Dr. John - Remembering the only Doctor I could not wait to see.

Photos by Ali Kaufman

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 w ith the one and only Dr. John. Malcolm John Rebennack Jr, the Night Tripper, Voodoo King of New Orleans, maker of dreams and fantastical scenes. Mac's presence was not schtick…it 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.

Photo by Ali Kaufman

Photo by Ali Kaufman

Photo by Ali Kaufman

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 witnessed prior. From the moment that Bruce Springsteen skidded onto the stage, opening with perhaps Mac's most recognizable song, "Right P lace, Wrong Time," we were all on our feet, cheering and singing along. This Don Was / Keith Wortman production is available on DVD 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 flown in and assembled on the beach for an i ntimate 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.

Mac was so much more than his 6 Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and a long list of accolades. He created a feeling when he took the stage, no matter where that stage was, you felt transported to the land of red beans and rice and cajun queens. Since Dr. John's passing in June of this year, there have been many remembrances and a second line of the grandest proportion. This month the iconic New Orleans venue, Tipitina's, will be the site of a tribute produced by legendary talent buyer Sonny Schneidau. I had a chance to speak with the event's musical director, George Porter Jr. As an original member of The Meters, he played bass on two of Dr. John's albums. One of the records was the best selling, "In The Right Place," and a year later, 1974's Desitively Bonnaroo. Mr. Porter expressed to me his hope for the upcoming generation to "take elements of what musicians like Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Art Neville, and others brought the community to the next level. I am so appreciative of the musical 'edumacation' that was imparted to me and will miss this man that brought his own lexicon to the world. From Gris Gris to the last recording made with guitarist Shane Theriot to be released posthumously, you took no crap and always gave us your all, plus lagniappe, and for that, I am eternally and 'positootly' grateful.”

If you are inclined to honor Dr. John’s legacy or perhaps what would have been his birthday on the 20th of November, may I suggest a donation to the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and Assistance Foundation. He was a big supporter of this group that provides invaluable health care for body, mind and spirit. www. neworleansmusiciansclinic.org