46-434: " Tipitina " is a song written and made famous by Professor Longhair . The song has been widely covered and the Professor Longhair version was recorded in 1953 for Atlantic Records . "Tipitina" was first released in 1953. A previously unreleased alternate take (also recorded in 1953) was released on the album New Orleans Piano in 1972. Although the nature of his contributions are unknown, recording engineer Cosimo Matassa
92-600: A hit in New Orleans after its initial release, but was not as successful in the rest of the United States. The 1953 Professor Longhair version and the 1972 Dr. John version are both considered "Classic non Hot 100 songs". In 2011, the song was included in the National Recording Registry. Byrd received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award for this song. The song was listed among the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock in 1994 by
138-405: A large portion of the funk music that evolved in New Orleans." This is the syncopated, but straight subdivision feel of Cuban music (as opposed to swung subdivisions). Alexander Stewart stated that the popular feel was passed along from "New Orleans—through James Brown 's music, to the popular music of the 1970s," adding, "The singular style of rhythm & blues that emerged from New Orleans in
184-405: A large portion of the funk music that evolved in New Orleans." This is the syncopated, but straight subdivision feel of Cuban music (as opposed to swung subdivisions). Alexander Stewart stated that the popular feel was passed along from "New Orleans—through James Brown 's music, to the popular music of the 1970s," adding, "The singular style of rhythm & blues that emerged from New Orleans in
230-724: A single in 1953. This version is included on several albums including the CD reissue of the 1972 album New Orleans Piano , which contains the single take released in 1953 as well as the alternate take first released on the 1972 vinyl LP. Other albums that include this version are Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Piano Blues (2003) and Doctors, Professors, Kings & Queens (2004). Professor Longhair Henry Roeland " Roy " Byrd (December 19, 1918 – January 30, 1980), better known as Professor Longhair or "Fess" for short,
276-472: Is 'Longhair's Blues Rhumba', where he overlays a straightforward blues with a clave rhythm." The guajeo -like piano part for the rumba-boogie "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" (1949) employs the 2-3 clave onbeat/offbeat motif. The 2–3 clave time line is written above the piano excerpt for reference. According to Dr. John , the Professor "put funk into music ... Longhair's thing had a direct bearing I'd say on
322-420: Is 'Longhair's Blues Rhumba', where he overlays a straightforward blues with a clave rhythm." The guajeo -like piano part for the rumba-boogie "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" (1949) employs the 2-3 clave onbeat/offbeat motif. The 2–3 clave time line is written above the piano excerpt for reference. According to Dr. John , the Professor "put funk into music ... Longhair's thing had a direct bearing I'd say on
368-455: Is also acknowledged as a father figure by subtler players like Allen Toussaint and Dr. John ." Byrd was born on December 19, 1918, in Bogalusa, Louisiana , the son of Ella Mae (née Rhodes) and James Byrd. His distinctive style of piano playing was influenced by learning to play on an instrument that was missing some keys. He began his career in New Orleans in 1948. Mike Tessitore, owner of
414-405: Is also acknowledged as a father figure by subtler players like Allen Toussaint and Dr. John ." Byrd was born on December 19, 1918, in Bogalusa, Louisiana , the son of Ella Mae (née Rhodes) and James Byrd. His distinctive style of piano playing was influenced by learning to play on an instrument that was missing some keys. He began his career in New Orleans in 1948. Mike Tessitore, owner of
460-505: Is both a symbol and staple of New Orleans music." Allen Toussaint described learning the song as a "rite of passage". The subject of the song is unknown. Among the speculated subjects are a place and a person. Hugh Laurie recorded a cover of the song around the time of its selection to the National Recording Registry. He commented about the mystery as follows: "I thought it was better not knowing. It adds to its mystique and its power to make me laugh and cry all in one go." The song became
506-549: Is listed as the song's co-writer along with Roy Byrd, Professor Longhair's legal name. The song, which is considered a New Orleans music standard , was added to the US National Recording Registry in 2011 because of its cultural significance. The subject of "Tipitina" is unknown. According to an interview and a recording by Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) played at the WWOZ Piano Night concert in 2020, Tipitina
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#1732905089404552-418: Is named after one of Longhair's signature songs, and was created specifically as a venue for Longhair to perform in his aged years. A bust of Professor Longhair, sculpted by bluesman Coco Robicheaux , greets visitors upon entering the venue. In the 1940s, Professor Longhair was playing with Caribbean musicians, listening a lot to Perez Prado 's mambo records, and absorbing and experimenting with it all. He
