RIP Lionel Batiste

1997_Salute_to_Uncle_Lionel-115, a photo by NoVARon on Flickr.

I first met Lionel Batiste when the Tréme Brass Band played the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival in the mid-nineties. He was an institution in his home town, beloved by musicians and music lovers (to use the term of Kermit Ruffins). I just found about his passing and just want to express my sadness. He brought so much happiness to so many.

Keith Spera had an obituary of him at nola.com that I am linking, http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2012/07/uncle_lionel_batiste_treme_bra.html

The image at the top was taken at a salute to him 15 years ago during jazzFest at the Funky Butt. The image at the bottom was taken at the 2005 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.