Musicians

Louisiana gave America its only indigenous art form — jazz. You know a place is inspiring when it can lay claim to producing music legends such as Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Buddy Bolden and Wynton Marsalis. But it doesn't stop at jazz here. Check out the zydeco and Cajun music to the west of New Orleans, with such names as BeauSoleil, Clifton Chenier, Terrance Simien and Boozoo Chavis. If you're into country music, you should know that none other than Hank Williams Sr. got his start on the Louisiana Hayride radio show in Shreveport. If you're a fan of gospel, surely you're familiar with New Orleans' own Mahalia Jackson. Many great names of the past are gone, but Louisiana continues to produce some of the finest musicians and most interesting music in the world today. Come hear what all the excitement is about!