You've
probably heard The Meters's Mardi Gras Mambo as colorful floats of all shapes and sizes roll down
Bourbon Street. Or perhaps you listen to
WWOZ (90.7 MHz) in your car after a long day's work. Depending on the mood of
the songs, they may pump you up, titillate your imagination, or evoke
nostalgia. But have you ever wondered who composed the songs that the city
knows and loves today? Whether they're alive or dead, these five musicians have
pioneered in the production of jazz music. On November 13, show them your
appreciation by sharing their work with your friends and family.
Louis
Armstrong
Louis
Armstrong, also known as "Satchmo," was one of the world's most famous jazz
musicians who influenced not only jazz history but also New Orleans' cultural
landscape. A New Orleans native, he gained prominence in the 1920s, followed by
his first-recorded solo "Chimes Blues" with the help of his mentor King Oliver. His hit
records such as "When The Saints Go Marching In," "The Mardi Gras March," and "Boy from New Orleans" helped bring the city and its
culture to life in the minds of his audience. In conjunction with his adept
trumpeting skills and his well-known raspy tenor, Armstrong left his mark in
the city, now known as the birthplace of jazz.
You can listen to Armstrong's songs on Spotify. For more information about his legacy, visit neworleans.com.
Fats
Domino
A gifted
pianist and a crooning singer, Antoine "Fats" Domino, Jr. took the rock 'n'
roll world by a powerful yet gentle storm. He kicked off his musical career in
1949 with the national hit "The Fat Man." Influenced by trumpeter and songwriter Dave
Bartholomew, he eventually released more of his greatest hits, including "Blueberry Hill," "Walking to New Orleans," and "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)," which combine elements from R&B and rock
'n' roll. Domino's songs were so phenomenal that he became one of the
top-selling rock 'n' roll artists in the world, following Elvis Presley; as a
matter of fact, his prowess influenced major record companies to help other local
musicians follow their dreams.
You can
listen to Domino's songs on Spotify. For more information about his legacy,
visit fatsdominoofficial.com.
Preservation
Hall Jazz Band
Formed in
1961 by local couple Allan and Sandra Jaffe, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
dedicated itself to keeping the spirit of New Orleans jazz alive and well. The
band got its name from the historically treasured Preservation
Hall, which served
as the heart of jazz performances during the Jim Crow era. They began touring
in 1963, where they released hit songs such as "Tailgate Ramble," "Louisiana Fairytale," and "Down By The Riverside." New York, California, and even
Thailand got a taste of what life in the Big Easy was like from the band's
performances. Ben Jaffe, who is Allan and Sandra's son, currently leads the
band, and they're still going strong. Their most recent album, "A Tuba to Cuba," was released in 2019, following the
release of the documentary film of the same name.
You can listen to the band's songs on Spotify. For more information and to check tour dates, visit preservationhalljazzband.com.
Kermit
Ruffins
Kermit Ruffins is a living example of the New Orleans motto, "Let the good times roll!" A trumpeter and vocalist who combines elements of hip-hop and R&B, Ruffins was influenced by jazz giants Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway, which led to him co-founding the Rebirth Brass Band in high school. Songs such as "Do Whatcha Wanna" and "Take It to the Street" helped preserve city's second-line culture. He eventually left the band in 1993 to focus on producing solo work. He joined forces with the Barbecue Swingers in 1992. Together, they released hit records such as The Barbecue Swingers Live, Live at Vaughn's, and Big Easy. Today, he continues to inspire musicians within Louisiana, which will keep New Orleans' jazz culture alive for generations to come.
You can
listen to Ruffins's songs on Spotify. For more information, visit basinstreetrecords.com and facebook.com/kermitruffinsnola.
Trombone
Shorty
Born to a musical family in the musical Tremé neighborhood, Troy Andrews' musical career kicked off at a very young age. Although he mastered the trombone, trumpet, and drums, he stuck to the trombone as his instrument of choice. Because the trombone was twice his height, his brother called him "Trombone Shorty," and the name stuck with him ever since. He composes what he calls "Supafunkrock," a genre that combines the elements of rock, pop, jazz, funk, and hip-hop. So far, Trombone Shorty has performed around the world and across the country, appeared in the PBS documentary Austin City Limits, and published two children's books. Be sure to check out his latest record Parking Lot Symphony, which captures the essence of the city through a range of deep-groove funk and brass band tunes such as "Laveau Dirge No. 1," "It Ain't No Use," and "No Good Time." Trombone Shorty hopes that his music will unite people, which is so much needed in a tumultuous time.
You can
listen to Trombone Shorty's songs on Spotify. For more information, visit tromboneshorty.com and facebook.com/TromboneShorty.
