Joseph Robichaux was a long-standing professional. He is best known for leading the New Orleans Rhythm Boys in five sessions recorded between August 22 and 26, 1933. These sessions produced 22 selections, plus two alternate takes. The explosive, four-rhythm band of three horns was completely unlike the usual soothing music of that era. He was the nephew of John Robichaux, an early New Orleans bandleader. He began playing piano at the age of five and attended New Orleans University. Robichaux spent nine months working for the O.J. Beatty Carnival. In 1918, he first visited Chicago with Tig Chambers’ trumpeter band. He didn’t stay for long. Robichaux returned to New Orleans and worked with Earl Humphrey (1922-23), Lee Collins, and the Black Eagles (1922-223). He also recorded with the Jones-Collins Astoria Eight (and arranged for it) in 1929. Robichaux was a backing singer for Christina Gray in 1929’s recording sessions. He then formed his own band in 1931. The group, which also included Eugene Ware on trumpet, Alfred Guichard on alto and clarinet, Gene Porter on tenor, and Ward Crosby’s driving drumming, was discovered by a talent scout. They then traveled to New York for marathon recording sessions. Robichaux and his band were unable to work in clubs due to union problems. Robichaux returned home shortly after the recording sessions. They toured Cuba, where they expanded the group to 14 members in the 1930s. One of their sidemen was Earl Bostic (a young altoist who wrote “Let Me Off Uptown”, which Gene Krupa would later reproduce for him). Although the orchestra recorded four songs for Decca in 1936, they were never released. Robichaux was a solo pianist who mainly played in New Orleans after the dissolution of the big band in 1939. Robichaux had many chances to play sideman on R.
