James Booker was a regular performer at the Maple Leaf, the venerable live music venue open since 1974 at 8316 Oak Street in the Carrollton neighborhood. His legacy as one of New Orleans’ most renowned pianists will be celebrated the week of what would have been his 82nd birthday with a concert featuring today’s piano greats.
Booker, born December 17, 1939, was a New Orleans rhythm-and-blues keyboardist whom the late Dr. John described as “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.” Flamboyant in personality, Booker was also nicknamed the “Black Liberace,” “The Piano Prince of New Orleans” and “Bayou Maharajah.” Booker died at age 43 on November 8, 1983, while seated in a wheelchair in the emergency room at New Orleans’ Charity Hospital. The cause of death was renal failure related to chronic abuse of heroin and alcohol.
The Maple Leaf’s Booker Birthday Bash is scheduled two days ahead of Booker’s actual birthday. Doors will open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 15, with a 6 p.m. screening of the biographical documentary Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker by Lily Keber. Featuring interviews with Harry Connick Jr., Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John and Hugh Laurie, as well as never-before seen live performances, archival photographs and original stories, the film brings to life the unforgettable story of a musical genius.
The music schedule will include the following:
8 p.m. | Tom McDermott
8:15 p.m. | Kieko Komaki
8:30 p.m. | Joe Krown
8:45 p.m. | Round robin of pianists
9 p.m. | CR Gruver
9:15 p.m. | Tom Worrell with Leslie Cooper
9:30 p.m. | David Torkanowsky
10:30 p.m. | Jam set with “Three On Keys” (piano, organ, keytar ) with Reggie Scanlan and Johnny Vidacovich
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and $1 of each ticket will be donated to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic.
