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Located at 311 on Bourbon off Canal

Unveiling ceremony for unveiling statues ceremony

Entrance to the Park on Bourbon Street

Louis Prima

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Louis Prima was born in New Orleans French Quarter to a musical family. His mother wanted him to play the violin but Louis loved the trumpet. He became a legendary musical genius and a big name talent that spanned several generations. He constantly reinvented himself and thrived with the changing times. He was a grammy winner but also broke through racial barriers in his time.

He was a singer, songwriter and trumpeter. He started with a New Orleans Jazz style band in the 1920s, later a swing band in the 30s ‘swing era’, then a Big Band in the 1940s. He later became a wildly popular Las Vegas Act. Louis Prima with Keely Smith, Sam Butera and the Witnesses were a top act that began in the 1950s up until the 1970s. He ended his career Bourbon Street at the Royal Sonesta Hotel with his with Gia Malone and sax player Sam Butera.

He is most widely known as King Louie voice in Walt Disney classic animation hit Jungle Book.

Louis Prima had countless hits during the Big Band Era . His first hit was“Sing Sing Sing” launched his career. Many top bands recorded it. Benny Goodman and his big band won a Grammy with it in 1937.

Louis Prima hits include “Just a Gigalo/ Aint Got Nobody”, “That Old Black Magic”, “ When Your Smilin” and too many to list in this brief bio.

When Elvis Presley was asked where he got his dance style, he said “From Louis Prima, of course”. 

Allen Toussaint

Allen Toussaint

Allen Toussaint was widely known as a Songwriter and a behind the scenes promoter. At a young age he played in the Dave Bartholomew band and was began performing with the musicians of the dynamic Dew Drop Inn. Allen later became a studio musician the A&R man at Minit Records. He worked on songs like “Its Raining” with Irma Thomas. Also, Lee Dorsey “Ride your Pony” plus “Workin in a Coal Mine were part of Allen’s rich New Orleans music experience. He was widely sought out as a producer as well as his song writing ability.
He co-owned the famous SeaSaint Recording Studio which produced and recorded many famous artists such as Paul McCartney of the Beetles, The Rolling Stones, The Band, Dr John and The Funky Meters and the Neville Brothers. The list is way too long for this brief bio.

Allen’s first hit came when New Orleans native, Ernie K-Doe had a #1 Billboard hit in 1961 for the Toussaint’s song “Mother in Law”.

Allen’s first national recognition came with the hit tune,
“Java”. The instrumental melody was recorded by New Orleans trumpet player Al Hirt, which won a Grammy.

Toussaint produced ” Right Place, Wrong Time” by Dr John backed by the Meters.

Allens musical collaborations is a who’s who’s list of Rock & Roll legends such as Paul McCartney after the Beetles split, the Rolling Stones, The Band and southern rocker Mylon LeFevre. Mr Toussaint’s New Orleans music roots are the true source of Allens genius. New Orleans is the home and birth place of Jazz, Dixieland Jazz, Brass Band Marching bands and Rock & Roll.

When Allen Toussaint was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 he was described as the Dali Lama of Rock and Roll by The Bands singer, Robbie Robertson. As a footnote, Allen Toussaint later did receive an honorary doctorate from Tulane University with the exiled Tibetan Monk , His Holiness, the Dali Lama.

A few of Allens New Orleans influences were Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Tuts Washington. New Orleans music is and was so influenced by Allen Toussaint that is hard to know where his influence begins but it still lives on today. New Orleans is a piano town and Allen was a part of its evolution of that sound.

The New Orleans and Allen Toussaint left a lasting legacy in American music. It should be added, he was a fine man.

Irma Thomas

Irma Thomas Bio

Irma Thomas is known as the ‘Soul Queen of New Orleans’

Irma is a Grammy winner.

She has won 2 Emmy’s and 8 Blues Awards.

As a teen she sang with a Baptist church choir and demonstrated her talent at an early age. By the age of 19 she had been married twice and had four children. She also worked as a waitress in her early years.
Her first big hit “You Can Have My Husband but Don’t Mess with My Man” . It was released in spring 1960, and reached number 22 on the Billboard R&B chart.

