1. Oscar Phillip Celestin, better known by his stage name Papa Celestin, was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader.
13 Facts About Papa Celestin
1. 2.
Papa Celestin played guitar and trombone before deciding on cornet as his main instrument.
3.
Papa Celestin took music lessons from Claiborne Williams, who traveled down the Bayou Lafourche from Donaldsonville.
4.
For years, Papa Celestin co-led the Tuxedo Band with trombonist William Ridgely.
5.
Papa Celestin led the Tuxedo Brass Band, one of the top brass bands in the city.
6.
In 1932 Papa Celestin was forced out of the music business by the impact of the Great Depression.
7.
Papa Celestin worked in a shipyard until he was able to form a new band after World War II.
8.
In 1953, Papa Celestin was filmed leading his band for the travelogue Cinerama Holiday.
9.
Papa Celestin's band became a regular feature at the Paddock Lounge on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, and made regular radio broadcasts, television appearances, and more recordings.
10.
In 1953 Papa Celestin gave a command performance for President Eisenhower at the White House.
11.
Papa Celestin's last recording was "Marie LaVeau", on which he sang.
12.
In view of the contribution Papa Celestin made in jazz throughout his lifetime, the Jazz Foundation of New Orleans had a bust made and donated to the Delgado Museum in New Orleans.
13.
Papa Celestin recorded for Okeh in 1925, then for Columbia for the rest of the decade.