Trad jazz cornetist and bandleader Thomas "Mutt" Carey (aka "Papa Mutt") passed away in Elsinore, CA on September 3, 1948 at age 56. The Hahnville, Louisiana native joined brother Jack Carey's band in 1913, then replaced Lewis Matthews in Kid Ory's band in 1914. He briefly played with Lawrence Duhe's band in Chicago in 1918, but returned to New Orleans to escape the cold. He moved to California in 1919 to rejoin Ory and they recorded as Spike's Seven Pods of Pepper in 1922. "Ory's Creole Trombone" and "Society Blues" were the first jazz recordings by an African-American band from New Orleans. Carey took over Ory's band when he left for Chicago in 1925. He joined Ory's band again in 1944 and toured with him until 1947. Read more about Mutt Carey here and here. See Mutt Carey discography. Watch Mutt Carey videos on YouTube.
1925
Trumpeter, vocalist and bandleader Freddie Domino was born in New Orleans September 3, 1925. He worked with his cousin Fats Domino, Al Hirt, Dave Bartholomew, Billy Diamond, Ernie K-Doe, Reggie Hall, Jessie Hill, and others. Domino passed away at his home in New Orleans on September 8, 2008.
1951
Zydeco musician and entrepreneur Sid Williams was born (Sidney Joseph Williams, Jr.) on September 3, 1951 in Saint Martinville, LA. Williams owned the famed Lafayette, LA music landmark El Sid O's Zydeco & Blues Club (opened in 1985). Performers at the club included Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco, Rockin' Dopsie, and family members Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Cha's and Lil Nathan & The Zydeco Big Timers. El Sid O's was also where Williams held his annual Thanksgiving food drive to help those in need. Williams passed away in Lafayette after a battle with cancer on Februay 2, 2025. He was 73. Watch this video clip of Williams from CNN's "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown". See Sid Williams discography. Watch Sid Williams videos on YouTube.
1965
Tireless accordionist, bandleader, bead slinger and cultural ambassador Terrance Simien was born in Mallet, Louisiana on September 3, 1965. Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience won a Grammy in the newly introduced Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album category in 2008 for the album "Live! Worldwide". Simien and his wife, Cynthia led the campaign to establish the Zydeco category. The category was retired in 2011. In 2012, zydeco or cajun recordings were eligible for the Best Regional Roots Music Album category. He won a Grammy in that category in 2014 for the album "Dockside Sessions". See Terrance Simien discography. Watch Terrance Simien videos on YouTube.
1972
Nashville based songwriter Blair Daly was born in Opelousas, Louisiana on September 3, 1972. The versatile tunesmith has written or co-written hits for Kip Moore, Rascal Flatts, Big & Rich, Uncle Kracker, Kelly Clarkson, Chicago, Black Veil Brides, and many others. Read more here and here. See Blair Daly discography.
1973
Noted New Orleans clarinetist and bandleader Albert Nicholas passed away in Basle, Switzerland on September 3, 1973 at age 73. Nicholas recorded with King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Red Allen, and many others. He moved to Europe in 1953 where he toured and resided for his final 20 years. Read more here. See Albert Nicholas discography. Watch Albert Nicholas videos on YouTube.
Rapper B.G. (aka Baby Gangsta) was born (Christopher Noel Dorsey) in New Orleans on September 3, 1980. Dorsey was signed to Cash Money Records at age 11, and released his first album "True Story" in 1995. B.G. left Cash Money Records in 2001 to start his own label, Chopper City Records. B.G. was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison on gun charges in 2012. He was released in 2023 after serving 11 years, and he resumed his performing and recording career. He joined his old label mates on the Cash Money Millionaires 30th Anniversary Tour in 2025 and the Cash Money & No Limit Tour in 2026. Follow B.G. on Instagram. See B.G. discography. Listen to B.G. music on YouTube.
The Wailin' Jennys, Andy Stein, Prudence Johnson, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band were guests on radio's "A Prairie Home Companion" on September 3, 2005. Listen to the show here.
2010
Avant-garde jazz saxophonist, composer, and founder of the AltSax Record label Noah Howard passed away on September 3, 2010, while vacationing in Southern France. The New Orleans native was 67. Read more here and here. See Noah Howard discography. Watch Noah Howard videos on YouTube.
