Encyclopedia of Louisiana Musicians - by Gene Tomko (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This encyclopedia is the definitive reference book on the numerous and incredibly influential native musicians who performed the indigenous music of Louisiana. It features biographical entries of nearly 1600 notable musicians that include birth and death dates and places; style(s) of music performed; instrumentation, and whether they were a composer and/or bandleader; summary of career; and notable work. Also included are 70 musicians who were born elsewhere but made an impact on the state's musical legacy. There are entries for two dozen regional producers who recorded Louisiana musicians, often in their own studios and issued on their own labels. In his introduction, Gene Tomko provides a detailed overview of how Louisiana's unique multicultural history and geographic location led to the creation of the various musical genres that developed in the state, producing more styles of indigenous music than anywhere else in the country. Hundreds of musicians' biographies are published here for the first time, and hundreds more are updated with the most accurate information. Tomko's extensive, meticulous research has produced new information on many enigmatic early jazz, blues, Cajun, Creole, swamp pop and gospel musicians, such as Country Jim, Henry Zeno, Burnell Santiago, Douglas Bellard, Blind Uncle Gaspard, Blazer Boy, Black Ivory King, Emma L. Jackson, Rocket Morgan, and many other shadowy Louisiana musical figures. Written with both the casual music fan and serious scholar in mind, "The Encyclopedia of Louisiana Musicians" will be a valued addition to the library of anyone who has an interest in Louisiana's rich musical legacy and the remarkable important musicians it has produced"--

Book Synopsis

Louisiana's unique multicultural history has led to the development of more styles of American music than anywhere else in the country. Encyclopedia of Louisiana Musicians compiles over 1,600 native creators, performers, and recorders of the state's indigenous musical genres. The culmination of years of exhaustive research, Gene Tomko's comprehensive volume not only reviews major and influential artists but also documents for the first time hundreds of lesser--known notable musicians.

Arranged in accessible A-Z format--from Fernest "Man" Abshire to Zydeco Ray--Tomko's concise entries detail each musician's life and career, reflecting exciting new discoveries about many enigmatic and early artists: Country Jim, Henry Zeno, Douglas Bellard, Good Rockin' Bob, Blind Uncle Gaspard, Emma L. Jackson, and Rocket Morgan, to name just a few. A separate section features musicians from elsewhere who made an impact in Louisiana, such as Mississippi--born blues singer--songwriter--guitarist Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones and celebrated jazz pianist Billie Pierce, a native of Florida. The final section highlights key regional record producers and studio and label owners, like J. D. Miller, Stan Lewis, and Cosimo Matassa, who have enabled future generations to enjoy music of the Bayou State.

Written with both the casual fan and the scholar in mind, Encyclopedia of Louisiana Musicians is the definitive reference on Louisiana's rich musical legacy and the numerous important musicians it has produced.

Review Quotes

Gene Tomko's comprehensive Encyclopedia of Louisiana Music proves how essential Louisiana's music has been to the evolution of America's music. A veteran chronicler of roots music, Tomko has assembled the most comprehensive book of Louisiana music ever created. It's a must for fans, musicians, writers and scholars.--John Wirt, author of Huey "Piano" Smith and the Rocking Pneumonia Blues

Lafayette-resident Gene Tomko, an award-winning journalist, photographer and assiduous researcher with a long track record at Living Blues Magazine and others, has produced an essential addition to the impressively expanding music library of New Orleans and Louisiana. Familiar and unfamiliar artists are comprehensively documented for the benefit of what is now a worldwide audience for a still-vibrant regional music. The book is encyclopedic in nature, impressively encyclopedic in actuality.--John Broven, author of Record Makers and Breakers

Louisiana has long merited an encyclopedia devoted to its great musicians. Gene Tomko has assiduously filled this need with his monumental, painstaking documentation of jazz, blues, Cajun/Creole music, zydeco, swamp pop, gospel, R&B, soul/funk, early rock and rockabilly. This goldmine for researchers is an invaluable addition to Louisiana's musical library.--Ben Sandmel, former drummer for The Hackberry Ramblers

The major tributaries of Louisiana's roots music history run deep and wide. As this book shows, they have been explored and defined by individuals of every region--each distinct yet part of the whole. Tomko's meticulously researched biographical profiles ultimately tell the story, one character at a time, of that greater heritage.--Roger Wood, author of Texas Zydeco

Through meticulous research and fact-checking Gene Tomko has gathered here an unprecedented body of knowledge about Louisiana's rich musical traditions. Fans and researchers will turn to this volume in the knowledge that they'll find definitive answers to their questions, and will relish simply reading through the carefully assembled entries.--Scott Barretta, former editor of Living Blues

About the Author

Gene Tomko is a writer, photographer, and artist who has documented roots music for more than twenty-five years, with a special interest in Louisiana music and culture. He created the Louisiana Music Map, and his work has appeared in numerous publications, including Living Blues, DownBeat, and Juke. He is coauthor of What's the Use of Walking If There's a Freight Train Going Your Way? Black Hoboes & Their Songs.