Dr. John performs at the 2016 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, photo by Noé Cugny

Dr. John Estate Commemorates Five Years and Four Acclaimed Albums

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The legendary Dr. John, who passed away on June 6, 2019, continues to be mourned by fans, friends, and family worldwide. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and six-time Grammy Award winner has left a lasting musical legacy with four critically acclaimed albums released by his estate, including a Grammy-nominated posthumous studio album.

The Dr. John Estate has released the following four albums:

  1. Things Happen That Way (2022): Dr. John’s final studio album, released posthumously on Rounder Records, received a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album. This Americana hit features guest artists Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real (“Guilded Splinters”), Willie Nelson (“Old Time Religion”), and Aaron Neville (“End of the Line”). Renowned critic Robert Christgau awarded the album an A-, describing it as “the most committed album hard-hustling New Orleans piano maestro Mac Rebennack recorded in his last two decades on earth.”
  2. The Montreux Years 1986-2012 (2023): This compilation, released on BMG, includes decades of Dr. John’s legendary live performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival. All About Jazz praised it, stating, “Lovingly curated by the Montreux Jazz Festival and overseen by founder Claude Nobs’ partner, Thierry Amsallem, this is the tenth installment of The Montreux Years series. The whole album is a wonderful live compilation that shows the many facets of musicianship that made Dr. John the iconic figure he remains.”
  3. Solo Piano Live in New Orleans 1984 (2023): Released by Tipitina’s Record Club, this album captures Dr. John’s 1984 solo piano performance in New Orleans. American Blues Scene commented, “The release of Dr. John Solo Piano/Live in New Orleans 1984 comes 39 years after his show on the riverboat was planned by legendary New Orleans music impresario Quint Davis in celebration of Jazz Fest’s 15th anniversary. He was introduced by Davis to a packed crowd full of JazzFest revelers as ‘the man you call Dr. John who’s really New Orleans’ own Mac Rebennack.’ The show featured songs by Huey Piano Smith and Dave Bartholomew. Two of Dr. John’s originals, ‘Dorothy’ and ‘Such a Night,’ are album highlights.”
  4. Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya: Singles 1968-1974 (2024): Released for Record Store Day on Omnivore, this album quickly sold out, followed by a CD release. OffBeat Magazine noted, “As if anyone can forget the singular genius of Dr. John, a new collection of his ATCO singles reminds us of his mos’ scocious musical medicine. The 26 songs on Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya: Singles 1968-1974 come from Mac Rebennack’s album debut as Dr. John the Night Tripper: Gris-Gris; 1969 Babylon; 1970 Remedies; 1972 Gumbo; 1973 In the Right Place; and Desitively Bonnaroo, which concluded his ATCO years. Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya presents an irresistible visit with the early Dr. John.”

Karla R. Pratt, Dr. John’s daughter and Estate Executrix, expressed her gratitude: “I hope these albums bring back memories of when listeners first put Dr. John records on their turntable – and when they saw him perform, if they were lucky enough to be there. On this fifth anniversary of his passing, thank you to all the fans for keeping Dad’s music alive.”

Read more about Dr. John here.