598-418: Is named after one of Longhair's signature songs, and was created specifically as a venue for Longhair to perform in his aged years. A bust of Professor Longhair, sculpted by bluesman Coco Robicheaux , greets visitors upon entering the venue. In the 1940s, Professor Longhair was playing with Caribbean musicians, listening a lot to Perez Prado 's mambo records, and absorbing and experimenting with it all. He
644-405: Is not an exact pattern, but more of a loose organizing principle." Source: Professor Longhair discography, AllMusic Black or white, local or out-of-town, they all had Longhair's music in common. Just that mambo-rhumba boogie thing. Sources Roy Byrd Henry Roeland " Roy " Byrd (December 19, 1918 – January 30, 1980), better known as Professor Longhair or "Fess" for short,
690-447: Is now regarded as his "signature song". The melody is derived from Champion Jack Dupree 's " Junker's Blues ". Rolling Stone described the song as a " rhumba -style track" that has become a quintessential New Orleans standard. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , which inducted Longhair in 1992, "The hum-along nonsense syllables and stutter stepping left-hand rhythm of 'Tiptina'
736-732: The Caldonia Club, gave Longhair his stage name. Longhair first recorded in a band called the Shuffling Hungarians in 1949, creating four songs (including the first version of his signature song, "Mardi Gras in New Orleans") for the Star Talent record label. Union problems curtailed their release, but Longhair's next effort for Mercury Records the same year was a winner. Throughout the 1950s, he recorded for Atlantic Records , Federal Records and local labels. Professor Longhair had only one national commercial hit, "Bald Head", in 1950, under
782-559: The Caldonia Club, gave Longhair his stage name. Longhair first recorded in a band called the Shuffling Hungarians in 1949, creating four songs (including the first version of his signature song, "Mardi Gras in New Orleans") for the Star Talent record label. Union problems curtailed their release, but Longhair's next effort for Mercury Records the same year was a winner. Throughout the 1950s, he recorded for Atlantic Records , Federal Records and local labels. Professor Longhair had only one national commercial hit, "Bald Head", in 1950, under
828-454: The Mardi Gras" in 1959. He first recorded " Big Chief " with its composer, Earl King , in 1964. In the 1960s, Professor Longhair's career faltered. He became a janitor to support himself and fell into a gambling habit. After a few years during which he disappeared from the music scene, Professor Longhair's musical career finally received "a well deserved renaissance" and wide recognition. He
874-401: The Mardi Gras" in 1959. He first recorded " Big Chief " with its composer, Earl King , in 1964. In the 1960s, Professor Longhair's career faltered. He became a janitor to support himself and fell into a gambling habit. After a few years during which he disappeared from the music scene, Professor Longhair's musical career finally received "a well deserved renaissance" and wide recognition. He
920-561: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The song was also listed in the 1001 Songs: The Great Songs of All Time and the Artists, Stories and Secrets Behind Them (2006) by Toby Creswell as well as the Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era (2005) by Bruce Pollock. The National Recording Registry announcement for this song said the song is "a signature distillation of
966-679: The habanera, and related African-based single- celled figures have long been heard in the left hand-part of piano compositions by New Orleans musicians, such as Louis Moreau Gottschalk ("Souvenirs from Havana", 1859) and Jelly Roll Morton ("The Crave", 1910). One of Longhair's great contributions was the adaptation of Afro-Cuban two-celled, clave -based patterns in New Orleans blues. Michael Campbell stated, "Rhythm and blues influenced by Afro-Cuban music first surfaced in New Orleans. Professor Longhair's influence was ... far reaching. In several of his early recordings, Professor Longhair blended Afro-Cuban rhythms with rhythm and blues. The most explicit
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#17329050894041012-679: The habanera, and related African-based single- celled figures have long been heard in the left hand-part of piano compositions by New Orleans musicians, such as Louis Moreau Gottschalk ("Souvenirs from Havana", 1859) and Jelly Roll Morton ("The Crave", 1910). One of Longhair's great contributions was the adaptation of Afro-Cuban two-celled, clave -based patterns in New Orleans blues. Michael Campbell stated, "Rhythm and blues influenced by Afro-Cuban music first surfaced in New Orleans. Professor Longhair's influence was ... far reaching. In several of his early recordings, Professor Longhair blended Afro-Cuban rhythms with rhythm and blues. The most explicit
1058-425: The live concert, which was planned to be its climax). Footage from his funeral was included in the documentary. He was interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in New Orleans. Professor Longhair's manager through those renaissance years of his career was Allison Miner , of which jazz producer George Wein was quoted saying: "Her devotion to Professor Longhair gave him the best years of his life." Professor Longhair
