“Jazz Fest Music Lovers Brave Bad Weather, Honor Legendary New Orleans Pianist Professor Longhair”

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) — Bad weather forced Jazz Fest officials to delay Saturday’s opening. Still, the show went on as music lovers paraded through the muddy fairground. Some took the time to visit another part of town to pay their respects to one of the city’s most influential musicians.

Thousands of music lovers braved the mud of Fair Grounds to listen to artists like Dead and Company on a festival stage with an image of Professor Longhair hovering above.

While hundreds of people enjoyed the party, others paid their respects to “Fess” – Professor Longhair – at the place he called Uptown.

“I just had musicians and tourists nine days in a row from Norway, Canada, everywhere. I’m exhausted. I didn’t quit,” Fess’ daughter, Patricia, said.

Legendary New Orleans pianist Professor Longhair (Roeland Byrd) was a mainstay at Jazz Fest 40 years ago and helped it grow into the world-class event it is today.

Dirty Dozen drummer Lionel Batiste says Longhair influenced his band and countless others.

“Professor Longhair was a New Orleans giant,” he said. “The guy played with a lot of power and a lot of finesse.”

His daughter Patricia now holds court for visitors from around the world, determined to preserve the legacy of her father, who lured Bill Goss to Fess’s home from Chicago.

“I just remember the energy of the band and the power of the way they play,” Goss said.

Patricia has been fighting for years to have Terpsichore Street, where Fess’ house is now a museum, renamed in honor of her father.

“For all he has given to New Orleans and New Orleans musical culture, he is the Bach of rock, Professor Longhair,” Byrd said.

We featured her in a story two months ago, and now her efforts are paying off.

“It means the world to me and my dad deserves it,” Byrd said.

The planning commission will vote on a measure renaming Terpsichore between St. Charles Avenue and Magnolia Street as Professor Longhair Lane, in two weeks.

“God is good, that’s something my dad taught me, to keep the faith,” Byrd said.

And if all goes well, the city council could authorize the name change this summer. Preserving an enduring legacy at a jazz festival, which Fess helped start with one more day.

While Patricia Byrd is glad the planning commission is considering renaming Terpsichore from Magnolia to St. Charles, she would like the name change to extend an additional seven blocks to Tchoupitoulas Street.

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