Matt Parker and his Big Horn Special, the band, actively showcases the classic New Orleans R+B tunes, featuring the music of Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, James Booker, Little Richard, and Fats Domino.
My fascination with New Orleans and its rich heritage dates back to my first visit to the Big Easy in 1997. During a high school class trip, I eagerly immersed myself in the local music scene, seizing every opportunity to perform. When I was offered a summer job, I eagerly accepted and played Dixieland music for ten hours a day, six days a week, at The Gazebo, an outdoor restaurant and bar adjacent to the French Market. Seasoned band members introduced me to local musical luminaries like Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, and Ellis Marsalis.
New Orleans R&B
The zenith of early rhythm and blues finds its roots in a handful of exceptionally talented and distinctive performers hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana. This era, spanning from the 1940s to the early '60s, saw the tenor saxophone taking a prominent role in the music. The saxophone mastery of Lee Allen, Alvin "Red" Tyler, and Nat Perrilliat, among others, defined this period. I've always been drawn to the grandeur of their tenor sounds and consider myself fortunate to have fully immersed myself in their distinctive style.
But where does the name Big Horn Special originate?
Big Horn Special derives its name from a Lee Allen B-side recorded in 1958.
This music was crafted with the intention of getting people on their feet and dancing. While that remains our primary goal today, we also aspire to share the music of this illustrious generation and illuminate the incredible artists who contributed to it.