 The History of Tipitina's
Music clubs are rarely dedicated to a single musician, and few as influential as performer, composer, and pianist Professor Longhair. Henry Roeland Byrd, (a.k.a. Professor Longhair) is one of the most revered rhythm and blues musicians in the legacy of New Orleans music.
Fess has composed many songs which are part of the Crescent City lexicon, like "Mardi Gras in New Orleans," which serves as the soundtrack to carnival every year. Longhair has influenced his musical peers and progeny in the Crescent City since the 1950s including Dr. John, the Meters, the Neville Brothers, Allen Toussaint, and many others. Longhair created a unique style by fusing rhumba rhythms with boogie-woogie, blues and southern R&B.
Tipitina's began as a neighborhood juke joint, established in 1977, by a group of young music fans (The Fabulous Fo'teen) to provide a place for Professor Longhair to perform in his final years. The venue, named for one of Longhair's most enigmatic recordings "Tipitina," has survived in an ever-changing musical climate despite changing ownership and briefly closing in 1984.
In the past 25 years, Tipitina's has grown from a small, neighborhood bar into an international music icon. The venue has expanded into a two-story, 1,000 capacity music venue located at the famed corner of Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas. Tipitina's now has reSources such as a web site, recording studio, record label, and a dynamic special events department. |
