Funky Butt proprietor Richard Rochester was born in Anniston, Alabama, infamous for its chemical dumps and high rates of cancer. Leaving Alabama at the age of 16 to tour the planet, Richard arrived in New Orleans at age 38. After a stint as tour guide, Richard opened the Funky Butt in 1996, an event precipitated by Richard's friendship with one of the legends of New Orleans music.

Rochester recounts the tale: "When I came to New Orleans I hardly knew anything about jazz music except for, l...