New Orleans Novel Honors French Quarter Icons

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(Free-Press-Release.com) June 29, 2009 -- Ruth Moulon, known as Ruthie the Duck Girl in the French Quarter of New Orleans, and Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen appear briefly in Robert Smallwood's debut novel, "Jackson Squared," and Smallwood has dedicated the book to them. "They represent the charm and intrigue of Jackson Square," Smallwood said. "It always has been a special place where you can see a free show every day. Music, jugglers, magicians, tarot readers -- all sorts."

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New Orleans Novel Honors French Quarter Icons

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Ruthie the Duck Girl passed away earlier this year. She was given that moniker because she always had a duck or two or three she took care of and they followed her around the French Quarter from bar to bar. Her secret was reportedly that she kept kernals of corn in her skirt.

Tuba Fats was a giant of a man who played his dented old tuba almost daily with a a makeshift traditional jazz band to the throngs passing through Jackson Square. He passed away in early 2004.

"I met Ruthie only once," Smallwood said, "and I bought her a beer. But I used to talk with Tuba Fats almost every day. We were neighbors in the French Quarter."

Lacen, known as Tuba Fats, had one of the grandest jazz funerals ever held in New Orleans proceeded from Gallier Hall through the streets of the French Quarter. Smallwood was one of the last men to help hoist Lacen's casket from the horse-drawn carriage into a hearse to be taken to his final resting place.

Lacen played professionally with brass bands such as the Young Tuxedo, E. Gibson, Doc Paulin, Onward, Algiers, Treme, and Olympia Brass Bands, and with his own band, Tuba Fats & the Chosen Few Brass Band. Tuba Fats made many important jazz recordings; notably those under his own name on the Jazz Crusade label. Tuba Fats was married to the late blues shouter Linda Young with whom he often toured in Europe.

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French quarter     murder mystery     new orleans     novel     Robert Smallwood     Ruthie Duck Girl     Tuba Fats