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Professor Longhair

Songs We Love: Professor Longhair, 'Mess Around (Live)'

Professor Longhair. Courtesy of Orleans Records hide caption

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Courtesy of Orleans Records

Songs We Love

Songs We Love: Professor Longhair, 'Mess Around (Live)'

In 1976, during a legend-cementing career comeback, the New Orleans piano hero played a fierce rendition of "Mess Around" live in Chicago.

Professor Longhair, 'Mess Around (Live)'

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Preserving The Home, And History, Of New Orleans' Piano Professor

Professor Longhair performs at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, circa 1970. David Redfern/Redferns hide caption

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David Redfern/Redferns

Music Interviews

Preserving The Home, And History, Of New Orleans' Piano Professor

Any New Orleans piano player worth his fingers owes a debt to Henry Roeland Byrd, aka Professor Longhair. The late musician's home is still standing on Terpsichore Street, but it's in serious disrepair.

Preserving The Home, And History, Of New Orleans' Piano Professor

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Celebrate Mardi Gras With New Orleans Piano

Professor Longhair's "Tipitina" is a New Orleans funk staple and a template for the New Orleans piano style. Eric Bookhart/Harvest Records hide caption

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Eric Bookhart/Harvest Records

Take Five: By Holiday

Celebrate Mardi Gras With New Orleans Piano

Jazz24

One of the beauties of New Orleans piano music is that once you hear it, you'll know it whenever you encounter it again. It's Mardi Gras week in New Orleans, and we're going to join in the celebration with a brief but broad overview of some of the Crescent City's many extraordinary pianists.

New Music

Always Sounds Like Home: Professor Longhair

In the months after Hurricane Katrina, Edie Hall of New Orleans lost her father, her job and her partner. But she's still got New Orleans — and a favorite song to go with it. Her pick: Professor Longhair's "Go to the Mardi Gras."

Always Sounds Like Home: Professor Longhair

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