Al Hirt was a tremendous trumpet player. He was a New Orleans Icon that defined a generation in music. He helped many others find the door of musical success. He was one of a kind and totally unique. I think what I most remember about Al was his sense of humor and high energy. He knew how to be a celebrity. Part maniac, part jokster, part genius and also great horn player.
New Orleans Honors It’s Celebrities
Pete Fountain unveiling his bronze statue.
There is a park with green space to relax on Bourbon Street. New Orleans Musical Legends Park is a tribute to the entertainers who have have had a lasting impact on the local music of New Orleans. Of course, these entertainers have had a much wider impact than just the Big Easy. For example who hasn’t heard of Fats Domino or Louis Prima.
Located on the 3rd block of Bourbon Street it hosts Cafe Beignet a mellow crowd, killer daiquiris and live local music.
Musicians honored are Fats Domino, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Louis Prima, Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint, Chris Owens and Ronnie Kole . The park is a way of the City of New Orleans expressing its appreciation to its artists for the valuable contributions these Music Icons.
2 great artists recently passed. The great Pete Fountain and Allen Toussaint. Allen and Pete left their indelible mark on the Crescent City. Pete with Al Hirt was a huge boon the local tourism and was integral with our local identity for decades which began in the 1960s. Allen was equally important. Allen got his big start with Al Hirt hit Java which launched Toussaint into stardom. He had a slew of hits and was called the Dalai Lama of rock and roll.
Funerals are special in New Orleans for our celebrities. They are both social and media events. Toussaint’s funeral was attended by many international musicians and a special concert at the Sanger. Allen was funeral procession was led by the Preservation Hall Brass Band & a very large 2nd Line tribute.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=nURb5geCD5w%2520frameborder%3D0%2520allowfullscreen
Louis Prima Statue
Louis Prima was definitely a music icon. Louis was also known as the “King of Swing”. It was remarkable he was able to transition with the changing times, stay on top and be a creative dynamo. I had the honor of creating his bronze statue now in New Orleans Musical Legends Park. I had the opportunity to experience Louis’s music first hand when his son performed at the unveiling. This is definitely crowd rockin music that is high energy. The Sahara Casino most likely became a destination in Las Vegas because of Louis. Some of his hits include “Just a Gigolo” and “I Ain’t Got Nobody” but there were too many to list. To learn more about Louis this is the Wiki Link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Prima
Larry McKinley Unveiling Ceremony
Larry’s daughters telling their fathers story. TV commentator Norman Robinson led the ceremony. Also Judge Eddie Sapir spoke. He was a friend and founder of Legends Park.
Larry McKinley Unveiling
This is the Larry McKinley Installation in progress. It is located in New Orleans Musical Legends Park just to the left of his good friend Fats. Larry was known as the “Voice of JazzFest” in N.O.. He was a former Legendary DJ in the Big Easy. Larry knew anyone connected to the music business it seems. He a was a great guy too. He once produced a music broadcast for TV with Eddie Sapir. They interviewed local N.O. music families and musicians .
Chris Owens
Chris Owens is still one of the essential anchors of Bourbon Street and still performs. She is an icon and fixture of the Bourbon after many years. She knows how to be a celebrity and is a consummate entertainer. I love the way Chris always dresses for the occasion and makes a grand entrance. Her annual Easter Parade procession is still tremendously popular event It is worth mentioning Chris was never a stripper and has always been a fabulous dancer/ entertainer Her club opened when trumpet legend Al Hirt had his club on in the 1960s. Al’s night club was a tourist destination and Chris widened the tourist destination appeal. I remember vividly as a teenager wanting to peek into the Owens club to steal a peek. She is a phenomenal person and continues to be an asset to New Orleans. 
Pete Fountain Funeral 2nd Line
Wed. Aug. 17, 2016 Pete Fountain’s Funeral and 2nd Line procession commenced at the St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter. His famous Half Fast Walking Club turned out and the weather, although hot was with us. The mayor and many celebrities also turned out. Pete was an iconic musical figure in New Orleans since the 1960s. A household name in Louisiana. A great guy and fabulous musician. The 2nd Line after the funeral marched through the French Quarter to the Monteleone Hotel. Mayor Landrieu was present with the Storyville Stompers. Artist Stephen Gibson
The Great Pete Fountain
Pete Fountain was a great jokester, storyteller, family man but most of all the great Jazzman of the New Orleans sound. I had the honor of creating Pete’s statue. He was a gracious man with a great sense of humor. I sculptured his portrait which later became a bronze statue now in New Orleans Musical Legends Park, on Bourbon Street. Pete had a huge following. He had numerous gold records and was greatly respected by his fellow musicians. I don’t think I ever heard anyone say a bad word about Pete. I especially liked Pete’s stories. He had a million of them. He loved Al Hirt too. The two made great music together and were often the Saints half time show. Katrina was hard on Pete. His fabulous home at Bay Saint Louis was completely destroyed.
I will always remember Pete’s kind and gracious hospitality that ate fabulous dinners made by his lovely wife Beverly. He was a great showman and entertainer. He was fun to be with.
White-tailed Dear Anatomy
Animal anatomy is where I became a serious sculptor. At the time, I did not like the idea of working around so many dead animals. Then it occurred to me that where better to learn animal anatomy but from carcasses first hand. I had access to a wealth of resource information about White-tailed Deer and Exotic Animals. The studio was a production studio for a Taxidermy Supply. After investigation there were many distinguished sculptors in the field. Of coure, the father of it all was Carl Akeley. He was a great sculptor and many of his bronze works can be seen in the Chicago Museum of Natural History. There is a wild life preserve in his name in Africa where the Silver Back Gorilla lives. Also, the New York Museum of Natural History is a really large display of Taxidermy wildlife from Akeley.
In the photo above I am working up a running White-tailed Deer. I really came to love the critters and marvel at the athletic feats they can do. They can hide as if they have a cloaking device. More soon on animal anatomy. Stephen Gibson, Sculptor July, 27, 2016
The Incredible Al Hirt
Al Hirt really left his mark on New Orleans and many owe their careers to Al. His friends called him Jumbo. I had the pleasure of sculpting Al’s Portrait. It later led to creating a statue of the great trumpeter and New Orleans Legend. He really was a legend and brought the music scene in New Orleans to a national audience. He was real character to. God broke the mold when he passed. He was a genuine celebrity and maintained a successful Club on Bourbon Street and was a destination for most everyone going to New Orleans. Even former President Bill Clinton got his mom to take him to see Al at his club even though he was too young to get in. People both loved and hated Al. I loved the guy. He was brilliant and could really play. My favorite footage of Al is with Dizzie Gillespie at the Tampa Jazz Festival back in 1985 I believe. Al really killed it. He had incredible energy and was hard to keep up with him.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rEc8Uw8buUE%2520frameborder%3D0%2520allowfullscreen