Celebrating the Birthday of Tuba Fats

Jazz tubist and bandleader Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen was born in New Orleans on September 15, 1950, and was the Crescent City’s most famous tuba player and played traditional New Orleans jazz and blues for over 40 years. While he was born and spent most of his life in New Orleans, his music took him on a number of tours of Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America.

He was known for many years to lead a band playing for tips in Jackson Square in the French Quarter, where he gave much encouragement to younger musicians. He played professionally with brass bands such as the Young Tuxedo, E. Gibson, Doc Paulin, Onward, Algiers, Treme, and Olympia Brass Bands, and with his own band, Tuba Fats & the Chosen Few Brass Band. Tuba Fats made many important jazz recordings; notably those under his own name on the Jazz Crusade label. Tuba Fats was married to the late blues shouter Linda Young with whom he often toured in Europe.

Sadly, he passed away on January 11, 2004, and was buried in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 one week later, after a jazz funeral. Today we celebrate his life and his legacy!

Happy Birthday, Papa Jon Gros!

Singer-songwriter, pianist, guitarist and French horn player John “Papa” Gros was born in New Orleans on September 9, 1966, began playing gigs when he was just fifteen years old, and graduated from Loyola in 1989 with a degree in French Horn performance. For years he performed solo on Bourbon Street and developed a reputation as a talented sideman, backing up New Orleans legends. But it was as an organist and pianist for George Porter Jr.’s Runnin’ Pardners in the 1990s that he really kicked off his career. In 2000, after a series of impromptu jam sessions with friends, Gros formed Papa Grows Funk with guitarist June Yamagishi, sax player Jason Mingledorf, bassist Marc Pero and drummer Russell Batiste, Jr., who was later replaced by Jeffery "Jellybean" Alexander. For 13 years, the legendary band performed weekly at the famous Maple Leaf Bar, mixing the smooth sophistication of a jazz quintet with the wild, anything-goes spirit of Mardi Gras. Papa Grows Funk performances became a staple for locals and tourists alike, and eventually led to six albums and an international tour. In 2004, he kicked off his solo career with the album Day's End, while continuing to perform with PGF. The band called it quits in 2013, but subsequent years they frequently reunited for performances on the Monday following the second weekend of Jazz Fest.

After PGF’s run ended, Gros continued working as sideman for New Orleans artists, as well as and playing organ during a pair of all-star tributes to Dr. John and the Neville Brothers. The 2014 Dr. John tribute, The Music Mojo of Dr. John, was later released as a critically-acclaimed live album that featured Gros playing with Bruce Springsteen, Mavis Staples, Jason Isbell, and John Fogerty. The tribute concerts allowed him to play alongside his two biggest influences, Doctor John and Art Neville, both of whom passed in 2019. After the tribute concerts, Gros focused again on his solo career and released his second solo album River’s On Fire in 2016. And in 2020, he released his third solo album Central City, which is a collection of Gros’ feel good originals alongside his takes on beloved classic songs, and featuring numerous New Orleans luminaries including Ivan Neville, Don Vappie, Brian Stoltz, Mark Mullins, and George Porter Jr.

Gros has brought his city’s celebratory culture to listeners around the world, and today we all celebrate this amazing artist’s birthday with him!

Celebrating the Birthday of Buddy Bolden

Cornetist Charles Joseph “Buddy” Bolden was born in New Orleans on September 6, 1877, was one of the founding fathers of jazz. Many jazz musicians, including Jelly Roll Morton and the great trumpeter Louis Armstrong, acclaimed him as one of the most powerful musicians ever to play jazz. Little is known about the details of Bolden’s career, but it is documented that by about 1895 he was leading a band. Acknowledged as the cornet king of New Orleans, Bolden often worked with six or seven different bands simultaneously. In 1906 his emotional stability began to crumble, and the following year he was committed to the East Louisiana State Hospital, where he died on November 4, 1931. Today we remember, celebrate and appreciate Buddy Bolden’s musical legacy!

