NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The legend of the music of the Nouvelle-Orléans Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Pierre Angulaire of the nocturne musicale of the ville depuis des cennies, is a disease of cancer, which lasted three days after eu 79 years.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The legend of the music of the Nouvelle-Orléans Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Pierre Angulaire of the nocturne musicale of the ville depuis des cennies, is a disease of cancer, which lasted three days after eu 79 years.
Washington died Dec. 22 in Passages Hospice, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported.
Funeral services are scheduled for January 4 at 2 p.m. at the Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home. A concert dedicated to aid with medical and funeral expenses is scheduled for January 8 at the Tipitina Concert Hall.
The newspaper reported that Washington and his band The Roadmasters mixed blues, R&B, funk and soul, punctuating the songs with his signature howl. The newspaper reported that in director Michael Murphy’s 2005 music documentary “Make It Funky!” Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards bowed to Washington in honor of his guitar style and tone.
Washington began his career supporting New Orleans music legends Irma Thomas, Lee Dorsey, and Johnny Adams, who eventually became a mentor and close friend.
Washington recalled in 1999: “Johnny taught me a lot. He was like, if you want to sing high notes, you have to be careful how you get up there.” ” ” take your time. do not hurry. Once you get used to getting up there it will be easy. He also plays the guitar. He showed me how to click notes, how to move from one note to another and pay attention to where this note is. He was like a father. I can talk to him about everything. »
Washington backed Adams on several Rounder Records albums before releasing his debut album with the Roadmasters, “Leader of the Pack” for the Hep’Me label in 1981. He switched to Rounder’s “Wolf Tracks” in 1986, and later “Out of Darkness” . and “The Wolf at the Gate”. He released the album “Echo” in 1991, after his first daughter.
He traveled abroad and occasionally toured domestically, but New Orleans nightclubs were his heart and soul. He was one of the first musicians to play in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina via generator-powered shows at the Maple Leaf.
After more than 10 years without a new album, Washington returned with “My Future Is My Past” in 2018. The album reunited him with Thomas for a duet on Adams’ previous single “Even Now” and earned Washington some of his best reviews. Career path Career path.
Recently, he completed another set of eight blues songs, produced by Hungarian saxophonist Ben Elman. The newspaper reported that Washington manager Adam Shipley is currently buying the latest album from record companies.
“Over the past six or seven years, Walter has gotten the recognition he deserves,” said Shipley. “Play some good music and have a good life.”
A loyal smoker and drinker with a colorful personal life, Washington has battled many health issues over the years. However, his tonsil cancer diagnosis in March was surprising.
Even while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, he continued to perform, including at this year’s French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
“Nobody could tell what he was going through,” said his wife, Michelle Washington. He was a soldier to the end. He didn’t want people to feel sorry for him. He lived a wonderful life. He touched many people and brought them so much joy. »
In addition to his wife, the survivors included two daughters, Sada and Mamadou Washington, and a son, Brian Anderson.
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