Grandpa Elliott Small

Grandpa Elliott Small, born Elliot Small in 1945, also known as Uncle Remus, is a veteran street-musician in New Orleans, Louisiana. He plays the... more

by Steve Harrington

Title

Grandpa Elliott Small

Artist

Steve Harrington

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Photograph - Photography

Description

Grandpa Elliott Small, born Elliot Small in 1945, also known as Uncle Remus, is a veteran street-musician in New Orleans, Louisiana. He plays the harmonica, sings, and is a street icon in New Orleans. Here he is taking a break on the corner of Royal and St Peter streets in the French Quarter. He arrives here most mornings by taxi and spends his days singing his soulful songs and playing his harmonica. It's the place where everybody knows his name."When I feel sick, I come out here to feel better," he said. "The French Quarter is my medicine."
Small completely lose his sight to glaucoma until 2005. It was in that year that recording engineer and producer Mark Johnson launched a project called Playing for Change, dedicated to promoting international unity through music. He began recording performances by street performers from around the world. Johnson heard Small sing the Ben E. King hit "Stand by Me" and immediately recorded him singing the tune on Royal Street, making his performance the centerpiece of a video featuring performances of the number by a handful of artists.

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April 24th, 2014