An unreleased live album from one of New Orleans’ greatest musicians, Professor Longhair, is to be released. ‘Live at the University of Chicago Folk Festival – February 1, 1976’ is an unreleased radio broadcast aired by a Chicago radio station.
It features Professor Longhair on piano, vocals, and whistling, guitarists Billy Gregory and Will Harvey, Julius Farmer on bass, and Earl Gordon on drums. Billy Gregory, who kept his copy of the tape for about 25 years, presented it to Orleans Records who are now to release it on April 12th.
Long-time New Orleans radio DJ John Sinclair from radio station WWOZ writes in the sleeve notes, “this record offers incontrovertible evidence of the power and drive of the mid-70s edition of Fess’s band with Billy Gregory featured prominently on guitar.”
Blues pianist and singer Professor Longhair is one of the most revered rhythm and blues musicians in the legacy of New Orleans music. He created a unique style by fusing rhumba rhythms with boogie-woogie, blues and southern R&B. Such is his legacy that the city’s Tipitinas venue is completely dedicated to him, including its famous Professor Longhair bust.
--- Jazz FM January 28, 2016