Professor Longhair, born Henry Roeland Byrd on December 19, 1918, was a prominent New Orleans blues singer and pianist known for his distinctive style that combined elements of blues, boogie-woogie, and Caribbean rhythms. His innovative piano technique has influenced countless musicians and is a cornerstone of the New Orleans sound. Professor Longhair's career had its ups and downs; he gained popularity in the late 1
... MoreProfessor Longhair, born Henry Roeland Byrd on December 19, 1918, was a prominent New Orleans blues singer and pianist known for his distinctive style that combined elements of blues, boogie-woogie, and Caribbean rhythms. His innovative piano technique has influenced countless musicians and is a cornerstone of the New Orleans sound. Professor Longhair's career had its ups and downs; he gained popularity in the late 1940s and early 1950s but experienced a period of obscurity before a resurgence in the 1970s.
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