Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker

Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker is a documentary that examines the life and career of New Orleans pianist James Booker. The film contrasts Booker's musical brilliance and flamboyant stage presence with a private existence marked by social prejudice, isolation, and personal hardship. To build this portrait of an undervalued artist, the production utilizes exclusive interviews, rare photographs, and previously unreleased footage of his concerts.

Directed by Lily Keber, who also served as a producer and co-writer alongside Tim Watson and Aimée Toledano, the film was produced by Mairzy Doats Productions in the United States. The cast features archival appearances by James Booker and Dr. John, supplemented by interviews with Hugh Laurie, Harry Connick Jr., Charles Neville, and Douglas Brinkley. Released in March 2013 with a runtime of 90 minutes, the movie has a positive reception among viewers, holding a rating of 7.7/10 on IMDb based on 215 votes.