Who is Professor Longhair?

“Henry Roeland Byrd (a.k.a Professor Longhair) was Born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, on December 19, 1918 [and died January 30, 1980 in New Orleans at age 62]. The Henry Roeland Byrd story is fundamentally the story of an artist who created his own musical world, constantly refining and elaborating a distinctive personal style.

It may have been too idiosyncratic to ever capture mainstream popularity during Longhair’s lifetime, but it was so striking and individual that it ultimately became the definitive standard for New Orleans piano players….” —Tipitina’s, Home of Professor Longhair

Professor Longhair was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1992.

“Henry Roeland ‘Roy’ Byrd – better known to the world as Professor Longhair or ‘Fess,’ for short – stands as the foremost exponent of New Orleans piano style. Byrd’s idiosyncratic style is a rhythmic jambalaya reflecting the freewheeling, good-time spirit of the Crescent City. Professor Longhair soaked up influences from close-at-hand sources – barrelhouse boogie-woogie, Caribbean rhythms like the rumba (many of his relatives were West Indian), and the Crescent City’s ‘second line’ parade rhythms – but the way he pieced these elements together is what made his style such a marvel of fluidity and drive. He has been hailed as ‘the Picasso of keyboard funk’ and ‘the Bach of rock.’ Professor Longhair also served to influence profoundly a generation of New Orleans pianists that came up behind him, many of whom made their mark in the interlocking worlds of rhythm & blues and rock and roll. Some of his more prominent musical heirs include Mac Rebennack (a.k.a. Dr. John), Fats Domino, Huey ‘Piano’ Smith, James Booker and Allen Toussaint.” —Rock Hall of Fame