Moss Point's African American community produced many accomplished musicians who performed along the Gulf Coast, across the country, and overseas with prominent bands and musical troupes. Among them were Charles Fairley, who played with Otis Redding, Guitar Slim, and many others, as well as Charles Polk, Clyde Needham, Carlton Reese, Henry Dees, Otis Carter, and the Nelson brothers, Romie, Lamar, and Elijah. Moss Point was a center of African American music even before the city was incorporated in 1901, with local bands reported in 1898 and the city's Earl band praised in 1903. Early musicians from Moss Point gained national notice in minstrel shows, including saxophonist O.J. "Boss" Tatum, who toured with the Huntington Minstrels and led the Blue Melody Boys before returning home to open a grocery store, and the Nelson brothers, who traveled with the Florida Blossoms and other troupes while also performing at dances in Mississippi. Lamar Nelson played tuba, Elijah Nelson played trombone, and their act featured a number called "Triple Tongue Blues," while cornetist Romie Nelson worked with the Silas Green From New Orleans show before later becoming a barber and leading the Blue Skies of Rhythm band in Laurel, where Elijah also directed a band and taught music. Charles Fairley, a saxophonist born in 1932, was among many musicians who began in the Magnolia High School Monarchs band, joining while still in elementary school, then playing local clubs with Henry Dees and Willie Jenkins before working with bands in New Orleans and Mississippi, touring with Otis Redding, recording with Joe Tex, Eddie Bo, Wayne Sharp, Sea Level, and others, and appearing on the coast with groups including the Pat Murphy Band, Charlie V and the Personalities, the Nite Riders, and the Band of Gold. Another Magnolia graduate, Charles Polk, played drums in Bobby "Blue" Bland's orchestra in the 1970s and recorded with Tompall Glaser and his Outlaw Band. Saxophonist Carlton Reese served as band director and football coach, mentoring Verlon Biggs, and Reese also operated the Kickoff Club in Moss Point with Biggs. Other former Monarchs included Clyde Needham of the Double-O Soul Band and Reuben Betts. Otis Carter played trumpet locally and directed the band at Moss Point High School after Magnolia closed in 1970. J.B. Davis, raised in Moss Point, was at one time a Bourbon Street regular and recorded Walking to New Orleans in 1999. Among older Moss Point blues musicians remembered by Charles Fairley were guitarists Peter Perry and Papa John Sellers. Black fraternal organizations and local venues provided important stages for blues, jazz, and R and B in Moss Point, including the Knights of Pythias park, the Magnolia Elks, Club 15, Solomon's Place, My Place, the Kickoff Club, nightspots on Frederick Street, the Miss-Ala Club, and events such as RiverFest, Rockin' the Riverfront, and Blues on the River.