Grandpa Elliott Small 1944-2022
One more star is twinkling in the firmament tonight and one fewer icon is holding down the unvarnished street character of the New Orleans French Quarter... one more magnificent voice is in the celestial choir, with a New Orleans accent and spin on everything he will talk about up there...Grandpa Elliott Small.
Known for decades as Grandpa Elliott, the man was a living legend, dressed in his trademark denim overalls, red shirt, floppy hat, his bushy Santa Claus beard poking out from under it. Most nights, there he was at the corner of Royal and Toulouse, sitting on a milk crate, his suitcase by his side.
Born in the Lafitte Housing Project, the man everyone calls "Grandpa Elliott" had been making music for years. Locals knew him by sight and shouted hello as they pass by. Tourists on Royal Street stop in their tracks when they walk past the legend, crooning and playing his harmonica. If street musicians are royalty, some like Grandpa Elliott wear their crowns with nonchalant elan.
Music is the rosetta stone of New Orleans. One of the best places to hear it is on the streets of the French Quarter. He would have been a top tier memory if you happened to walk by the corner of Royal and Toulouse and hear him croon and back it up with his harmonica.
The man was an embodiment of New Orleans spirit, warm, full of stories, outgoing, engaging, accepting. He unfailingly lifted the spirit of any who come in contact with him. Totally blind since 2005, he doesn't seem to miss much of what's going on around him.
December 2012. The man gets around.
There's Grandpa being transported in a wheelchair to the same American Airlines flight as mine at Louis Armstrong International Airport.
"Hello, Grandpa, it's PT from Boston. I really enjoy listening to you sing in front of Rouse's on Royal Street. A million people have clicked on the Playing For Change 'Stand By Me' video."
He laughs, says thank you, adjusts his glasses, right side an empty frame, left side a deep sun-glass tint to block light.
"Since I recorded that video, Aaron Neville has sung it, Dr. John has sung it."
He holds out his big hand, says thank you. "I'm heading to Spain to make a 'Playing For Change' video."
“You’re really stirring things up,” says I, "see you back in New Orleans. I'll get you another Dr. Pepper at Rouse's!"
Grandpa was one of the musicians playing Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" on the uplifting award-winning documentary, Playing For Change: Peace Through Music, (the late Roger Ridley sings the lead and Grandpa Elliott is featured at the one minute mark sitting next to Jackson Square as he sang) the first of many 'Songs Around The World' produced by Playing For Change. That song has been viewed 177 million times.
It could be an anthem for the times we live in.
"My eyes hurt me," he said to me one night.
"Do you mean pain?" says I.
"No, that I can't see."
It was a rare admission from a man who overcame growing up in rough circumstances to occupy a seat of royalty on Royal Street in New Orleans. This is a man who performed to a crowd of more than 40,000 at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, on June 30, 2009. He couldn't see them. He sure felt them.
You may have seen him perform in the Playing for Change videos.
BONUS: Grandpa playing in Brazil! (Grandpa kicks in at the 3:30 minute mark with the PFC Band)
And rocks the house in San Salvadore in 2018
https://www.playingforchange.com/band
From the web
How can musicians change the world?
Music can help in healing, in breaking down barriers and borderd, in reconciling, and it can also educate. s a cultural right, music can help to promote and protect other human rights (civil, political, economic or social). There are many amazing examples of music being used as a tool for social change around the world.
How Grandpa Elliott got connected with Playing For Change. I couldn't remember the name of Playing For Change.I couldn't remember the name Playing For Change. Grandpa helped me out.
Photos and 2 videos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.
PT,
Thank you so much sharing this story with the world. I never met Grandpa Elliot, but I love his music and his spirit. Chantelle and I first saw the Playing For Change’s video of “Stand By Me” a few years back, and immediately fell in love with it. Grandpa Elliot has a huge impression on my memory when thinking about that video, or Playing For Change in general. It seems like the two names just go together. He will be missed.
Posted by: Horace and Chantelle Trahan | March 10, 2022 at 02:14 PM
So good to hear from you, Horace,
Grandpa Elliott was the real deal, never full of himself as he became popular. Here was this legend, sitting on a milk crate in front of Rouse’s, who chatted with anyone who wanted to talk with him.
The Stand By Me video and all the songs played by the Playing For Change Band are full of energy, love, and the positivity of the human spirit. Much like Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express.
Keep on keeping on,
Paul
PT from Boston
Posted by: Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. | March 10, 2022 at 02:15 PM
A really fine tribute Paul. I actually didn’t know that you had shared time with him but I shouldn’t be surprised. Actually, I’m not surprised! I always love how you appreciate every type of music and the human beings that make it happen. It’s obviously what makes your heart sing.
Posted by: Rubia Solis | March 10, 2022 at 02:18 PM