August recalled, "My grandmother got me singing in the choir of the First Emmanuel Baptist Church.

"[2] His father, Joe August, Sr. wrote a regular local music column called "Here It Is" that was published in the Louisiana Weekly from May 1941 to March 1943.

The column also included sports and social news and occasional political commentary relating to New Orleans' African-American community.

[4] As a teenager August worked for local restaurateur Dooky Chase, who gave him the nickname "Mr. Google Eyes" for his habit of ogling attractive female customers.

After earning enough money to buy his own PA system, he began performing regularly at the local Downbeat Club, appearing with Roy Brown.

Although none of his records became national hits, he toured with Al Hibbler and appeared at the Birdland jazz club in New York City on bills headlined by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.

August released several records for Duke, but none were successful, and in 1955 he moved with Otis to Los Angeles.

"Everything Happens At Night" was unreleased at the time,[2] and eventually came out on a 2012 compilation of New Orleans R&B Mr Joe's Jambalaya & Loaded Down With the Blues from Charly Records.

[8] In the mid-1980s, Swedish R&B aficionado Jonas Bernholm contacted August after meeting him on a trip to New Orleans.

[1] At his jazz funeral, Mac Rebennack (Dr. John) said: "It is with great pride that we carry the message of the blues that you instilled in us as children.