Who is James Booker?--Mr. Underratted.?

James Booker is one of the greatest New Orleans piano players ever, he was classically trained and many time played Beethoven and Mozart to a Bluesy New Orleans style. I wanted to know how many of you blue fans actually heard of him.

Jerry Lee Lewis.

I grew up in New Orleans and saw Mr. Booker quite a few times. It was always fun wondering which sort of eyepatch he'd wear on any given night.

Between him and Professor Longhair, the 1970s were a wonderful time uptown.

Two good questions in a row in the blues section, quite a rarity! Mostly it's about loud white guitarists.

Sory to say I can't recall James Booker - and I will try to correct that!

but double thumbs up to corrosionfactor for his comment about the loud white guys!

Edited to add: Quick YouTube search - OF COURSE James Booker! Can't believe this cat slipped my mind!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejfO42tBS...

Saw him at the Jazz Fest- love that cool "star" eyepatch.

Not only great on his own records - you have to hear the Paramount Tapes if you haven't already- but a great session player on TONS of records.