| Tuts Washington | |
|---|---|
Tuts Washington on the cover of his 1983 recording, New Orleans Piano Professor |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Isidore Washington |
| Born | January 24, 1907 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Died | August 5, 1984 (aged 77) New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Genres | Louisiana blues |
| Occupations | Pianist |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1920s–1984 |
| Labels | Rounder |
| Associated acts | Smiley Lewis, Tab Smith |
Isidore "Tuts" Washington (January 24, 1907 – August 5, 1984)[1] was an American Louisiana blues pianist,[2] who exemplified the New Orleans rhythm and blues style, also made famous by musicians such as Professor Longhair.[1]
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, Washington taught himself piano at age 10, and studied with New Orleans jazz pianist Joseph Louis "Red" Cayou.[3] In the 1920s and 1930s, he was a leading player for New Orleans dance and Dixieland bands. His unique style of play blended elements of ragtime, jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie.[1]
After World War II, Washington joined the band of singer/guitarist Smiley Lewis;[3] they released several well-known songs on Imperial Records including "Tee-Nah-Nah," "The Bells Are Ringing" and "Dirty People." He then moved to St. Louis to play with Tab Smith.[1] He returned to New Orleans in the 1960s, continuing to appear at restaurants in the French Quarter, clubs such as Tipitina's, and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. For years he had a regular gig playing piano at a bar in the Pontchartrain Hotel. Although he avoided recording for most of his career,[3] he released the solo piano album New Orleans Piano Professor on Rounder Records in 1983.[1]
Tuts Washington died on August 5, 1984, after suffering a heart attack while performing at the World's Fair in New Orleans.[1] In 1998, Night Train International Records released a live recording by Washington, Live at Tipitina's '78.