Happy Birthday, Wendell Brunious!

Singer songwriter and trumpeter Wendell Brunious was born in New Orleans on October 27, 1954. Brunious began playing trumpet at 11, and both his father (John “Picket” Brunious) and brother (John Brunious, Jr.) were accomplished trumpeters. He sang in Chief John and the Mahogany Hall Stompers in the 1960s, a group in which his father was also a member. He performed with Danny Barker and played dance music in clubs on Bourbon Street in the mid-1970s. Wendell followed his brother John as bandleader of Preservation Hall Jazz Band in 1987, and was followed as bandleader by his nephew Mark Braud. Brunious has also played with the Eureka Brass Band, Lionel Hampton, Michael White, and Don Vappie. Happy Birthday to a true New Orleans luminary!

Photo by Charles Mims, at https://www.flickr.com/photos/11248189@N02/31430410655/

Celebrating the Birthday of Mahalia Jackson

Mahalia Jackson, vocalist was born in New Orleans on October 26, 1911. She was referred to as “The Queen of Gospel” and possessed a powerful contralto voice. She experienced great success in 1947 with “Move On Up a Little Higher” which sold millions of copies. Her success led to radio and television, as well as a tour that included performing at Carnegie Hall in 1950 to a racially integrated audience. She became one of the most influential gospel singers in the world and was heralded internationally as a singer and civil rights activist. At the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, Jackson performed before King gave his ”I Have a Dream” speech. Mahalia Jackson passed away on January 27, 1972. Read more about her in the “Saints” page. We remember her immense talent on this day!

Celebrating the Birthday of Jelly Roll Morton

Ragtime and early jazz pianist and composer Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, known professionally as Jelly Roll Morton, was born in New Orleans on October 20, 1890 (though some say 1885). He was a pivotal figure in early jazz. He was the first arranger in this genre rooted in improvisation, proving that jazz could retain its essential characteristics and spirit even though notated. 

Morton learned to play piano at age 10, and within a few years he was playing in the red-light district bordellos, where he earned the nickname "Jelly Roll." Blending the styles of ragtime and minstrelsy with dance rhythms, he was at the forefront of a movement that would soon be known as "jazz." His composition "Jelly Roll Blues", published in 1915, was the first published jazz composition.

Jelly Roll Morton passed away on July 10, 1941, in Los Angeles, California. Whether or not Morton invented jazz, as he had claimed, he is regarded as one of its great innovators. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him in 1998, and he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

Happy Birthday, Wynton Marsalis!

Trumpeter, composer and teacher Wynton Marsalis was born in New Orleans on October 18, 1961, into a family of musical royalty. He is the son of jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr., and brother of saxophonist Branford, trombonist Delfeayo, and drummer Jason. While sitting at a table with trumpeters Al Hirt, Miles Davis, and Clark Terry, his father jokingly suggested that he might as well get Wynton a trumpet, too. Hirt volunteered to give him one, so at the age of six Marsalis received his first trumpet. Since that time, he has been awarded nine Grammy Awards and was the first jazz composition to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. In addition, Marsalis is the only musician to win a Grammy Award in jazz and classical during the same year. The artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, he also promotes classical and jazz music, often to young audiences. Happy Birthday to one of the all time greats!

Eric Delmar - Given with permission from author

Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival - 10/14 - 16/2022

Our Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, established in 2006, continues New Orleans’ historic role in making the blues and R&B among the most influential sounds in the world. The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival presents many of the top performers from southern Louisiana and Mississippi, plus delicious food and unique visual art. Remember, without the blues, there would be no jazz or R&B.

Happy Birthday, Cyril Neville!

Singer songwriter and percussionist Cyril Neville was born in New Orleans on October 10, 1948, to a family of musical royalty. He was a member of the legendary NOLA funk band The Meters, along with his brother Art Neville, and later became a member of the Neville Brothers band along with his older brothers Aaron, Charles and Art. Neville has collaborated with numerous artists including Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Willie Nelson, and Dr. John. In 2005, Neville joined up with Tab Benoit, Waylon Thibodeaux, Johnny Sansone, Anders Osborne, Monk Boudreaux, George Porter, Jr., Johnny Vidacovich, and Dr. John to form the Voice of the Wetlands Allstars, bringing awareness to the loss of wetlands along the Gulf Coast. In 2010, Neville toured with New Orleans funk band Galactic, and in 2012, he formed blues-rock supergroup Royal Southern Brotherhood along with Devon Allman, Mike Zito, Charlie Wooton, and Yonrico Scott. Whether performing solo or with collaborators, Cyril Neville always leaves his audiences wanting more. Happy birthday, Cyril!

Photo by: Bruce Tuten