Professor Longhair - Mardi Gras In New Orleans

The alpha and omega of New Orleans boogie piano

The heir to the rich musical tradition represented by such colourfully larger than life characters as Joseph Red Cayou and Kid Stormy Weather, Professor Longhair (aka Henry Roland Byrd, or plain Fess to his friends) is widely considered to be the king of New Orleans boogie woogie piano.

Starting out as plain old Roy Bird in 1948, a club owner christened him Professor Longhair on the basis of his wild appearance at a New Orleans’ Caledonia Inn residency. Famous for kicking holes in his pianos by way of wild percussive effects, it wasn’t long before the Prof found himself recording sessions for Star Talent, Mercury and Atlantic, while later recording under the name of Robert Boyd for the obscure Wasco label.

The 20 tracks here are all seriously vintage, dating from the late 40s and early 50s sessions that both established and consolidated his reputation as a recording artist of some renown. Far from trad boogie, the Prof’s spectacular all-action style takes in elements of jive, swing, R&B and blues. Fêted by Dr John, these 20 foot-stompers are reminders of why the Prof remains such a key historical figure in New Orleans’s history.

SPV Blue Label | SPV 49912 CD

Reviewed by Grahame Bent
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