Wardell Quezergue was an American music arranger, producer and bandleader, known among
New Orleans
musicians as the “Creole Beethoven” died from heart failure he was 81..
(March 12, 1930 – September 6, 2011)
Wardell was born into a musical
family with his father, Sidney Quezergue Sr., being a guitar player.
Wardell was the second youngest of three brothers: Sidney Quezergue Jr.,
Leo Quezergue, and Arlen Quezergue. His oldest two brothers, Sidney
(Trumpet) and Leo (Drums), were jazz musicians as well.
Career
After playing with
Dave Bartholomew’s band from the late 1940s and serving as an army musician in
Korea,
he emerged as a bandleader in his own right in the mid-1950s with his
Royal Dukes of Rhythm. He also worked as an arranger with the cream of
New Orleans musicians, including
Professor Longhair and
Fats Domino.
In 1964, he formed
Nola Records, and
Robert Parker’s “Barefootin’” from the label reached number 2 on the R&B chart. Other artists on the label include
Eddie Bo,
Willie Tee and
Smokey Johnson. Later, he recorded
King Floyd’s “Groove Me” and
Jean Knight’s “
Mr. Big Stuff”. When major labels including
Stax and
Atlantic
initially rejected them as uncommercial, Stax eventually released "Mr
Big Stuff", and it became the biggest selling, most successful release
on the Stax label (currently over 3 million copies), outselling Otis
Redding, Sam & Dave, and the other Stax acts. "Groove Me" was
released on the Chimneyville label, a huge hit (King Floyd's biggest),
and was covered by artists as diverse as Etta James and Tom Petty.
Quezergue was also the keyboardist on both hits. Quezergue arranged and
produced Dorothy Moore's "Misty Blue", which "crossed over" and also
became the label's (Malaco) biggest seller.
At the same time, Wardell was charting, at Berry Gordy's request, stage arrangement for Stevie Wonder and other Motown acts.
As a result of these successes, Quezergue’s skills as an arranger,
and Malaco’s studios, became in demand in the 1970s, and were used by
artists as diverse as
Paul Simon,
Willie Nelson and
B. B. King. He also worked with
G.C. Cameron, former lead singer of
The Spinners ("It's A Shame") and
The Temptations, the Pointer Sisters, and many more.
Quezergue also produced and arranged the
Grammy Award-winning
Dr. John album
Goin' Back to New Orleans
in 1992. Already an award winning classical composer and conductor, in
2000 he created an extended composition entitled "A Creole Mass",
drawing on his experiences in the
Korean War.
[3]
In 2005, Wardell was awarded "Best Produced CD of the Year"(by the NY
Blues and Jazz society) for his first sessions with singer-songwriter
Will Porter. Also a Blues Foundation nominee, the sessions featured
Billy Preston, Leo Nocentelli, The Louisiana Philharmonic Strings, and
Nola's best musicians. The CD was awarded 4 stars by AMG, and received
what Quezergue called "the best reviews of my career".
In 2005, by now legally blind, he lost most of his belongings as a result of
Hurricane Katrina.
[4]
The following year, benefit concerts were held in his behalf, led by
Dr. John, with support from other leading musicians, including
REM’s
Mike Mills.
[5]
In May 2009, Wardell Quezergue received an honorary doctorate from
Loyola University New Orleans
for his selfless dedication to enhancing the careers of others, while
remaining in the background; for his dedication to teaching others,
especially the young aspiring musicians of the city, leading many great
New Orleans musicians to refer to him as "my teacher;" and for his
contributions to the sounds of the city, particularly the driving horn
sounds of the 60s and 70s, for which New Orleans music became known.
On July 19, 2009, a tribute was mounted to Wardell Quezergue at the
Lincoln Center's
Alice Tully Hall. By all standards, the show was a triumph, its concept begat from Dr. Ike and the
Ponderosa Stomp
crew. A nine-piece band was assembled and imported from New Orleans to
back up singers like Dr. John, Robert Parker, Jean Knight, and
The Dixie Cups,
just to name a few. Veteran writer/arranger/bandleader/producer
Quezergue showed everyone that he still has it, as he conducted the
whole concert.
In 2011 Quezergue finished work on what he called his "two most
important works"; his classical religious work "The Passion" and the
sophomore recording for Will Porter.
On August 25, 2011, Quezergue approved final mixes of 15 tracks of the
Will Porter project, featuring duets with Dr. John, Bettye Lavette,
Barbara Lewis, jazz bassist Jimmy Haslip, Leo Nocentelli (all multiple
Grammy nominees/awardees,) with, once again, the best of New Orleans,
including the 12 last recordings of the late drummer Bunchy Johnson, and
the Louisiana Philharmonic Strings. His next planned project, a duet CD
with Will Porter and Dr John will continue without him, as he died
September 6, 2011, age 81.
To see more of who died in 2011
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