 1999, which was certified platinum. His popularity grew and he gained prominence, with albums being certified gold, and culminating in a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2008. Lil Wayne’s success continued but was interrupted by an 8-month jail sentence in New York due to a 2007 weapon possession incident. His 8th studio album was released during his incarceration in 2010, and another was released following his release from jail. In September 2012, Lil Wayne became the first male artist to achieve 109 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, surpassing Elvis Presley. Lil Wayne has sold over 15 million albums in the United States, and more than 120 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He is also the CEO of his own label, Young Money Entertainment.

By Megan Elice Meadows - IMG_0534, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54753000

Enjoy the Music at "Virtual Shorty Fest" on 9/26!

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Galactic, The Soul Rebels, Tank and the Bangas, Anders Osborne, and many more will be performing at “Shorty Fest”, on Saturday, September 26th, at 8pm NOLA time and 6pm L.A. time. This year’s event will look a little different, as the party will be ONLINE, streaming for free on several social media platforms. Enjoy amazing music from the Trombone Shorty Foundation’s annual flagship event, and consider donating to the Foundation by visiting www.paypal.me/shortyfoundation OR by texting “give” to (504) 509-5010. Click on the image for more information about the Foundation’s efforts to pass on New Orleans’ cultural heritage to the city’s youth.

Happy Birthday, Nicholas Payton!

Trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Nicholas Payton was born in New Orleans on September 26, 1973, to bassist and sousaphonist Walter Payton. He started playing trumpet at 4, and was sitting in with his dad and the Young Tuxedo Brass Band by 9. His first professional job was at 10 with James Andrews’ All-Star Brass, and he got his first steady gig with Danny Barker! Payton’s musical journey is impressive and storied, including a Grammy at age 25 for his collaboration with Doc Cheatham, as well as composing, arranging, performing and recording with his own groups, as well as his full orchestral work The Black American Symphony in 2012. He has also collaborated with notable artists including Ray Charles, Dr John, Herbie Hancock, Zigaboo Modeliste, Jill Scott, Allen Toussaint, Nancy Wilson, and Dr. Michael White. Payton formed his own record label, BMF Records, in 2013, and has written on a multitude of provocative subjects that have sparked great interest and debate. Happy birthday to a true virtuoso!

By Infrogmation - Photo by Infrogmation, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2063666

Happy Birthday, Tom McDermott!

Pianist and composer Tom McDermott was born on September 24, 1957, in St. Louis, Missouri. He began studying piano at age seven, became a professional musician at 16, received a Master of Music degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1982, and wrote about music for the morning paper. In 1984, inspired by his love of James Booker, Professor Longhair and Dr. John, he moved to New Orleans and became known for playing its styles of music, especially traditional jazz and New Orleans R&B. He was in the group "Dukes of Dixieland" through much of the 1990s, and in 1994 he co-founded and wrote arrangements for the innovative brass band the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, which took him to Europe, Asia, South America and all over the States.

He has released 17 CDs as a leader, which include 85 original tunes, and is known for his eclecticism, including a great love of Brazilian music. Since 2001, he has devoted much time traveling there to study and record choro music. In addition to Brazil, McDermott has visited all 50 states and six continents, and is a travel writer in addition to being a music journalist. In 2017, “Five Lines, No Waiting,” a book of his limericks and drawings, was published by Sagging Meniscus Press. Today let’s celebrate the birthday of this multi-talented New Orleanian. Happy Birthday, Tom!

Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans

Celebrating the Birthday of Theryl "Houseman" DeClouet

Soul/R&B singer Theryl DeClouet was born in New Orleans on September 17, 1951. Also known as Houseman, DeClouet was best known as the one-time lead vocalist of the New Orleans funk and jazz group Galactic. But, he was more than that to band members who described him as a good friend, mentor, and musical collaborator. Declouet appeared on Galactic's first four studio albums as well as a live release and a compilation before health concerns forced his departure from the band and its heavy tour schedule. In 2001, he released “The Houseman Cometh” and in 2007, he released his independent solo effort, The Truth Iz Out, featuring support from longtime friend Ivan Neville and guitarist June Yamagishi. Sadly, Houseman passed away on July 15, 2018, at the age of 66. Today we celebrate his many contributions to New Orleans music and culture.

Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet from “The Houseman Cometh”

Celebrating the Birthday of Tuba Fats

Jazz tubist and bandleader Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen was born in New Orleans on September 15, 1950, and was the Crescent City’s most famous tuba player and played traditional New Orleans jazz and blues for over 40 years. While he was born and spent most of his life in New Orleans, his music took him on a number of tours of Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America.

He was known for many years to lead a band playing for tips in Jackson Square in the French Quarter, where he gave much encouragement to younger musicians. He played professionally with brass bands such as the Young Tuxedo, E. Gibson, Doc Paulin, Onward, Algiers, Treme, and Olympia Brass Bands, and with his own band, Tuba Fats & the Chosen Few Brass Band. Tuba Fats made many important jazz recordings; notably those under his own name on the Jazz Crusade label. Tuba Fats was married to the late blues shouter Linda Young with whom he often toured in Europe.

Sadly, he passed away on January 11, 2004, and was buried in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 one week later, after a jazz funeral. Today we celebrate his life and his legacy!