Oscar Celestin's legendary career can easily be split in two. A pioneer who moved to New Orleans in 1906, Celestin played with the Algiers Brass Band and the Olympia Band before heading the Tuxedo Brass Band and his original Tuxedo Orchestra (1917-1930s). Although not a major trumpeter, Celestin's band was excellent and recorded in the 1920s. After the Depression hit, Celestin retired from music, but in 1946 he made a comeback with a new version of the Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra. This group, playing Dixieland standards and hymns, became a major tourist attraction in New Orleans, appeared on TV and radio, and made some records. They even played a special concert at Dwight Eisenhower's White House in 1953. Celestin died in 1954. ~ Scott Yanow