Spirit Of Professor Longhair Alive At New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival

ASSOCIATED PRESS - Professor Longhair performed in the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 13, 1973.




NEW ORLEANS

High above the largest annual Jazz in this city and Heritage Festival stage hangs a three-dimensional sculpture with an image of a pianist contemplating 400,000 concertgoers who congregate here to listen marquee headliners such as Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire.

The festival is a rite of spring this city, with bands, groups Cajun, gospel choirs and traditional jazz musicians. The festival cannot know the identity of the pianist hanging over them, but they should. He is Professor Longhair, patron saint of music in New Orleans. “Fess " was known as Henry Roeland Byrd, died in 1980.




But until this year, their influence has remained largely unheralded, except during the carnival season, when their songs, “Big Chief “and " Go to the Mardi Gras ," are as common here as carols in December. His recordings - highly syncopated, highly sociable - are considered the basis for anyone trying to play New Orleans rhythm and blues piano.

"Everyone has to come to terms with it. You cannot do like him, but you have to do something," says pianist George Winston devotee long hair.

Thirty-four years after the death of long hair, there has been an increased interest in his life and meaning. Two film projects - a feature of Hollywood and a documentary -

both with the goal of having his remarkable life story is in the works. And a restoration funded community home was completed this month, just weeks before the opening of the 45th edition of the jazz festival, where long hair in 1971 released Friday.



“For something called the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which is a little backwards. Which is actually, it is the heritage of jazz festival The only thing that New Orleans can always say that no one in anyone can,

it's your birthright jazz and the union of all these influences from Africa, the Caribbean, “said Quint Davis, producer of jazz festival founder and CEO of Festival Productions . "For us, Fess was the perfect link to show that. "

When he died at the Long Haired 61, who was in the middle of a rediscovery - his recording studio dearest, “Crawfish Fiesta" (Alligator Records) happened to be released the day of his death. He was about to embark on a tour across Europe for the Clash opening for which would take place before his biggest audience yet.

At home, the spoils of sudden fame were evident in 1738 Terpsichore St., where he lived. Leading often plugged an electric piano and played for the neighborhood. He died in his bed of natural causes after a late night dinner of red beans and spaghetti.

In the ensuing decades, especially following the death of his wife, Alice, in 1989, the house was the victim of looters, hurricanes and general neglect. Katrina moved permanently daughter Patricia Byrd , who retained ownership of the property. She and her son ended up living in hotels, with friends, and established temporary housing for displaced musicians.