Terence Blanchard on How Dr. John Captured the Sound of New Orleans

Like so many musicians from New Orleans, Malcolm John Rebennack Jr.--known as Dr. John--played music for the pure love of it. That love allowed him to be himself. I first encountered him when I was on tour in Japan in the 1980s; he was doing a double bill with the Neville Brothers, and when we saw those guys, it was almost like we were back home.

Mac was a sweetheart, and when I would see him, we'd talk about New Orleans and the things New Orleanians talk about, which is mostly food and parties.

Like so many musicians from New Orleans, Malcolm John Rebennack Jr.--known as Dr. John--played music for the pure love of it. That love allowed him to be himself. I first encountered him when I was on tour in Japan in the 1980s; he was doing a double bill with the Neville Brothers, and when we saw those guys, it was almost like we were back home. Mac was a sweetheart, and when I would see him, we'd talk about New Orleans and the things New Orleanians talk about, which is mostly food and parties.