Wardell Joseph Quezergue was an American composer, arranger, and producer born on March 12, 1930, in New Orleans. Known as the âCreole Beethovenâ, he began his career as a professional trumpet player and composer. He performed in Dave Bartholomewâs band in the late 1940s and served as an army musician during the Korean War. Quezergue achieved professional recognition for his horn arrangements and production for artists including Fats Domino, Stevie Wonder, and The Dixie Cups. He established Nola Records, which issued the Robert Parker single âBarefootinââ (1966), reaching number two on the R&B chart. His production career includes the King Floyd track âGroove Meâ (1970) and the Jean Knight single âMr. Big Stuffâ (1971), the latter of which reached Number 1 on the R&B chart. His discography includes the classical composition A Creole Mass (2000). He received an honorary doctorate in music from Loyola University New Orleans in 2009 and died on September 6, 2011.
Read All
Read Less