Wardell Quezergue, 1930-2011

“Wardell Quezergue Sr., the bandleader, producer, composer, arranger and educator whose contributions to a plethora of New Orleans rhythm & blues classics earned him the moniker “the Creole Beethoven,” died Tuesday morning at East Jefferson Hospital of congestive heart failure. He was 81. As an arranger and, occasionally, as a producer, Mr. Quezergue (pronounced ka-ZAIR) dressed up recordings with horns and other embellishments. His credits include Jean Knight’s smash ‘Mr. Big Stuff,’ the Dixie Cups’ ‘Iko Iko’ and ‘Chapel of Love,’ Professor Longhair’s recording of ‘Big Chief,’ Robert Parker’s ‘Barefootin,’ King Floyd’s ‘Groove Me,’ Dorothy Moore’s ‘Misty Blue’ and Dr. John’s landmark 1992 album ‘Goin’ Back to New Orleans.’”
 — When the first two paragraphs of your obituary read like the tracklist for one of the best mixtapes ever you’ve done pretty well.