1104-425: The live concert, which was planned to be its climax). Footage from his funeral was included in the documentary. He was interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in New Orleans. Professor Longhair's manager through those renaissance years of his career was Allison Miner , of which jazz producer George Wein was quoted saying: "Her devotion to Professor Longhair gave him the best years of his life." Professor Longhair
1150-500: The musical ideas and personality that inspired and influenced such New Orleans pianists as Fats Domino, Huey "Piano" Smith, James Booker, Dr. John and Allen Toussaint". According to Creswell, "Tipitina" "marshalled New Orleans rhythm into a sparkling package". The song has been widely covered as well as multiply recorded by Professor Longhair himself. The original Professor Longhair version was recorded in New Orleans in November 1953 under
1196-483: The name Professor Longhair & His Blues Scholars. According to John Crosby's Professor Longhair : a bio-discography , performers included Roy Byrd ( vocals , piano ), Lee Allen ( tenor saxophone ), Frank Fields ( bass ), Earl Palmer ( drums ), and Alvin "Red" Tyler ( baritone saxophone ). However, the Atlantic Records Discography credits Edgar Blanchard as the bassist. It was released as
1242-470: The name Roy Byrd and His Blues Jumpers. He also recorded his favorites, " Tipitina " and " Go to the Mardi Gras ". He lacked crossover appeal among white and wide audiences. Yet, he is regarded (and was acknowledged) as being a musician who was highly influential for other prominent musicians, such as Fats Domino , Allen Toussaint and Dr. John . After suffering a stroke, Professor Longhair recorded "No Buts – No Maybes" in 1957. He re-recorded "Go to
1288-470: The name Roy Byrd and His Blues Jumpers. He also recorded his favorites, " Tipitina " and " Go to the Mardi Gras ". He lacked crossover appeal among white and wide audiences. Yet, he is regarded (and was acknowledged) as being a musician who was highly influential for other prominent musicians, such as Fats Domino , Allen Toussaint and Dr. John . After suffering a stroke, Professor Longhair recorded "No Buts – No Maybes" in 1957. He re-recorded "Go to
1334-497: The retired RMS Queen Mary . By the 1980s his albums, such as Crawfish Fiesta on Alligator Records and New Orleans Piano on Atlantic Records , had become readily available across America. In 1974 he appeared on the PBS series Soundstage (with Dr. John, Earl King, and The Meters ). In 1980 he co-starred (with Tuts Washington and Allen Toussaint ) in the film documentary Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together which
1380-452: The retired RMS Queen Mary . By the 1980s his albums, such as Crawfish Fiesta on Alligator Records and New Orleans Piano on Atlantic Records , had become readily available across America. In 1974 he appeared on the PBS series Soundstage (with Dr. John, Earl King, and The Meters ). In 1980 he co-starred (with Tuts Washington and Allen Toussaint ) in the film documentary Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together which
1426-426: The years after World War II played an important role in the development of funk . In a related development, the underlying rhythms of American popular music underwent a basic, yet generally unacknowledged transition from triplet or shuffle feel to even or straight eighth notes. Concerning funk motifs, Stewart stated, "This model, it should be noted, is different from a time line (such as clave and tresillo) in that it
Tipitina - Misplaced Pages Continue
1472-426: The years after World War II played an important role in the development of funk . In a related development, the underlying rhythms of American popular music underwent a basic, yet generally unacknowledged transition from triplet or shuffle feel to even or straight eighth notes. Concerning funk motifs, Stewart stated, "This model, it should be noted, is different from a time line (such as clave and tresillo) in that it
1518-483: Was a type of or name of a bird. Rebennack said he had never heard of that before or since. The New Orleans music venue, Tipitina's , was named for the song, and Tipitina's Foundation bears the Tipitina name. Pianist Henry Roeland "Roy" Byrd, known as Professor Longhair, was a prominent New Orleans musician. He played syncopated music that combined blues , ragtime , zydeco , rhumba , mambo and calypso . His singing
1564-831: Was an American singer and pianist who performed New Orleans blues . He was active in two distinct periods, first in the heyday of early rhythm and blues and later in the resurgence of interest in traditional jazz after the founding of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1970. His piano style has been described as "instantly recognizable, combining rumba , mambo , and calypso ". Music journalist Tony Russell (in his book The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray ) wrote that "The vivacious rhumba -rhythmed piano blues and choked singing typical of Fess were too weird to sell millions of records; he had to be content with siring musical offspring who were simple enough to manage that, like Fats Domino or Huey "Piano" Smith . But he
