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* Jan
1, 1884 Napoleonville, La
† Dec 15, 1954 New Orleans, La
Oscar "Papa" Celestine was born in Napoleonville. While a young man he moved
to Algiers and played cornet with the Algiers Brass Band (early 1900's16), Henry "Red" Allen's
and the Excelsior Brass Band. Later he formed his own band, The Original Tuxedo
Orchestra in 1910 and the Tuxedo Brass Band in 1911. One of the cornet players
in Papa Celestine's Brass Band was Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. Celestine's band
was known for playing wherever jazz music was needed--funerals, picnics, or
dances. In 1953, the band played for the President of the United States.i1
Oscar "Papa" Celestin is a major figure in New Orleans music. Born in 1884
in Napoleonville, Louisiana he moved to New Orleans in 1906 and by 1910 lead a
band at the Tuxedo Dance Hall. His career parallels the lifes of Jelly Roll
Morton, King Oliver, and Louis Armstrong though his popularity remained
primarily regional. By the 1950's when these recordings were made "Papa"
Celestin had a resurge of local popularity performing on weekly radio broadcasts
and television programs. His band played at balls, banquets, parades, parties
and high school dances. Celestin's original version of the song "Marie Laveau"
the voodoo queen featured on this CD is a classic New Orleans hit record. It has
been covered by Dr. John and numerous others. Musically it bridges the gap
between jazz and the R&B music becoming popular at that time.i2
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