Isidore "Tuts" Washington

Isidore "Tuts" Washington (January 24, 1907 – August 5, 1984) was an American blues pianist from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.

He taught himself to play the piano at age 10 and studied with the New Orleans jazz pianist Joseph Louis "Red" Cayou. In the 1920s and 1930s, he was a leading player for dance bands and Dixieland bands in New Orleans. His style blended elements of ragtime, jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie.

After World War II, Washington joined Smiley Lewis in a trio with drummer Herman Seals. They released several popular songs for Imperial, including "Tee-Nah-Nah", "The Bells Are Ringing", and "Dirty People". Washington moved to St. Louis to play with Tab Smith. He returned to New Orleans in the 1960s, performing in restaurants in the French Quarter, in clubs such as Tipitina's and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. For years he had a regular engagement playing piano at a bar in the Pontchartrain Hotel. He avoided recording for most of his career, but he released the solo piano album New Orleans Piano Professor for Rounder in 1983. A live recording by Washington, Live at Tipitina's '78, was released by Night Train International Records in 1998.

Washington is featured, along with Professor Longhair and Allen Toussaint, in the 1982 documentary film, Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together.

Washington died on August 5, 1984, after having a heart attack while performing at the World's Fair in New Orleans.

Birth and Death Data: Born (New Orleans (largest city of the state of Louisiana, United States)), Died August 5, 1984 (New Orleans (largest city of the state of Louisiana, United States) )

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1951 - 1957

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Imperial IM-274 10-in. April, 1951 Bee's boogie Smiley Lewis instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-276 10-in. April, 1951 My baby was right Smiley Lewis instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-659 10-in. 12/31/1953 Joe the grinder The Hawks instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-660 10-in. December, 1953 It ain't that way The Hawks instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-661 10-in. December, 1953 Candy girl The Hawks instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-662 10-in. December, 1953 I-yi The Hawks instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-707 10-in. 4/13/1954 Good news The Hawks instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-708 10-in. 4/13/1954 She's all right The Hawks instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-730 10-in. 6/14/1954 Give it up The Hawks instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-731 10-in. 6/14/1954 Nobody but you The Hawks instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-732 10-in. 6/14/1954 All women are the same The Hawks instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-733 10-in. 6/14/1954 That's what you are The Hawks instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-1347 10-in. 5/20/1957 Go on fool Dave Bartholomew Orchestra ; Smiley Lewis instrumentalist, piano  
Imperial IM-1349 10-in. 5/20/1957 Goin' to jump and shout Smiley Lewis instrumentalist, piano  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Washington, Isidore "Tuts"," accessed January 4, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/400636.

Washington, Isidore "Tuts". (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/400636.

"Washington, Isidore "Tuts"." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 4 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/400636

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