Professor Longhair

Today, December 19, is the birthday of piano player Henry Byrd, better known as Professor Longhair. Born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, he defined a distinctive style of piano playing identified with New Orleans. He only had one commercial hit, Bald Head, in the early 60's, but songs like Big Chief and Tipitina are famous as New Orleans classics. The club Tipitina's at Napoleon and Tchopitoulas is named after the song.

This video was, I think, shot pretty late in Fess' life. I love its simplicity, the way his hands move on the keyboard, and the sound of his voice. It's just him at the piano, performing Tipitina:

Tipitina