Harold Battiste

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Harold Battiste
Battiste in 2012
Battiste in 2012
Background information
Birth nameHarold Raymond Battiste Jr.
Born(1931-10-28)October 28, 1931
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedJune 19, 2015(2015-06-19) (aged 83)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
GenresR&B, jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, arranger, record producer
Instrument(s)Saxophone, piano
Years active1957–2015

Harold Raymond Battiste Jr. (October 28, 1931 – June 19, 2015)

Sonny and Cher, Dr. John
, and others.

Biography

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States,[1] he grew up in the Magnolia Projects. He attended Dillard University, earning a B.S. in music in 1953 and becoming a proficient saxophonist, pianist, and arranger. He formed his first group, with Alvin Batiste (clarinet) and Edward Blackwell (drums) while at university.[2]

His first success as a studio arranger was with

Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe".[3] Battiste introduced audiences to New Orleans artist Mac Rebennack as Dr. John, and produced his earliest albums.[4]

Battiste spent 30 years in

Gram Parson's 1973 album, GP.[7]

Battiste was also a lecturer at several colleges, and in 1989, he joined Ellis Marsalis Jr. on the Jazz Studies faculty of the University of New Orleans.[8] He established the AFO Foundation, a non-profit service and educational organization, dedicated to recognizing, perpetuating and documenting the heritage of New Orleans music, and the people who make the music.[5]

Battiste remained active in the community, and served as a board member of the Congo Square Cultural Collective, the Louisiana State Music Commission, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Louisiana Jazz Federation, the African Cultural Endowment and numerous other cultural organizations. He received the Beau Arts Award, the Mayor's Arts Award, the Governor's Arts Lifetime Achievement Award and many others. In 1998, the City of New Orleans proclaimed his birthday as Harold Battiste Day. In 2010 the Historic New Orleans Collection published his autobiography Unfinished Blues.[5]

Battiste died on June 19, 2015, aged 83, after a period of declining health.[9]

Bibliography

  • Battiste, Harold Jr. (2010). Unfinished Blues...Memories of a New Orleans Music Man.
    ISBN 978-0917860553
    .

References

  1. ^ a b Roberts, Sam (June 25, 2015). "Harold Battiste, Musician, Mentor and Arranger, Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  2. ^ Sinclair, John (April 1994). "Harold Battiste: Prophet with Honor in His Own Land". Radio Free Amsterdam. Archived from the original on 2015-06-20. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  3. ^ a b Smith, Tod (2 November 2003). "A Brief History of Modern Jazz in New Orleans". All About Jazz.
  4. ^
    The Times-Picayune
    .
  5. ^ a b c Skelly, Richard. "Harold Battiste, Jr. Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  6. ^ "Blue Valentine - Tom Waits | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  7. ^ "GP - Gram Parsons | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2005-2006" (PDF). University of New Orleans. August 2005. p. 12.
  9. The Times-Picayune
    .

External links

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