Walter "Papoose" Nelson

Walter Charles Nelson Jr. (July 26, 1932 – February 28, 1962), known as Walter "Papoose" Nelson, was an American R&B guitarist, best known for playing with Fats Domino, and on many of his hit records.

Early life Papoose Nelson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in the Tremé neighborhood of the Sixth Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. Papoose and his brother Lawrence learned to play guitar from their father, who also taught music to Smiley Lewis and Henry Roeland Byrd. Longhair's regular gig at the Caldonia also included sidemen Eddie "Apeman" Black on saxophone, Clarence "Big Slick" Fritz on drums, and seventeen-year-old Papoose Nelson on guitar. New Orleans drummer Charles "Hungry" Williams remembered seeing Professor Longhair and his band that included Papoose Nelson at the Pepper Pot in Gretna, Louisiana. Playing in clubs with Longhair's band Nelson acquired a lifelong addiction to heroin. Dave Bartholomew remembered when recording Domino's "I'm Walkin'" that the guitar figure followed Fats' left hand. "Papoose was responsible for that arrangement", said Bartholomew. "I wanted something simpler but he said, 'No, let's put in a sixth note.' We did and that's what made 'I’m Walkin' so catchy."

In addition to playing on Professor Longhair recordings, Nelson worked as a studio guitarist for some of Dave Bartholomew's releases. His other studio work included Bartholomew's production of Smiley Lewis, T-Bone Walker, and Roosevelt Sykes' Imperial Records sides. He also played for pianist and producer Paul Gayten's Clarence "Frogman" Henry sessions for Chess Records.

In 1958 Nelson and the core of the Domino band led by saxophonist Herb Hardesty cut an album that remained unissued until 2012. Though mostly instrumentals, the recordings included two songs co-written and with vocals by Papoose, "It Must Be Wonderful" and "Why Did We Have To Part". Billboard Magazine on January 6, 1962, noted, “Little Bit Of Everything" was an "attractive bluesy theme sung by Walter Nelson in relaxed, showmany fashion." From 1959 through 1962 six singles from the session were released on the Federal, Mutual, and Paoli record labels. Nelson recorded his last session with Fats Domino in June 1959. Domino would later recall his band with Buddy Hagans, Billy Diamond, Cornelius "Tenoo" Coleman, Wendell Duconge, and Papoose Nelson as being his "best ever." Papoose would play jazz and blues licks, having Rebennack play straight chords behind him. "He would never let me take a solo. He got me disciplined to where I was just playin' chords for hours and hours. That had a great bearing on my music in general." He revived the Olympia Brass Band, which played in the traditional parade style. Nelson's was their first jazz funeral. The procession began at Alphonse Picou's Restaurant and Bar in Treme. Papoose's wife Earline Hall Nelson and their four children, his parents Walter, Sr. and Edna Nelson, brothers Lawrence, Warren, and four sisters attended the service. Fats Domino and his band were on the road and missed the funeral. Papoose is buried in Holt Cemetery in New Orleans.