NEW ORLEANS NIGHTLIFE & MUSIC - New Orleans Musicians
New Orleans Musicians: Lionel Ferbos
New Orleans' senior jazz man Lionel Ferbos has seen it all.
At 90, you've probably played with everyone in New Orleans jazz.
I've met everyone. I met Louis Armstrong a couple of times. I played with lots of people. I sat in with Papa Celestan's band. Not as a member, but I've played with lots of bands.
What's your greatest gift in music?
Right now, just playing is great.
Do you prefer traditional jazz?
I like all the classics and popular tunes. I wasn't considered a jazz player until recent years because I read music. I played a lot of ragtime.
How did you pick up trumpet playing?
I wanted to play trumpet but I had asthma. My mother said I couldn't play a horn. One day I went over to the Orpheum Theater and saw Phil Scatonly's All-Girl Orchestra, an all girl band. I figured if they could play so could I. I went and bought a little cornet at a pawn shop on Rampart Street.
Did you have problems with the asthma?
I was a little boy. I used to have my brother carry the horn. But I could always play for an hour. Later I got cured of the asthma.
Do you have a favorite song to play?
I like the standards. St. Louis Blues and all of the pretty tunes.
What do you like to do when you're not playing trumpet?
I used to like to go crabbing out on the lake or on the bayous.
You've always had a day job, is it tough to juggle two professions?
I've been lucky. I've never had to ask for a [band] job. People always came and got me. So somebody must have seen something.