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| Dr. John at the benefit concert  The benefit concert to support the Elf Foundation, a non-profit charity, that creates Rooms of Magic—private entertainment theaters in children's hospitals that bring the enchantment of uplifting music and film to seriously ill children, will take place on Saturday, June 3. The concert will feature Dr. John—pianist, singer, and songwriter whose music spans and often combines the blues, boogie-woogie, and rock'n'roll, which has brought him acclaim among critics and fellow artists. Dr. John began his musical career as a New Orleans session musician in the 1950s.In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he gained fame with music that combined New Orleans–style rhythm and blues with psychedelic rock and stage shows that bordered on voodoo religious ceremonies, including elaborate costumes and headdresses. For a time he was billed as Doctor John, The Night Tripper. The name "Dr. John" came from a legendary Louisiana voodoo practitioner of the early 19th century. He is perhaps best known for his 1973 hit song, "Right Place, Wrong Time, " which reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. His film credits include Martin Scorsese's documentary The Last Waltz (in which he joins The Band for a performance of his song "Such a Night") and Blues Brothers 2000 (in which he joins the fictional band The Louisiana Gator Boys to perform the song "New Orleans"). In September 2005, Dr. John performed Fats Domino's "Walkin' to New Orleans" to close Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast, a telethon for the relief of survivors of Hurricane Katrina, which had devastated his hometown of New Orleans and other areas. On February 5, 2006, he joined fellow New Orleans native Aaron Neville, Detroit resident Aretha Franklin, and a 150-voice choir in the national anthem at Super Bowl XL, as part of a pre-game tribute to New Orleans. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |