Wardell Quezergue

The thronging masses will claim to have not heard of this man, will not be able to pronounce his name, and will have heard his music countless times. Among New Orleans musicians, Wardell Quezergue is known as the "Creole Beethoven," but the behind-the-scenes nature of his work means his name is invariably not the one that is out in front in big lights. As one of the first-choice arrangers on New Orleans recording sessions, Quezergue is the man who made classic records for performers such as Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, and many others. He could say he was busy without crossing his fingers for some 60 years in the music business. His most famous records include "Iko Iko" and "Chapel of Love," both originally cut by the Dixie Cups, and the entertaining "Barefootin'" by Robert Parker, the latter summer hit sporting a blasting horn arrangement that, like a piece of Mayan sculpture, might be described as "definitively Quezerguian." Other fine tracks in his discography include "Trick Bag" by Earl King, "Big Chief" by Professor Longhair, "It Ain't My Fault" by Smokey Johnson, "Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight, "Groove Me" by King Floyd, "Mojo Hannah" by Tami Lynn, and the Grammy Award-winning Dr. John album Goin' Back to New Orleans. The strong respect for history and tradition in New Orleans has meant that this artist has not gone out of demand simply since his hair has gone gray. He emerged as a bandleader in the mid-'50s with his Royal Dukes of Rhythm, and some 50 years later was finally presented with an opportunity to make recordings in front of his own aggregation entitled Wardell & His Slammin' Big Band. Much of his career was spent making arrangements for others and he was known for getting results. A good example would be his association with Malaco, a...