Oysters, Louisiana, and Music

When I think about the great state of Louisiana, I think of two things: seafood and music. I am a huge jazz fan and I understand the history of this uniquely American music form that was born and reared in New Orleans, and as a lover of seafood who has visited Louisiana on several occasions I can tell you that the cuisine is out of this world. Frankly, Louisiana and me are a great fit because I have to say that great music and tasty seafood are probably my two favorite things in the entire world. Add in a little Louisiana bayou brew and I am as close to heaven as I am probably going to get.

Once I was sitting at an oyster bar in the French Quarter in New Orleans, and I was watching the bartender shucking oysters and it was amazing to watch. I ate more than my share, and I have a very vivid imagination, and I started thinking: what if the the oysters were actually holding their own unique tune inside of their shells when they were sealed, and as soon as you opened them you would hear some extraordinary trumpet-like melody. Then I started thinking that Buddy Bolden probably heard the first notes of what became jazz music when somebody opened some Gulf oysters, and he basically just laid down the oyster music that he would hear and it grew from there.

I know your going to say that's silly and whatnot, but...hey, you never know. Check out the great site for all things oyster, BeOysterAware.com, and pay close attention the next time you are around somebody who is shucking an oyster.