1610-773: Was an American singer and pianist who performed New Orleans blues . He was active in two distinct periods, first in the heyday of early rhythm and blues and later in the resurgence of interest in traditional jazz after the founding of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1970. His piano style has been described as "instantly recognizable, combining rumba , mambo , and calypso ". Music journalist Tony Russell (in his book The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray ) wrote that "The vivacious rhumba -rhythmed piano blues and choked singing typical of Fess were too weird to sell millions of records; he had to be content with siring musical offspring who were simple enough to manage that, like Fats Domino or Huey "Piano" Smith . But he
1656-430: Was characterized as hoarse. His peripatetic recording career began in 1949 with "Mardi Gras In New Orleans" and "She's Got No Hair" with a group credited as "Longhair and his Shuffling Hungarians." A year later at Mercury Records and Roy Byrd & his Blues Jumpers rerecorded "She's Got No Hair" as "Bald Head", which broke through as his only national R&B hit. In 1953, at Atlantic Records, he recorded "Tipitina", which
1702-532: Was covered by Hugh Laurie on the 2011 CD album Let Them Talk . Laurie is a long-time fan, having used Longhair's "Go to the Mardi Gras" as the theme for the pilot episode of A Bit of Fry & Laurie . Laurie used to perform these two songs regularly during his world concert tours of 2011–2014 with The Copper Bottom Band, and in March 2013 paid tribute to Professor Longhair in a special concert on board RMS Queen Mary . The New Orleans music venue Tipitina's
1748-484: Was covered by Hugh Laurie on the 2011 CD album Let Them Talk . Laurie is a long-time fan, having used Longhair's "Go to the Mardi Gras" as the theme for the pilot episode of A Bit of Fry & Laurie . Laurie used to perform these two songs regularly during his world concert tours of 2011–2014 with The Copper Bottom Band, and in March 2013 paid tribute to Professor Longhair in a special concert on board RMS Queen Mary . The New Orleans music venue Tipitina's
1794-425: Was especially enamored with Cuban music. Longhair's style was known locally as "rumba-boogie". Alexander Stewart stated that Longhair was a key figure bridging the worlds of boogie-woogie and the new style of rhythm and blues. In his composition "Misery," Professor Longhair played a habanera -like figure in his left hand. The deft use of triplets in the right hand is a characteristic of Longhair's style. Tresillo ,
1840-425: Was especially enamored with Cuban music. Longhair's style was known locally as "rumba-boogie". Alexander Stewart stated that Longhair was a key figure bridging the worlds of boogie-woogie and the new style of rhythm and blues. In his composition "Misery," Professor Longhair played a habanera -like figure in his left hand. The deft use of triplets in the right hand is a characteristic of Longhair's style. Tresillo ,
1886-542: Was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981. In 1987, he was awarded a posthumous Grammy Award for a collection of recordings produced by Quint Davis in 1971 and 1972 released as House Party New Orleans Style . He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Professor Longhair was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2016 at his former home in New Orleans. His song " Tipitina "
Tipitina - Misplaced Pages Continue
1932-427: Was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981. In 1987, he was awarded a posthumous Grammy Award for a collection of recordings produced by Quint Davis in 1971 and 1972 released as House Party New Orleans Style . He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Professor Longhair was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2016 at his former home in New Orleans. His song " Tipitina "
1978-696: Was invited to perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1971 and at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973. His album The London Concert showcases work he did on a visit to the United Kingdom. That significant career resurrection saw the recording of the album Live on the Queen Mary , which was recorded on March 24, 1975, during a private party hosted by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney on board
2024-459: Was invited to perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1971 and at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973. His album The London Concert showcases work he did on a visit to the United Kingdom. That significant career resurrection saw the recording of the album Live on the Queen Mary , which was recorded on March 24, 1975, during a private party hosted by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney on board
2070-406: Was produced and directed by filmmaker Stevenson Palfi. That documentary (which aired on public television in 1982 and was rarely seen since), plus a long interview with Fess (which was recorded two days before his sudden death), were included in the 2018 released project "Fess Up". Professor Longhair died in his sleep of a heart attack while the filming of the documentary was under way (and before
2116-406: Was produced and directed by filmmaker Stevenson Palfi. That documentary (which aired on public television in 1982 and was rarely seen since), plus a long interview with Fess (which was recorded two days before his sudden death), were included in the 2018 released project "Fess Up". Professor Longhair died in his sleep of a heart attack while the filming of the documentary was under way (and before
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