Issue Articles
In memoriam: Henry Gray (1925 – 2020)
An instantly recognizable blues pianist and singer, Henry Gray died of natural causes in Baton Rouge January 17. He was 95. A belated 2017 inductee into the Blues Hall of […]
In Memoriam: Robert Parker (1930-2020)
Bandleader, sideman, artist and composer Robert Parker died at his Roseland, Louisiana home on January 19 from natural causes. He was 89. Best known for the infectious, international hit “Barefootin’,” […]
In memoriam: Jerome “Jerry” Jumonville (1941 – 2019)
New Orleans saxophonist, arranger and composer Jerry Jumonville passed away on December 7, 2019 after a long illness. Originally from New Orleans, he was based in Los Angeles for much […]
In Memoriam: Earl Bernhardt (1939-2019)
Earl Bernhardt, an entrepreneur, co-proprietor of the Tropical Isle chain of French Quarter clubs (with longtime partner Pam Fortner), friend and employer to many working musicians, and long-time president of […]
Billy Vera, Rip It Up—The Specialty Records Story (BMG)
Part of the RPM series of recent books documenting the history of U.S. independent record labels from the mid- 1940s to the late-1950s, Specialty Records was one of the most […]
Chinese Bandits: An early musical tribute to LSU football champs
As a tip of the hat to the success of the current LSU football squad, OffBeat takes pleasure in recalling a killer New Orleans R&B tribute to the Fightin’ Tigers […]
Various Artists, Blues Kings of Baton Rouge (Bear Family)
Most of this material has been around the track more times than a seven-year-old Fair Ground’s claimer. J.D. Miller’s usual suspects are in the mix, but for the first time, […]
Bobby Rush, Sitting on Top of the Blues (Deep Rush)
Blues Man Eighty-six years young with 26 albums to his credit, Bobby Rush, a native of Tallulah, Louisiana, is like Ole Man River, he just keeps rolling along. Like […]
The Beverage Roots of Swamp Pop: Who Knew?
All around the world, Swamp Pop now refers to the style of rock ‘n’ roll which is strictly indigenous to Southwest Louisiana. The music rose to popularity in the late […]
Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues, “Roots and Branches: The Songs of Little Walter” (Alligator Records)
Little Walter, the master of the Hohner, was to the harmonica what Wayne Gretzky was to ice hockey, what Leonardo Da Vinci was to oil painting, what Mark Twain was […]
