New Orleans Music Greats

New Orleans' contributions to the music world boast an astonishing roster of native sons and daughters who have had significant influence on the past, present and future of music. Credit it to the city's cultural gumbo — a mystical, magical blend of things that have inspired so many local folk to soar to creative heights. The following are just a few of the many born-in-New Orleans notable musicians, singers and composers.

See also: The rhythm of the Big Easy.

• Louis Armstrong: world-famous cornet player and showman
• Danny Barker: legendary banjo and guitar-playing jazzman, teacher and author
• Sweet Emma Barrett: great jazz pianist and singer
• Sidney Bechet: early jazz master of the soprano saxophone
• Al Bernard: author, actor, recording artist, and composer of "Shake, Rattle and Roll"
• Terrence Blanchard: highly acclaimed contemporary jazz trumpet player and Grammy nominee
• Buddy Bolden: cornet player of the 1890s, acknowledged by most music historians as the first jazzman
• The Boswell Sisters: great singing trio of the 1930s; inspired the Andrews Sisters of the 1940s
• George Brunies: celebrated jazz trombonist of the 1920s; appeared with Ted Lewis and his band.
• Kitty Carlisle: singer, actress and game show personality, married to playwright Moss Hart
• Harry Connick Jr.: Grammy-winning musician, singer and actor
• Edmond Dede: famous 19th century violinist, conductor and composer of operettas, ballet and chamber music
• Antoine "Fats" Domino: one of the founding fathers of rhythm and blues, renowned for "Blueberry Hill" and "Walking to New Orleans"
• Dr. John (Mac Rebennack): "The Night Tripper,"a famous New Orleans R&B pianist
• Pete Fountain: celebrated New Orleans clarinetist, entertainer and recording artist
• Louis Moreau Gottschalk: internationally acclaimed 19th century composer and pianist-virtuoso
• Ernest Guiraud: composer and professor of music at the Paris Conservatory
• Ernie Hare: radio and recording star of the 1920s and '30s, famous as one of the Happiness Boys
• Al Hirt: renowned trumpet player, performer and recording artist
• Mahalia Jackson: one of the world's greatest gospel singers
• Willie "Bunk" Johnson: legendary jazz trumpet player and recording artist

Next: The founder of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. >>