Wardell Joseph Quezergue, born on March 12, 1930, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a renowned American composer, arranger, record producer, and bandleader. Known as the "Creole Beethoven" among New Orleans musicians, Quezergue was a pivotal figure in shaping the sound of New Orleans rhythm and blues, funk, and pop music. He was active in the music industry from the 1940s until his death on September 6, 2011.

Quezergue was born into a musical family in the Seventh Ward of New Orleans. His father, Sidney Quezergue Sr., played guitar, and his mother, Violetta Guimont, played clarinet. His brothers, Sidney Jr. and Leo, were also jazz musicians. Despite having no formal music training, Quezergue was influenced by Louis Armstrong, Harry James, and Dizzy Gillespie, and began playing the trumpet professionally as a teenager.

In the late 1940s, Quezergue played in Dave Bartholomew's band. He served as an army musician during the Korean War, which he credited for his professional education. After returning to New Orleans, he studied at the Gateway School of Music and emerged as a bandleader with the Royal Dukes of Rhythm and later with Wardell and the Sultans. He was also a lifelong member of the New Orleans Negro Musicians Union.

Quezergue was a first-choice arranger for Crescent City recording sessions, working with artists like Rufus Thomas, the Pointer Sisters, and Paul Simon. His notable works include arrangements for "Iko Iko" and "Chapel of Love" by the Dixie Cups, "Barefootin’" by Robert Parker, "Trick Bag" by Earl King, "Big Chief" by Professor Longhair, "Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight, and "Groove Me" by King Floyd. He also contributed to Dr. John's Grammy-winning album "Going Back to New Orleans" and Paul Simon's "There Goes Rhymin' Simon."

Quezergue co-founded Nola Records in 1962 and co-wrote Smokey Johnson's "It Ain't My Fault," a New Orleans funk standard. He was instrumental in the production of big-band albums by Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and worked with artists like Willie Nelson, the Supremes, B.B. King, and the Staple Singers. His contributions to music earned him an honorary doctorate in music, and he remained a vital part of the New Orleans music scene throughout his life.