Fine art photo of DeeDee Pierce at the Preservation Music Hall. Of the Brass Band players, DeeDee Pierce could blow a trumpet like no other. Naturally, there have been more famous solo trumpet players, but Pierce was band member and liked the ability to play 'by ear' with his fellow musicians. There was a certain energy that came out of these jam sessions. The Preservation Hall Band is one of New Orleans famous and most respected bands that still exist today. DeeDee was born in New Orleans on February 18, 1904 and was named Joseph de La Croix Pierce. He was a French speaking his entire life. There was no need to learn English when you had music, which was an international language of its own. DeeDee began his career in 1920 playing with the D'Jalma Garnier Brass Band, he was only sixteen years old. The band was famous for playing at New Orleans funerals of the prominent and wealthy. DeeDee fell in love with Billie (Wilhemina Goodson), who was an outstanding pianist. They married in 1935 and made incredible music together. Sadly, in the 1950s he went blind. The doctors told him of a special operation that could be performed to save his sight, but for some reason DeeDee did not sign up for the procedure. However, that did not stop him from playing his beloved trumpet. In 1959 he came out of retirement to record on Folklyric, Jassology and Riverside labels. Leaving a wonderful recorded legacy of his talent. The New York Times of January 10, 2012, has an interesting article on what the Preservation Hall Jazz band is doing to survive.