DEACON JOHN MOORE: ALL 50 JAZZ FEST

Deacon John will be playing at Jazz Fest Sunday April 28th at  4:25 in the Blues Tent.

A New Orleanian and Singer from the very start.  It is no surprise to generations of us that Deacon John is one of the few musicians to play every New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Deacon John at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. (photo credit and date unknown please email me if you have info)

A SINGER FROM THE MOMENT HE STARTED CRYING

"My mother said of all her children, I cried the loudest.  'I could hear him crying all around the corner.'  She knew I was going to be a singer."
-Deacon John Moore

Born in 1941, John Moore was raised in the 8th ward of New Orleans, where many creole musicians are from.

His mother wanted to ensure that John would be a singer.  In keeping with creole tradition/folklore she cut his nails under a fig tree.

His mother was a piano player and would force a shy John to sing for her friends.

Young John Moore singing in boys choir. (Photo Credit unkown, please email info)

One of his mother's friends started to give him a silver dime every time he would sing for them.  At that moment he realized he could make money singing.  As Deacon John tells it,  "after that they couldn’t shut me up.”

BECOMING A GUITARIST

Deacon John Moore in his home studio, 2014. (Photo Credit: John McCusker, The Advocate)

John was from a family of string players and had a natural affinity towards string instruments.  He tried his hand at the ukulele and piano but settled on the guitar in high school. 

He would chaperone his older sisters to school dances at Xavier Prep. and St. Mary's and would watch the guitar players.

Here he was exposed to great guitarists who played in the rhythm and blues bands.  Some of the greats he saw were Snooks Eaglin, Papoose Nelson, and Justin Adams. 

"DEACON" JOHN AND HIS BANDS

While attending St. Augustine High School, John was in several bands including The Rockets, The Playboys and of course The Ivories. 

Deacon John and the Ivories. (Photo Credit: Gambit)

The Ivories was the magic name to get gigs. Many other bands were identified by the name of the lead singer & the band name. The Ivories wanted to do the same.

The band decided that they would call John Moore, Deacon John. John was concerned that people would think they were a gospel group. The band insisted on the name.

The name "Deacon John" came from the Roy Brown song "Good Rockin' Tonight."

Many notable musicians came through Deacon Johns band, crediting him with much of their success. Zigaboo Modeliste of the Meters, Art Neville, James Booker and Willie Tee were all in Deacon John's bands.


ALLEN TOUSSAINT AND ARRIVING ON THE MUSIC SCENE

Deacon John felt as if he finally arrived on the New Orleans music scene when he was asked by Allen Toussaint to play on recording sessions. This reaffirmed that he was good enough and was another source of income.

Deacon John played on many hits including:

• Mother in Law
• Barefootin
• I Like it Like That
• Land of 1000 Dances
• Working in the Coal Mine

ALL 50 JAZZ FESTS

Deacon John was booked to play in every New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. There are very few musicians that hold this distinction. Deacon John did not have to leave his house after Hurricane Katrina, so he was able to keep his streak unbroken during those hard times.

MANY RIVERS TO CROSS

While playing with a rock band in 1970 Deacon John was given Many Rivers to Cross to record.  Stanley Chaisson with All South Distributors thought it would be the perfect song for Deacon John.

The song became a regional hit for Deacon John, and was on its way to becoming a national hit. 

Shortly after Deacon John recorded Many Rivers to Cross, Percy Sledge released his own version.

The notoriety of Sledge got his version more airplay nationally.  This version became the more popular of the two.

LEGACY: HELPING OTHERS

Musicians local president Deacon John Moore (Photo Credit: New Orleans City Council)

John Moore may not be a real deacon but he has the heart of one.  He has helped musicians for decades by giving them good jobs to support their families.

Standing up for the rights of musicians, he joined the musicians union in 1958.  There were two segregated unions until 1968 when they merged.   After Hurricane Katrina Deacon John became the first Black President of the New Orleans Musicians Union.

He has used his life as an example in helping others. 

No one is more "New Orleans" than Deacon John Moore.

To watch the entire Deacon John "First Person" oral history go to the NOLASOME YouTube page.

Deacon John will be playing at Jazz Fest Sunday April 28th at  4:25 in the Blues Tent.