Issue Articles — Obituaries
In memoriam: Alton “Big Al” Carson (1953 – 2020)
A big man, with a big voice and a big heart, “Big Al” Alton Carson died April 26, felled by an apparent heart attack. He was 66. A French Quarter […]
In memoriam: Henry Gray (1925 – 2020)
An instantly recognizable blues pianist and singer, Henry Gray died of natural causes in Baton Rouge January 17. He was 95. A belated 2017 inductee into the Blues Hall of […]
In memoriam: Ray Abshire (1951-2020)
While Mardi Gras revelries were still going full throttle or winding down on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, Cajun music was dealt a severe blow with the unexpected passing of Ray […]
In memoriam: Lucien Barbarin (1956-2020)
The name Lucien Barbarin elicits nothing but praise from his fellow musicians and all of those lucky enough to have heard him play trombone. “He was very special,” says trumpeter […]
In Memoriam: Robert Parker (1930-2020)
Bandleader, sideman, artist and composer Robert Parker died at his Roseland, Louisiana home on January 19 from natural causes. He was 89. Best known for the infectious, international hit “Barefootin’,” […]
In Memoriam: Jerome “5th Ward Weebie” Cosey (1977-2020)
On January 9, 2020, New Orleans lost a regional hip-hop legend when producer and rapper 5th Ward Weebie died. Reigning supreme as the city’s “Bounce King,” the 42-year-old born Jerome […]
In memoriam: Jerome “Jerry” Jumonville (1941 – 2019)
New Orleans saxophonist, arranger and composer Jerry Jumonville passed away on December 7, 2019 after a long illness. Originally from New Orleans, he was based in Los Angeles for much […]
In Memoriam: Earl Bernhardt (1939-2019)
Earl Bernhardt, an entrepreneur, co-proprietor of the Tropical Isle chain of French Quarter clubs (with longtime partner Pam Fortner), friend and employer to many working musicians, and long-time president of […]
In Memoriam: Leigh “L’il Queenie” Harris (1954 – 2019)
Leigh “L’il Queenie” Harris, vocalist and frontwoman of 1970s and early ’80s rock band Li’l Queenie and the Percolators has passed away at age 65 from cancer. Harris grew up […]
Art Neville Memorial
Grief is not an emotion that invites comparisons. It is an overwhelming, supernatural sense of loss that is an essential part of human consciousness, the realization that a part of […]
