New Orleans rhythm and blues
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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New Orleans rhythm and blues is a style of rhythm and blues music that originated in the U.S. city of New Orleans. Most popular from 1948 to 1955, it was a direct precursor to rock and roll and strongly influenced ska. Instrumentation typically includes drums, bass, piano, horns, electric guitar, and vocals. The style is characterized by syncopated "second line" rhythms, a strong backbeat, and soulful vocals. Artists such as Roy Brown, Dave Bartholomew, and Fats Domino are representative of the New Orleans R&B sound.
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Notable record labels and producers
Cosimo Matassa
Cosimo Matassa was the leading record producer in New Orleans between 1940 and 1960. He created the "cosimo sound" with guitar, baritone saxophone, and tenor saxophone doubling the bass line. He also owned J&M Studio and Jazz City studio, where he recorded nearly all R&B hits in New Orleans between 1940-1960.
DeLuxe Records
David and Julian Braun, also known as the Braun brothers, owned an independent record label called "DeLuxe" which was based in Linden, New Jersey. Seeing that New Orleans was overflowing with talent, they decided to visit the city in 1947 with hopes of singing some new artists. DeLuxe signed Dave Bartholomew, Paul Gayten, Smiley Lewis, Roy Brown, and Annie Laurie. In 1949 DeLuxe Records was bought out by Syd Nathan, owner of King Records.
Imperial Records
Lew Chudd founded Imperial Records in 1947. During its early years, the label centered around country music and west coast jump bands. Looking to expand his business, Chudd reached out to Dave Bartholomew. They decided that they would work together and explore the up-and-coming R&B scene. They recorded their first R&B studio session with Jewel King and Tommy Ridgley at J&M studio.
- Imperial's New Orleans artists
Other New Orleans R&B artists
- Johnny Adams
- Eddie Bo
- James Booker
- Mia Borders
- Henry Butler
- Sugar Boy Crawford
- The Dixie Cups
- Lee Dorsey
- Dr. John
- Champion Jack Dupree
- Snooks Eaglin
- Frankie Ford
- Barbara George
- Guitar Slim, Jr.
- Guitar Slim
- Clarence "Frogman" Henry
- Jessie Hill
- Joe Jones
- Ernie K-Doe
- Chris Kenner
- Earl King
- Jean Knight
- Little Richard
- Tami Lynn
- The Meters
- Aaron Neville
- The Neville Brothers
- Robert Parker
- Lloyd Price
- Wardell Quezergue
- Tommy Ridgley
- The Revivalists
- Shirley and Lee
- Huey "Piano" Smith
- Benny Spellman
- Steamboat Willie
- Willie Tee
- Allen Toussaint
- Tuts Washington
- Katie Webster
- Larry Williams