New Orleans, Louisiana loves to party, and they love their piano players. When it comes to partying piano players from New Orleans, Professor Longhair has no equal.
December 19, 1918
January 30, 1980
Bogalusa, Louisiana
His ultra-rhythmic piano style and quirky vocals gave him a truly unique sound. His music helped define the New Orleans R&B sound.
In New Orleans, Professor Longhair is just known as the "Fess".
The Fess only had one hit record in 1950, Bald Head, but in New Orleans his recordings became party anthems. Big Chief, Tipitina, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and Junko Partner have raised the roof on many steamy house parties in the Big Easy.
Byrd got his stage name from a local nightclub owner.
Henry Byrd grew up in New Orleans as a child of the streets, learning to play several instruments. After paying his dues on the street and in local clubs, the Fess first recorded in 1949. His recording career lasted until the early 1960's. Hard times and ill health were next and he faded from the public eye.
Professor Longhair made a dramatic comeback in the 1970's. He was re-discovered in a record store sweeping floors. Fess went on to record again and was touring Europe and making local appearances in New Orleans. He performed at the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and his star was again rising. He was in the middle of filming the documentary Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together when he died.
The Fess's music remains a big part of today's New Orleans music scene. It's played constantly and covered by legions of local musicians. Piano players around the world aspire to his rhythmic genius and revel in "chasing" the Fess.
Henry Byrd died in his sleep of a heart attack in his beloved New Orleans 1980 at the age of 61.
