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Remembering the only Doctor I could not wait to see. Profile by Ali Kaufman
I
have done hundreds of interviews, and the subjects stay with me for several reasons. However, sometimes, I am blessed with a connection that leaves a trail of magic in its wake. That is how I feel about the time I spent with the one and only Dr. John. Malcolm John Rebennack Jr, the Night Tripper, Voodoo King of New Orleans, maker of dreams and fantastical
witnessed prior. From the moment that Bruce Springsteen skidded onto the stage, opening with perhaps Mac's most recognizable song, "Right Place, Wrong Time," we were all on our feet, cheering and singing along. This Don Was / Keith Wortman production is available on DVD
Photos by Ali Kaufman
flown in and assembled on the beach for an intimate performance. That is where I became friends with, in his words, his badass musical director and trombonist, Sarah Morrow. Dr. John felt every move he made was directed by spirit, his lengthy association with Sarah was undoubtedly that. Together they brought the album "Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch," a tribute to Louis Armstrong, to life and garnered a Grammy Nomination. They also reached new fans with the remake of "I Wanna Be Like You" for the Disney live-action Jungle Book.
Photos by Ali Kaufman
scenes. Mac's presence was not schtick‌it was who he was. From the top of his feathered fedora to the tip of his alligator shoes, he was a son of the Crescent City and an ambassador of all things groovy. I first remember Dr. John playing Splish Splash on Sesame Street. Who could have guessed years later I would be sent to cover a show at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans, honoring the Musical Mojo of Dr. John. That show was like none other, the love that the star studded line up had for Mac was beyond anything I had
for all to enjoy. Irma Thomas, Anders Osborne, Mavis Staples, and long-time collaborator Allen Toussaint were all there, all taking turns playing songs from the good doctor's catalog. Anders had more than the music to thank Mac for as he shared with me how vital Dr. John's support was with his own sobriety. Rebennack's hardpartying ways were as legendary as his musicality, but he went on to help others follow the path of cleaner living once he was walking it. I followed Mac on his tour in 2014 to Little Palm Island, off the Florida coast, where his piano was
Photos by Ali Kaufman
