Dr. John

None other than Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. aka Dr. John (New Orleans, Louisiana, November 20, 1941 - June 6, 2019) has better symbolized the music of New Orleans since the 1970s. One of the most prolific session musicians in the history of recorded music, he has worn out the pianos (and to a lesser extent, his guitar and percussion) of studios the world over, and brought his inimitable touch to a prodigious number of diverse recordings, often for the most renowned musicians. His solo career, less lucrative but rich in quality, spans several spectrums, including New Orleans rhythm 'n' blues tinged with psychedelia, jazz (Duke Ellington), fine American variety (Johnny Mercer), funk and blues, and, since the turn of the millennium, offers lyrics more in tune with current events, such as his 2005 productions Sippiana Hericane and especially the raging City That Care Forgot in 2008. Produced by his young fan Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, Locked Down shows that Dr. John still rules the bayou in 2012. Two years later, it was to pay tribute to Louis Armstrong that he returned with the album Ske-Dat-De-Dat...The Spirit of Satch. On May 3, 2014, the concert organized in his honor featured Bruce Springsteen, John Fogerty, The Neville Brothers, Terence Blanchard, Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint. The resulting recording was released in 2016 as The Musical Mojo of Dr. John: Celebrating Mac and His Music. Dr. John died of a heart attack three years after this last album, at the age of 77.