Blessed to be part of the New Orleans music scene she began recording and working with New Orleans song writer Allen Toussaint. She performed on songs including “It’s Raining” and “Ruler of my Heart”. A string of successful records followed. These included “Wish Someone Would Care” “Break-a-Way” “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is” and “Time Is on My Side”
She had 4 Imperial singles all charted on Billboard’s pop chart. She briefly relocated to California, releasing records on various small labels, before returning to Louisiana. In the early 1980s she opened her own club, the Lion’s Den.

She earned a Grammy for “Time is on My Side” and later Best Contemporary Blues Album. She also released a number of traditional gospel albums, together with more secular recordings. The album Sing It! was nominated for a Grammy in 1999.
Thomas is still active as a performer, appearing annually at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

In April 2007, Thomas was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Thomas participated in the Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino. she contributed “I Just Can’t Get New Orleans Off My Mind”.
In August 2009, a compilation album with three new songs titled The Soul Queen of New Orleans: 50th Anniversary Celebration was released from Rounder Records. This commemorated Irma’s 50th year as a recording artist.

Irma Thomas was on the 2008 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival poster. Irma enjoys a tremendous fan following.
She never crossed over to mainstream commercial success but she is an important influence in international music. The Rolling Stones performed at the JazzFest and Irma performed with them. Together they performed the Rolling Stones 1st hit in the USA which was an Irma Thomas / Allen Toussaint song. Irma is a beloved local favorite and called the Soul Queen of New Orleans. Not many can say that.

Al Hirt

Al Hirt Biography

Trumpet virtuoso and famous Bourbon Street Night Club Owner

Al Hirt called “Jumbo” by his friends was also know as “The King”. Al is ofter credited to making New Orleans Dixieland Band music popular after WWll.
Al’s father, a New Orleans policeman bought young Al a trumpet at a pawn shop. Hirt began performing professionally at the age of 16. He then attended the Cinncinati Conservatory of Music and after that served in the military during World War 2. After the war, he played with swing bands of Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and others. He returned to New Orleans and began leading his own bands.

Al Hirt brought tourism to New Orleans after WW2 with his famous night club. Bill Clinton talked his Mother into bringing him to Bourbon St. to hear Al Hirt perform.

Al Hirt quickly rose to fame in mainstream USA when he performed Java on the Ed Sullivan Show 1963. Al’s fine trumpet sound and masterful dexterity led to his quick rise to popularity. .He was credited to bringing New Orleans music to national prominance. He was highy regarded for his musical ability. President Clinton as a teenager made a pilgramage to Al’s Bourbon Street Club to hear him perform. Al’s club was a destination for celebrities and tourists for years.

Al was a minority holder and founder of the NFL team the New Orleans Saints. Al was credited with the clubs name the ‘Saints’

World’s Top Trumpeter (15 different years) by Playboy magazine
Al recorded more than 50 albums in his career, and played for millions of people around the world Artist of the Year by the Music Operators of America Grammy Performed for 5 presidents Lifetime Achievement Award from the Charlie “Bird” Parker Memorial Foundation When Pope John Paul II visited New Orleans in 1987, Al played Handel’s “Ave Maria” for him.

Fats Domino

The first Rock & Roll record ever recorded was at the Cosimo Matassa recording studio with Dave Bartholomew in New Orleans

Biography

Rhythm & Blues/Rock & Roll Recording artist Fats Domino sold more records (65 million) than any Fifties­ era rocker besides Elvis Presley. His recording of “The Fat Man” recorded in New Orleans with Cosimo Matassa is considered the first Rock and Roll recording ever created.

He was born and raised near New Orleans, Louisiana. His folks worked the sugar cane fields. Fats was a self taught piano player with a fully developed unique style of playing.

His 9th ward home was destroyed in Katrina but was rebuilt. His piano was saved and put in the Cabildo.

Recording with Imperial Records they produced five gold (million­ copy­ selling) records Domino also had 35 Top 40 American hits and has a music style based on traditional R&B
Fats Domino released a prolific series of hit songs with producer and co­writer Dave Bartholomew. Domino finally crossed into the pop mainstream with “Ain’t That A Shame” (1955) His recording”Blueberry Hill” and was his biggest hit. It sold more than 5 million copies worldwide in 1956–57. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1986 In the 1980s, Domino decided he would no longer leave New Orleans. Having a comfortable income from royalties and a dislike for touring he claimed he could not get any food that he liked any place else.

His induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and an invitation to perform at the White House failed to persuade Domino to leave home. In September 2007, Domino was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame in Ferriday.

In 2007, various artists came together for a tribute to Fats Domino by recording a live session with all Fats Domino covers. Guests included on the album, titled “Going Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino” include Paul McCartney, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and Elton John.[17] The secret of Fat’s success “You got to keep a good beat,” Domino said in a 1956 interview in Downbeat magazine. “The rhythm we play is from Dixieland — New Orleans.”

When the Beatles came to New Orleans, they went to visit Fats.

Larry McKinley

DJ, Minit Records co-owner , Voice of Jazz Fest, Civil Rights Leader

Larry McKinley was an extra ordinary man with a calm demeanor. He was loved and highly regarded.

A civil rights leader, a local DJ ( the Very Friendly Larry McKinley) and music promoter that launched many music careers.

Co owner of Minit Records and Larry was also known as the “Voice of Jazz Fest”.

Inducted in the the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

He was called “The Original Influencer of New Orleans”.

See the McKinley Studio

Pete Fountain

Pete Fountain Biography

Pete was a New Orleans Music Icon. Pete led the Half -Fast Marching Mardi Gras Club for years until his death

Pete Fountain Bio

Pete Fountain was born in New Orleans He started playing clarinet as a child to overcome a serious respiratory illness He was taught and influenced by Irving Fazola. Early on he played with the bands of Monk Hazel and Al Hirt. With his long time friend, trumpeter George Girard, Fountain founded

The Basin Street Six in 1950. After this band broke up 4 years later Fountain was hired to join the Lawrence Welk band, and became well known for the many solos he took on the national television show. Fountain returned to New Orleans and played with The Dukes of Dixieland. He then began leading bands under his own name and opened his own club in the French Quarter. His popular club was a destination during 1960s & 1970s then later atop of the New Orleans Hilton.
Fountain was a founder and is the most prominent member of The Half Fast Marching Club, one of the best known marching Krewes that parades in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day. Fountain’s clarinet work is noted for his sweet fluid tone. He has recorded over 100 LPs and CDs under his own name with many in the Dixieland style.

Among Petes accomplishments:

more than 58 performances on the “Tonight Show”.
Pete has had four command performances at the White House for United States Presidents. And at the New Orleans Papal Mass in September 1987, Pete performed for Pope John Paul II Pete is one of the most recorded clarinetists in music history
He recorded more than 92 albums with three gold albums
Petes music represents the essence of swing, blues and New Orleans-style

Chris Owens

Chris Owens Bio

Chris Owens arrived in New Orleans at the age of 19. She met and married millionaire Sol Owens. They opened a nightclub on St. Louis Street in the French Quarter; it was originally intended to be a low-key sideline establishment, but business exploded. Realizing that Owen’s performance numbers were a huge draw, they sold their home in 1977 and purchased the building on the corner of St. Louis and Bourbon. Soon the “Chris Owens Review” became a noted act in town.
In 1979 Sol had a heart attack and died; Chris Owens took over management of the club and of the 30 apartments and 4 shops located within the building. The club and Owen’s act continue to be a draw.
She hosts a yearly “Patriotic Easter Parade” that rolls down Bourbon street.
Chris became a symbol for Bourbon Street. She was always a dancer and was never a stripper. Few exceed the Chris Owen professional showmanship and flamboyance.

Ronnie Kole

Pianist

New Orleans-based jazz pianist Ronnie Kole’s smooth sound and elegant demeanor have earned him respect from musicians across the globe. As Al Hirt’s protégé, Kole honed his skills in Hirt’s club on Bourbon Street before launching his musical career on the Johnny Carson Show. After a number of performances in Las Vegas, Kole ventured to New Orleans to open his own club, Kole’s Corner, which became a premier jazz venue.
He has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chevalier to the Order of Arts and Letters in addition to numerous other awards. Kole has performed for countless world leaders, including six presidents and Pope John Paul II.