Heroes of Katrina: Ten Years After-Al Johnson and Dave and Rose...NOLA musicans

It was in December 1959 that Alvin Lee Johnson (born June 20, 1939) entered Cosimo Matassa’s recording studio.  He emerged from the studio on Governor Nicholls Street with what would be a belated hit song and a new name, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson.  Joe Ruffino produced the recording session for his Ric label and Carnival Time eventually joined Professor Longhair’s Go to the Mardi Gras and Big Chief, and the Hawkettes’ Mardi Gras Mambo as classics of the New Orleans Mardi Gras.

Johnson, like so many New Orleans musicians, grew up in the city’s Ninth Ward where he played trumpet and piano.  Born in 1939, he was influenced early on by Sugar Boy Crawford, Fats Domino, and Smiley Lewis.

Alvin Johnson, best known for his famous song, "Carnival Time," has been a New Orleans Mardi Gras icon for over 40 years. A Rhythm & Blues performer, Al is a New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival veteran and has worked with the likes of Aaron Neville, Oliver Morgan, Bobby Lonero as well as (the late Tommy Ridgley, Jessie Hill, Bobby Mitchell, Eddie Bo & Ernie K-Doe) 

Al has performed on the "Louisiana Jukebox" TV program and been the star of a highly successful Louisiana Lottery Mardi Gras campaign. Al has also been the subject of numerous articles in Mardi Gras Guide, New Orleans Magazine, Offbeat Magazine, The Louisiana Weekly, The Times Picayune, and Gambit Weekly.

Also on the show, we have an amazing local New Orleans team...."Dave and Rose"...these fine local musicians will share their music and perspective regarding the 10 years after Katrina... Please join us for a fest of great music and perspective from NOLA musicians...