What is the link between Haarlem and Tipitina?
Or what is Tipitina?
We have to go back to the year 1953. That was the year in which a formidable New Orleans pianist we know as Profressor Longhair wrote a song full of gibberish, nonsense-words, not meaning anything. But the song did send a message. It was saying 'enjoy this music, enjoy life'. This song was called 'Tipitina'.
The earnings of the song were unexpectedly high. With that money Fess (as Professor Longhair is called more colloquially) started a music club in New Orleans which he called Tipitina's. Others tell the story that the club was founded as a place for Professor Longhair to perform in his final years. Whatever version is real, it is a fact that Tipitina's became a safehaven for many musicians and an institution in itself.
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While Fess worked the piano recording Tipitina in 1953, a boy called Eric was born in Haarlem, the Netherlands. With two elder brothers, 3 elder sisters and hardworking parents Eric searched for his own identity and found it in music. Playing various musical instruments in different bands, soaking up all information on music like a spunge, Eric finally made his dream come true. Mid 1990s he opened his very own store with CD's and vinyl on jazz, blues and world music. He called the store Tipitina.
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The fact is, music knows no boundaries nor borders. It crosses rivers and oceans, it inspires people anywhere on the globe, slides into houses, heads, and harts. Haarlem and Tipitina's in New Orleans might be almost 5000miles apart from each other, music brings it close to you, anytime you need it, any time you want.
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After 15 years of inspiring people, teaching people on new musical sounds, surprising them with beautiful songs from all over the world and many different styles, Tipitina was closed. The financial crisis of 2007 and the rise of digital music platforms drove people away from buying CD's and vinyl.
Closing the shop did not stop Eric though to keep collecting great albums. At the same time he kept a dream about once going to the cradle of his love for music: New Orleans, Louisiana. And when he turned 65 his family surprised him with a trip to the USA, together with his daughter.
It was the best holiday ever. Strolling through New Orleans, lying in the grass listening to the great voices at the French Quarter Festival, eating crawfish and all kinds of other amazing dishes, driving to Memphis for the Stax and Sun Studio's. Great music, amazing food and perfect company. We would not have done anything different, except maybe stay in New Orleans forever. As two days after flying home, my father tripped on the stairs and would not tell the story again.
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But there are still so many stories to tell and I don't want it to stop here. Going through all the records my father collected in his life brings back memories both sad and happy, all just as beautiful. These records tell stories I want to share with anyone who is ready to be inspired. Record by record the musical world will open up further.
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All I know about music, about Tipitina and about Professor Longhair I know from my father. It could very well be that some of the facts I state are actually made up, but we will never know for sure. I just know my father loved telling stories about music and making people happy by playing a few special tones for others. Let us continue enjoying music, enjoying life, like my father would.
