Professor Longhair

Professor Longhair (nee Henry Roeland Byrd and aka Fess) (December 19, 1918 - January 30, 1980) was a legendary New Orleans blues musician. He was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana. He was noted for his unique piano style, which he described as "a combination of rumba, mambo, and Calypso", and his unusual, expressive voice, described once as "freak unique".

Quotations

• "Professor Longhair put 'funk' into music; he's the father of the stuff." Dr. John
• "He's the Satchel Paige of the piano." Albert Goldman
• "He's the Bach of rock." Allen Toussaint
• "He's a seminal force, a guru, an original creator of theNew Orleans piano style ... the teacher of great players like Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, Mac Rebbenack, James Booker, and Huey Smith. All acknowledge him as The Great Master." Jerry Wexler