The producers of Professor Longhair: Making a Gumbo, the upcoming documentary film on the life and legacy of Professor Longhair, have launched a Kickstarter campaign to complete filming and editing. They hope to raise $15,000 through the campaign.

Henry Roeland Byrd, aka Professor Longhair, died in 1980 and is considered one of the greatest musical icons in the history of New Orleans.

Though he is responsible for inspiring thousands of musicians and changing the rhythm of New Orleans forever, his name isn’t known by many outside of Louisiana. “Professor Longhair: Making a Gumbo” aims to change that.

The film will contain archival footage of Professor Longhair being interviewed and performing as well as interviews with Allen Toussaint, Pat Byrd, Jon Cleary, Johnny Vidacovich, Tom Stagg, Alfred ‘Uganda’ Roberts, Robert Parker, Henry Butler, and Dr. John.

All of the funds raised will go towards travel expenses to conduct interviews, equipment and crew costs, and research expenses. Up until now, the film has been entirely funded by the film’s producers.

The campaign has 13 different donation levels ranging from $1 to $9,950. Some of the rewards, which you receive with donation, include limited edition T-shirts, tote bags, mugs, access codes that unlock exclusive film previews, inclusion in the film’s focus group, hand signed and printed posters by Johnny Johnson, and even film backer or co-producer credit on the film.

The campaign ends Friday, Dec 19, and will not be funded unless the $15,000 goal is met.

Click here to pledge your support for the project