Alfred “Uganda” Roberts, born March 8, 1943, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a master percussionist and conga player whose work enriched the city’s funk and R&B scenes. Raised in the Tremé neighborhood, Roberts grew up in a community vibrant with second-line parades and Mardi Gras Indian traditions. His father was a drummer in local bands, and Roberts began playing percussion at age 10, using homemade drums crafted from tin cans. He was influenced by the rhythms of New Orleans’ street parades and Afro-Cuban music, which he heard on local radio.
Roberts entered the music scene in his teens, playing in school bands and local second-line parades. His professional break came in the 1960s when he joined Willie Tee’s band, the Gaturs, playing congas on funk classics like “Cold Bear.” His innovative use of Afro-Cuban rhythms in R&B caught the attention of Allen Toussaint, who hired him for sessions at Sea-Saint Studios. Roberts became a go-to percussionist, recording with artists like Dr. John, Professor Longhair, and the Meters.
His breakthrough came with his work on Dr. John’s In the Right Place (1973), where his conga playing added a distinctive groove to hits like “Right Place, Wrong Time.” Roberts’ ability to blend New Orleans’ syncopated rhythms with Latin influences made him a sought-after session musician. He also performed with the Wild Magnolias, integrating Mardi Gras Indian chants into funk. Roberts remained active in New Orleans’ music scene, performing at festivals until his death on March 12, 2020.
