Celebrating the Birthday of "Big Al" Carson

Blues and jazz singer Alton "Big Al" Carson was born in New Orleans on October 2, 1953, playing tuba as well as performing as a singer. Carson studied music in the New Orleans school system and at Xavier University, and began his career playing tuba with renowned brass bands. During his life, he performed and recorded with multiple jazz and brass bands in New Orleans, as well as with his own band, the Blues Masters. In 1994, he performed for the Dutch royal family whileon a New Orleans music tour that included Aaron Neville and Ernie K-Doe. Carson performed annually in the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the French Quarter Festival, as well as appearing as Santa Claus at the New Orleans Riverwalk Marketplace. Sadly, Carson died on April 26, 2020 at the age of 66 after a heart attack. Today we celebrate the joy he brought to his fans in his beloved New Orleans and around the world.

Photo: Infrogmation

Celebrating the 24th anniversary of Basin Street Records!

Basin Street Records is a Grammy Award-winning independent record label based in New Orleans, that specializes in jazz, funk, and rhythm and blues. Founded in 1997 by Mark Samuels and Tom Thompson, the label arose out of a project to release a live album for New Orleans jazz trumpeter and vocalist Kermit Ruffins. This September 30th, we celebrate the anniversary of the founding of Basin Street Records with a Kermit live stream marathon! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Jerry Lee Lewis!

Singer songwriter and pianist Jerry Lee Lewis was born on September 29, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana. Known by his nickname, The Killer, Lewis has been described as "rock & roll's first great wild man.” His 1957 rock n roll hit "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" achieved worldwide fame for Lewis. Hits "Great Balls of Fire", "Breathless" and "High School Confidential" followed, but his career faltered in the years after his 1958 marriage to his third wife, Myra Gale Brown, his 13-year-old cousin. Lewis’ live performances became increasingly wild and energetic, and his 1964 live album Live at the Star Club, Hamburg, is regarded by many as one of the wildest and greatest live rock albums. In 1968, Lewis transitioned to country music, reigniting his career and resulting in chart-topping country-western hits. Lewis continues to release albums and tour worldwide. He has a dozen gold records in both rock and country, and has won several Grammy awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Lewis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Happy birthday, Killer!

By By photographer:Maurice Seymour, Chicago. (eBay item photo front photo back) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons - File:Jerry Lee Lewis 1950s.JPG, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47369105

Mardigramus - Too Nosy

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

Happy Birthday, Lil Wayne!

Rapper, singer, songwriter, record executive, entrepreneur and actor Lil Wayne (DeWayne Michael Carter, Jr) was born on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans. He was discovered in 1995 at age 12, and was part of several groups, and he released his debut solo album in 1999, which was certified platinum. His popularity grew and he gained prominence, with albums being certified gold, and culminating in a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2008. Lil Wayne’s success continued but was interrupted by an 8-month jail sentence in New York due to a 2007 weapon possession incident. His 8th studio album was released during his incarceration in 2010, and another was released following his release from jail. In September 2012, Lil Wayne became the first male artist to achieve 109 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, surpassing Elvis Presley. Lil Wayne has sold over 15 million albums in the United States, and more than 120 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He is also the CEO of his own label, Young Money Entertainment.

By Megan Elice Meadows - IMG_0534, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54753000

Happy Birthday, Nicholas Payton!

Trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Nicholas Payton was born in New Orleans on September 26, 1973, to bassist and sousaphonist Walter Payton. He started playing trumpet at 4, and was sitting in with his dad and the Young Tuxedo Brass Band by 9. His first professional job was at 10 with James Andrews’ All-Star Brass, and he got his first steady gig with Danny Barker! Payton’s musical journey is impressive and storied, including a Grammy at age 25 for his collaboration with Doc Cheatham, as well as composing, arranging, performing and recording with his own groups, as well as his full orchestral work The Black American Symphony in 2012. He has also collaborated with notable artists including Ray Charles, Dr John, Herbie Hancock, Zigaboo Modeliste, Jill Scott, Allen Toussaint, Nancy Wilson, and Dr. Michael White. Payton formed his own record label, BMF Records, in 2013, and has written on a multitude of provocative subjects that have sparked great interest and debate. Happy birthday to a true virtuoso!

By Infrogmation - Photo by Infrogmation, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2063666