NEW ORLEANS — Mo’ Fess, the new band built around the music of Professor Longhair, features a few musicians who actually played with the famous pianist. They offered a concert at this year’s French Quarter Fest, playing Thursday, April 6 on the Tropical Isle Hand Grenade stage. Among the members of the band are drummer Earl Gordon, vocalist Leslie Blackshear-Smith, pianist and keyboardist Tom Worrell, guitarist June Yamagishi, saxophonist Lance Ellis, bassist David Hyde and percussionist Alfred Uganda Roberts.
Hollywood Soapbox was there to catch the action. Stay tuned for photo galleries from throughout the weekend.
June Yamagishi, a man who pops up in many NOLA bands, is the new guitarist of Mo’ Fess. Photo by John Soltes.
Alfred Uganda Roberts plays percussion as part of Mo’ Fess at French Quarter Fest 2017. Photo by John Soltes
Leslie Blackshear-Smith gets the crowd ready on the first day of French Quarter Fest 2017. Photo by John Soltes.
June Yamagishi plays guitar for Mo’ Fess. He used to play in Papa Grows Funk with John “Papa” Gros. Photo by John Soltes.
Lance Ellis takes a break from his saxophone to play harmonic at French Quarter Fest 2017. Photo by John Soltes.
Earl Gordon, who once played with Professor Longhair, keeps the beat with Mo’ Fess at French Quarter Fest 2017. Photo by John Soltes.
Tom Worrell plays the piano while Lance Ellis plays saxophone at Mo’ Fess’ performance at French Quarter Fest 2017. Photo by John Soltes.
John Soltes is an award-winning journalist. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Earth Island Journal, The Hollywood Reporter, New Jersey Monthly and at Time.com, among other publications.
E-mail him at john@hollywoodsoapbox.com
