Do's Washington

Tuts Washington (born January 24, 1907 in New Orleans , Louisiana , † August 5, 1984 there ), actually Isidore Washington , also known as Papa Yellow , was an American blues pianist. He influenced many subsequent greats of the blues such as Professor Longhair , Allen Toussaint and Fats Domino .

When he was 10 he taught himself to play the piano. His role model was Joseph Louis "Red" Cayou. He was considered a child prodigy who could directly process the melodies he heard. As a teenager, he played with the hip Dixieland bands in his hometown.

Washington became best known with his partner Smiley Lewis (guitar and vocals), with whom he performed and recorded together in the late 1940s. Her successful pieces include Tee-Nah-Nah , The Bells Are Ringing and Dirty People .

In 1950 Washington moved to St. Louis , where he played in the Tab Smith Orchestra. He returned to New Orleans at the end of the decade and played in the Clyde Kerr Orchestra. His style became more commercial and pop- oriented over time. Nevertheless, he did not record his first solo album New Orleans Piano Professor until 1983 at the age of 76 .

Just a year later, Tuts Washington died while performing at the World's Fair in New Orleans.

Web links

• Biography at All Music Guide