Local R&B mainstay Tommy Ridgley hopes three new albums rekindle the spotlight he enjoyed 30 years ago.

Tommy Ridgley -- one of the originators of New Orleans rhythm & blues,” WWOZ record professor Billy Delle lectured his radio audience one Wednesday night in December. “When you mention Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Tommy Ridgley’s name has to be included in that bunch.”

Most of the major New Orleans musicians who helped forge a revolution in ...