Big Chief Romeo, Dawn Richard, Eric Heigle Update "Big Chief"

When Mardi Gras Records’ Warren Hildebrand wanted to update Professor Longhair’s “Big Chief,” he turned to producer and musician Eric Heigle. Heigle has worked in the musical space where tradition meets the modern world, whether as a member of Lost Bayou Ramblers or the producer of The 79rs Gang’s Expect the Unexpected.

Today, Mardi Gras Records released the new version of 1965 Carnival anthem “Big Chief” under the title, “I’m Feeling Good (Big Chief Remix).” For the occasion, Heigle brought in Big Chief Romeo Bougere of The 9th Ward Hunters (and half of the 79rs Gang) and singer Dawn Richard, former member of the vocal group Danity Kane and daughter of Frank Richard, the lead singer of the New Orleans funk band Chocolate Milk.

“The original ‘Big Chief’ recording is pure magic,” Heigle said in a press release. “I knew if I was going to even dare touch it, it had to be with collaborators who shared that opinion and were willing to try and take it somewhere new.”

Part of the challenge he faced was that Hildebrand had the rights to use the song, but not the original master tapes. Heigle had to use AI similar to the way filmmaker Peter Jackson did when he made The Beatles’ documentary Get Back to separate instruments including Earl King’s vocal. That allowed him to fit some of the parts from the original version including at different points the drums, some horn stabs, King’s voice, and Longhair’s piano next to contemporary musicians adding parts to make the song make sense in 2025.

“I’m Feeling Good (Big Chief Remix) [feat. Dawn Richard]” by Big Chief Romeo Bougere is now available on all the streaming services.

Big Chief Romeo Bougere will perform at Jazz Fest at 12:25 p.m. on Sunday, May 4 on the Jazz & Heritage Stage with Big Chief Jermaine Bossier and The 79rs Gang.