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Music clubs are rarely dedicated to a single musician, and few as influential as performer, composer, and pianist Professor Longhair. Henry Roeland Byrd, (a.k.a. Professor Longhair) is one of the most revered rhythm and blues musicians in the legacy of New Orleans music. Fess has composed many songs which are part of the Crescent City lexicon, like “Mardi Gras in New Orleans,” which serves as the soundtrack to carnival every year. Longhair has influenced his musical peers and progeny in the Crescent City since the 1950s including Dr. John, the Meters, the Neville Brothers, Allen Toussaint, and many others. Longhair created a unique style by fusing rhumba rhythms with boogie-woogie, blues and southern R&B.

Tipitina’s began as a neighborhood juke joint, established in 1977, by a group of young music fans (The Fabulous Fo’teen) to provide a place for Professor Longhair to perform in his final years. The venue, named for one of Longhair’s most enigmatic recordings “Tipitina,” has survived in an ever-changing musical climate despite changing ownership and briefly closing in 1984. In the past 25 years, Tipitina’s has grown from a small, neighborhood bar into an international music icon. The venue has expanded into a two-story, 1,000 capacity music venue located at the famed corner of Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas. Tipitina’s now has resources such as a web site, recording studio, record label, and a dynamic special events department.

Tipitina’s has always celebrated and supported New Orleans music and culture through a variety of community-based projects including:
# Tipitina’s Walk of Fame: Honoring past and present New Orleans music legends illuminated on the sidewalk beside the club.
# Injuns A’ Comin’: An all-star musical benefit held April 30, 2001 which raised $20,000 for the Mardi Gras Indian Council in support of the great Indian tradition.
# Instruments A’ Comin’: An all-star musical benefit held April 29, 2002 which raised $22,000 to purchase instruments for 2 local high school bands.
# Homegrown Night: A forum for emerging talent on Tuesday nights. Bands earn opening or headlining spots for other prime nights based on attendance.
# Foutainbleau Rehearsal Facility: A 200 room rehearsal facility providing a place for emerging and established talent to hone their craft.
# Sunday Cajun Fais Do Do: This Cajun dance party is 14 years and running. Hosted by the Bruce Daigrepont Band celebrating the rich Acadian culture of western Louisiana.

Many of the Crescent City’s most beloved artists developed and continue to grace the stage at Tipitina’s including Dr. John, the Neville Brothers, the Meters, Cowboy Mouth, the Radiators, Galactic, and Better Than Ezra. Tipitina’s has been fortunate over its history to host national artists including Wilco, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Lenny Kravitz, Bonnie Raitt, James Brown, Widespread Panic, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tim McGraw, Goo Goo Dolls, Parliament Funkadelic, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, and Medeski, Martin & Wood. Many historic live recordings were made at Tipitina’s by artists like the Neville Brothers, Anders Osborne, Kermit Ruffins, and most recently, Galactic. As a timeless musical institution, Tipitina’s has promoted unforgettable music over its rich history and will continue to well into the future.

New Orleans Gambit Weekly readers have once again voted Tipitina’s Best Live Music Venue and Best Place to Dance to a Live Band. Thanks!

Website: Tipitina’s

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Filed under Live Music, Dancing, Jazz Clubs, New Orleans, Louisiana, Nightlife.
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