Henry 'Professor Longhair' Byrd

Portrait of three great New Orleans piano players.

A film created by Les Blank and Maureen Gosling from footage that was cut from the documentary "Always for Pleasure" (1978) about Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

The recording date of this particular concert was October 30th, 1974. The featured bands/artists are Dr. John & The Night Trippers, Professor Longhair, Earl King, and The Meters.

Director — and piano player — Clint Eastwood explores his life-long passion for piano blues, using a treasure trove of rare historical footage in addition to interviews and performances by such living legends as Pinetop Perkins and Jay McShann, as well as Dave Brubeck and Marcia Ball.

"Professor Longhair, Rugged and Funky" dives into the life of unsung musical genius Professor Longhair. Known as the "Originator of Funk and Rock & Roll" and "The Bach of Rock", Professor Longhair like so many other black musicians of his time, and still today, never got his due.