THE DEFINITIVE REMASTERED EDITION - THE FATHER OF NEW ORLEANS R&B. Henry Roeland Byrd, aka Professor Longhair (also known as "Baldhead" or "Fess"), remains one of the most recognizable piano talents to come out of Louisiana. He is often referred to as the father of New Orleans R&B. His funky, rumba-based piano style and delightfully deep and wildedged voice livened up nightclubs and festivals spanning four decades. He made some of the most captivating songs the world has ever known - expressive music that is virtually unrivaled for it's pure joy. If you've never heard him, you don't know as much as you think you do. This best-of collection gathers a variety of the great R&B recordings he made for different labels such as Atlantic, Mercury, Federal and Ebb Records between 1949 and 1957. These recordings also feature a virtual who's who of fabulous musicians from the Crescent City scene, including Earl Palmer, Lee Allen, Alvin "Red" Tyler, Justin Adams and Charles "Hungry" Williams, among others. "One of the off-handed founders of modern day popular music." Rolling Stone Magazine (May 1972). "Professor Longhair was the guardian angel of the roots of New Orleans music. He was a one-of-a-kind musician and man, and he defined a certain style of rhumba-boogie funk that WAS New Orleans R&B from the late 1940s all the way through to his death in 1980. All New Orleans pianists today owe Fess. He was the guru, godfather and spiritual root doctor of all that came under him." - Dr. John