Celebrating the Birthday of Theryl "Houseman" DeClouet

Soul/R&B singer Theryl DeClouet was born in New Orleans on September 17, 1951. Also known as Houseman, DeClouet was best known as the one-time lead vocalist of the New Orleans funk and jazz group Galactic. But, he was more than that to band members who described him as a good friend, mentor, and musical collaborator. Declouet appeared on Galactic's first four studio albums as well as a live release and a compilation before health concerns forced his departure from the band and its heavy tour schedule. In 2001, he released “The Houseman Cometh” and in 2007, he released his independent solo effort, The Truth Iz Out, featuring support from longtime friend Ivan Neville and guitarist June Yamagishi. Sadly, Houseman passed away on July 15, 2018, at the age of 66. Today we celebrate his many contributions to New Orleans music and culture.

Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet from “The Houseman Cometh”

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!

Mardigramus - If I'd Known

Mardigramus the soothsayer dispenses pointless wisdom and useless observations every Tuesday. Today’s sooth is called “If I’d Known”. Click on the image to view his visionary video.

Happy Birthday, Harry Connick, Jr!

Harry (Joseph Harry Fowler) Connick Jr. was born on September 11, 1967, in New Orleans. Connick is a Grammy and Emmy-award winning American singer, composer, actor, and television host. He has sold over 28 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States. He has had seven top 20 US albums, and ten number-one US jazz albums, earning more number-one albums than any other artist in US jazz chart history. Happy Birthday, Harry!

By bg_nh2014 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42602732

Always Remember, Never Forget

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” — Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl.

On this solemn day, we remember the events of September 11 and reflect on the lives of those who were killed and injured. Never forget.

Mardigramus - A Good Day

Mardigramus the soothsayer dispenses pointless wisdom and useless observations every Tuesday. Today’s sooth is called “A Good Day”. Click on the image to view his visionary video.