Geaux Blues! Who's your favorite Louisiana CREOLE musician?

Answer 1

Favorite Answer

"Creole" is a tricky definition in New Orleans. As fun as Doug Kershaw is live, he's definitely Cajun and not a New Orleanian. Creoles are/were a higher social class among the African American community, evidenced by our first three black mayors were Creole: Ernest "Dutch" Morial, Sidney Barthelemy and Marc Morial.

I hate to hammer this point again: Cajuns are southwest of New Orleans. Their capitol is Lafayette. They arrived from what is now Nova Scotia. Both Cajuns and Creoles bristle at being called the other.

Most obvious is Allen Toussaint. 'Nuff said.

"There's A Party Goin' On"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bUgKgudR0o

Tommy Ladnier, great trumpeter in the 30s who died suddenly. One of the few players who could play with Sidney Bechet and not be overwhelmed. Here's "Weary Blues" with Sidney Bechet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woPzWeRmclg

More avante-garde clarinetist Alvin Batiste was a guy I could listen to all night in a dark, smoky club. He played sad so well. Such emotion, bringing to mind Sarah Vaughan gently scolding a young Jon Faddis backstage in Detroit with "Why don't you slow that thing down and say something with it?"

Alvin Batiste said stuff.

"Late" Nice and bluesy with that New Orleans touch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMGhoBxLjF4

EDIT: Henry Roeland Byrd aka Professor Longhair and Fats Domino are not among the Creole population. Fess gave us many a joyful night at the Maple Leaf and other bars. So did Irma Thomas.

Answer 2

Camille Nickerson isn't mentioned enough around here.

*waits for MM's response eagerly :) *

He's always got interesting stuff to say about Creole music

@Martin--Once again, calling out my skills, huh? ;) Actually, no. I visited N.O. two years ago and heard much about her from our waiter in the french quarter when I asked about the paino peice a man who looked to be about 102 was tinkering away at. Sorry, I don't have an mp3 to prove that one to you :P

Answer 3

One of the earliest musical exports from America to Europe, Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-69). Bamboula

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOYnuC6twfI

Source(s): I knew the name and the piece already, I only had to look him up to confirm his dates and the fact that his mother was Creole.

Answer 4

Difficult to move flawed with "Basin avenue Blues". "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" can be an extraordinarily underneath-appreciated tune. Some could argue it is nation, but it's undoubtedly steeped in blues, primarily when executed by means of guys like Jeff Healey.

Answer 5

Fats Domino

Answer 6

Another one of my all time favorites from growing up.

Doug Kershaw - Louisiana man http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEYTqS32Y10

Doug Kershaw -Cajun Joe Bully Of The Bayou http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSLX4b5zy00

take care

dave

Answer 7

Easy, Jelly Roll Morton.

Hope, you know you just googled creole musicians ;)

Answer 8

Professor Longhair, of course!!

@ Martin: I seriously doubt hope had to google anything...i've seen her posts around her, and the lady knows her music!