TUTS WASHINGTON

Biography

Isidore 'Tuts' Washington, born January 24, 1907, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a pioneering blues and boogie-woogie pianist who largely taught himself piano starting at age 10. Inspired by local brass bands and itinerant musician Joseph Louis 'Red' Cayou, whom he studied under, Washington quickly became a prodigy known as 'Papa Yellow.' By his teens, he surpassed most barrelhouse pianists, blending ragtime, jazz, blues, and occasional bawdy vocals while sitting in with Dixieland and society bands. He quit school after sixth grade to pursue music full-time, performing in New Orleans clubs and barrooms along South Rampart Street during the 1920s and 1930s.[1][2][4][5][6]

After World War II, Washington joined singer-guitarist Smiley Lewis in a trio with drummer Herman Seals, recording landmark New Orleans R&B tracks like 'Tee-Nah-Nah,' 'The Bells Are Ringing,' and 'Dirty People' for Imperial Records before their 1952 breakup. He briefly relocated to St. Louis in 1950 to play with the Tab Smith Orchestra, then returned to New Orleans by the late 1950s, performing at French Quarter spots like Tipitina's, the Court of Two Sisters, the Pontchartrain Hotel's Caribbean Room, and on the Delta Queen steamboat. He also worked with the Clyde Kerr Orchestra and Papa Celestin, adapting his style for tourists while maintaining his eclectic mix of boogie-woogie, barrelhouse, R&B, gospel, and jazz.[1][2][4][5]

Washington avoided recording throughout most of his career, prioritizing live performances, but released the solo album New Orleans Piano Professor on Rounder Records in 1983 at age 76, showcasing his vast repertoire from spirituals to pop. A live album, Live at Tipitina's '78, surfaced posthumously in 1998. He died on August 5, 1984, from a heart attack while performing at the New Orleans World's Fair, cementing his legacy as a foundational influence on Crescent City pianists.[1][2][5]

Fun Facts

• Known as 'Papa Yellow' in his youth for his prodigious talent, Washington memorized brass band performances by whistling tunes at home before recreating them on piano.[1][4]
• He died on stage at age 77 from a heart attack during a performance at the 1984 New Orleans World's Fair.[1][2]
• Washington rejected most recording offers, prioritizing his status as French Quarter's top pianist, only releasing a major album at 76.[1][2][4]
• A regular at the Pontchartrain Hotel piano bar for years, he played on the Mississippi River steamboat Delta Queen while holding gigs at spots like Tipitina's.[1][2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Joseph Louis 'Red' Cayou - Primary mentor and teacher who instructed Washington in piano after he taught himself basics (None specified; focused on local performances and repertoire building) [1917-1925]

Key Collaborators

• Smiley Lewis - Trio member as pianist; backed the singer-guitarist on key R&B recordings ('Tee-Nah-Nah,' 'The Bells Are Ringing,' 'Dirty People' (Imperial Records)) [Late 1940s-1952]
• Herman Seals - Drummer in Smiley Lewis trio (Imperial Records sessions including 'Tee-Nah-Nah') [Post-WWII to 1952]
• Tab Smith - Pianist in Tab Smith Orchestra during relocation period (Orchestra performances) [1950s]
• Clyde Kerr Orchestra - Band member adding pop elements for tourists (Live performances in New Orleans) [1960s onward]
• Papa Celestin - Played jazz with the local legend's band upon return to New Orleans (Live jazz performances) [1950s-1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Professor Longhair (Roy Byrd) - Young Byrd followed Washington in clubs, absorbing his style years before fame (Professor Longhair's early piano style) [1930s-1940s]
• James Booker - Principal teacher as family friend; mentored young Booker at home (Booker's early piano development) [1950s]
• Allen Toussaint - Primary influence on later Crescent City pianists including Toussaint (Toussaint's New Orleans piano style) [Mid-20th century]
• Fats Domino - Primary influence on later Crescent City players including Domino (Domino's R&B piano foundations) [Mid-20th century]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Honky Tonk (New Orleans Piano Professor)
2. When The Saints Go Marching In (New Orleans Piano Professor)
3. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (New Orleans Piano Professor)
4. Arkansas Blues (New Orleans Piano Professor)
5. When the Saints Go Marching In - Live (Live at Tipitina's)
6. Tin Roof Blues (New Orleans Piano Professor)
7. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (New Orleans Piano Professor)
8. Jambalaya (New Orleans Piano Professor)
9. Misty (New Orleans Piano Professor)
10. Stardust (New Orleans Piano Professor)

External Links

• Spotify