born Jan.1, 1884 Oscar Papa Celestin My Josephine

Oscar “Papa“ Celestin (January 1, 1884 in Napoleonville, Louisiana – December 15, 1954) was an American jazz bandleader, trumpeter, cornetist and vocalist. Celestin was born in Napoleonville, Louisiana, to a Creole family, son of a sugar-cane cutter. In his youth he worked on rural Louisiana plantations. Eager for a better life, he worked as a cook for the Texas & Pacific Railroad, saved up money and bought used musical instruments. He played guitar and trombone before deciding on cornet as his main instrum