Encyclopedia of Louisiana Musicians

"This encyclopedia is the definitive reference book on the numerous and incredibly influential native musicians who performed the indigenous music of Louisiana. It features biographical entries of nearly 1600 notable musicians that include birth and death dates and places; style(s) of music performed; instrumentation, and whether they were a composer and/or bandleader; summary of career; and notable work. Also included are 70 musicians who were born elsewhere but made an impact on the state's musical legacy. There are entries for two dozen regional producers who recorded Louisiana musicians, often in their own studios and issued on their own labels. In his introduction, Gene Tomko provides a detailed overview of how Louisiana's unique multicultural history and geographic location led to the creation of the various musical genres that developed in the state, producing more styles of indigenous music than anywhere else in the country. Hundreds of musicians' biographies are published here for the first time, and hundreds more are updated with the most accurate information. Tomko's extensive, meticulous research has produced new information on many enigmatic early jazz, blues, Cajun, Creole, swamp pop and gospel musicians, such as Country Jim, Henry Zeno, Burnell Santiago, Douglas Bellard, Blind Uncle Gaspard, Blazer Boy, Black Ivory King, Emma L. Jackson, Rocket Morgan, and many other shadowy Louisiana musical figures. Written with both the casual music fan and serious scholar in mind, "The Encyclopedia of Louisiana Musicians" will be a valued addition to the library of anyone who has an interest in Louisiana's rich musical legacy and the remarkable important musicians it has produced"--