Cousin Joe

• Name — Cousin Joe • Birth Name — Pleasant Joseph • Born — 20 December 1907 • Birthplace — Wallace, Louisiana, United States • Died — 2 October 1989 • Place of death — New Orleans, Louisiana, United States • Instrument — Piano, vocal • Genre — Blues • Occupation — Pianist, singer • Years Active — Late 1930s – late 1980s • Label — Philo, Savoy, Gotham, De Luxe, Signature, Decca, Imperial, Flip

He was born in Wallace, Louisiana, United States, and worked at Whitney Plantation throughout his childhood. Until 1945, Cousin Joe toured Louisiana; that year he was asked to take part in the King Jazz recording sessions organized by Mezzrow and Bechet. In the 1970s, Cousin Joe toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, both individually and as part of the American Blues Legends '74 revue organised by Big Bear Music. He also recorded the albums Gospel-Wailing, Jazz-Playing, Rock'n'Rolling, Soul-Shouting, Tap-Dancing Bluesman From New Orleans for Big Bear. Cousin Joe died in his sleep from natural causes in New Orleans, at the age of 81. He was survived by his wife Irene Joseph, son Michael and his three grandchildren Rahsaan, Mignonne and Jarrell.

• Cousin Joe: Blues from New Orleans / Pleasant "Cousin Joe" Joseph and Harriet J. Ottenheimer. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987. xi, 227 p.: ill.; 23 cm.

• 2005: DVD The Blues of Cousin Joe (live - 29 August 1984 in New Orleans) (Storyville Films)