Let me be clear. Al Hurricane rocks. He's the father—officially the Godfather—of a brand of New Mexican music that blends diffuse influences, intense intuition and massive chops into a formidable music expression that has become the stuff of legend as the years have passed. He's also the father of a cohort of talented children, including son Al Jr.—who's worked as his primary collaborator, arranger and producer since the late 1970s.

You’ve probably heard of Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five. But did you know that before Satchmo even came to New Orleans, The Hot Five was Lil Hardin’s (soon to be Lil Hardin Armstrong) band?