Pianist Billie Pierce and cornetist De De Pierce made a charming and musical duo ever since they were married in 1935. Billie was a fine barrelhouse pianist and blues singer, while De De played basic but effective cornet and was also a passionate vocalist. Although Billie (who had worked previously with Buddy Petit and George Lewis) and De De recorded an album for Center in 1953, both of the Pierces were somewhat obscure into the early '60s. De De went blind in the '50s and retired for a time, but by 1959, he was back in action as the Pierces recorded for Folklyric. Further sessions for Jazzology, Riverside, and American Music (the latter released posthumously in 1996) featured the Pierces at their best. They were also involved in the early Preservation Hall Jazz Band, recording for Atlantic (a 1962 date with George Lewis), the Preservation Hall label and Rarities. ~ Scott Yanow