Happy Birthday, Terrance Simien!

Zydeco musician, vocalist and songwriter Terrance Simien was born September 3, 1965, in Mallet, Louisiana, and is an eighth generation Creole from one of the earliest Creole families that settled in St. Landry Parish. He was introduced to music via the piano at home, the Catholic Church choir, and playing trumpet in school band programs. He taught himself to play accordion in his teens and formed his first band Terrance Simien & The Mallet Playboys, playing regionally.

In the early 1980s, Simien was one of only two emerging zydeco artists performing and continuing the traditions of zydeco roots music. Simien and his group have toured internationally, presenting over 9000 live performances in more than 45 countries, and released dozens of solo recordings and collaborations. He has shared studio and stage with the likes of Paul Simon, Dr. John, The Meters, Marcia Ball, Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, Robert Palmer and Los Lobos. In 2008, Simien and his group won the Grammy Award for Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album, and in 2013, he and several of his other band mates won their second Grammy for Best Regional Roots Record.

Simien has appeared on screen and contributed to the soundtracks of multiple movies, television films and commercials. He contributed to the soundtracks of the films, The Princess and the Frog, The Big Easy, Exit To Eden and A Murder Of Crows. Simien and his business partner/wife, Cynthia, are active in Creole music education and advocacy, having created the "Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco" performing arts program, and MusicMatters, Inc., a non-profit for education and advocacy.

Simien is one of the most accomplished and respected artists in American roots music. Today we celebrate and wish Terrance a very happy birthday!

Photo: Carl Lender

Happy Birthday, Davell Crawford!

Pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger Davell Crawford was born in New Orleans on September 3, 1975, began playing piano when he was seven and first toured Europe in his early teens. Crawford brings a synthesis of styles (jazz, funk, R&B, and gospel) to his piano playing, singing and songwriting. Fats Domino, Sarah Vaughan, Patsy Cline and Liberace are among his many influences, and he believes in the art of entertainment, occasionally leaving his piano to talk and joke with his audience. Acclaimed as the “Piano Prince of New Orleans,” Crawford brings equal exuberance to both modern and classic jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, blues, gospel, soul, pop, American folk and touches of country-western.

However, Gospel is at the heart of everything that Crawford does. As a child, Crawford attended both Baptist and the Catholic churches and watched the pipe organist so attentively that when he first sat in front of the impressive instrument he already knew the function of the stops and pedals. The organ at his church was the first he ever played and throughout his life he’s continued to man the organ in both church and club settings. At just 10 years old, he took on the position of accompanist to the St. Peter Claver Catholic Church choir, and by the time he was 11, he became the youth choir director, pianist and organist to the sanctuary and men’s choruses at the St. Joseph Baptist Church. Since then Crawford has traveled the world conducting choral workshops and making appearances in gospel music. He has also hosted award winning gospel ensembles and formed The Davell Crawford Singers, who continue to perform and can be heard on his CD, My Gift To You. That being said, Crawford is also fully versed in the traditional jazz songbook of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Crawford plays and sings the music of his passion—the music of his life. He has soaked up the surrounding rhythms and harmonies of New Orleans that were his deep musical roots and nurtured his natural talent. In the inimitable New Orleans tradition, Crawford is a passionate performer who has a flair for the art of entertainment, engaging the audience with his winning personality and sense of humor. Happy Birthday, Davell!

Photo: Facebook

Happy Birthday, Branford Marsalis!

Branford Marsalis was born on August 26, 1960, in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, to one of the premier musical families in the world. Branford is an saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque. He is the son of Dolores, a jazz singer and substitute teacher, and Ellis Louis Marsalis, Jr., an acclaimed pianist and music professor. His brothers Jason Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Delfeayo Marsalis are also world famous jazz musicians.

Photo by: darlene susco - https://www.flickr.com/people/63102512@N06