Celebrating the Birthday of Clifton Chenier

Accordionist Clifton Chenier was born on June 25, 1925, in Leonville, Louisiana, and was known as the King of Zydeco, and also as the King of the South. A French-speaking native, he was an eminent performer and recording artist of zydeco, which arose from Cajun and Creole music, with R&B, jazz, and blues influences. Chenier began his recording career in 1954, and garnered his first national hit in 1955 with "Ay-Tete Fi" (Hey, Little Girl) (a cover of Professor Longhair's song). The national success of the release led to numerous tours with popular rhythm and blues performers such as Ray Charles, Etta James, and Lowell Fulson. Chenier is credited with redesigning the wood and crimped tin washboard into the vest frottoir, an instrument that would easily hang from the shoulders.

In 1976, Chenier reached a national audience when he appeared on the premiere season of the PBS music program Austin City Limits. Three years later in 1979 he returned to the show with his Red Hot Louisiana Band. Chenier's popularity peaked in the 1980s, and he and his band traveled throughout the world. Chenier was recognized with a Grammy Award in 1983 for his album I'm Here. He was only the second Louisiana Creole to win a Grammy, following Queen Ida. He was a recipient of a 1984 National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the United States government's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.

Sadly, Chenier died of diabetes-related kidney disease in December 12, 1987 in Lafayette, Louisiana. Since then, his son C. J. Chenier has carried on the zydeco tradition by touring with Chenier's band and recording albums. Today we celebrate the birthday and amazing legacy of a true Louisiana original!

UP FROM THE STREETS New Orleans: The City of Music

For New Orleanians, music is a way of life and the foundation of their cultural resilience. Eagle Rock Entertainment and Michael Murphy Productions, Inc. present Up From The Streets: New Orleans: The City of Music, a feature length documentary that showcases the culture of New Orleans through the lens of music. Hosted by Oscar nominee and six-time Grammy Winner Terence Blanchard, the film tells stories of music as a vehicle to help battle racial injustices, unite people in good times and bad, and how music continues to be a vital form of expression today. 

Once you purchase an “e-ticket” for $12, you will be sent a link & password to view the film at home. Your purchase supports one of 50 local movie theaters nationwide (available here), as well as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Jazz & Heritage Music Relief Fund, a statewide relief initiative that supports New Orleans and Louisiana musicians who have lost income due to the pandemic. The ticket order is good for 7 days, and viewers will have 72 hours to watch the film once they’ve started watching it.

Enjoy this engaging, award-winning documentary about the most unique U.S. city, New Orleans!

Get Down and GiveNOLA Virtual Concert on May 27th!

This YLC Wednesday at the Square: Get Down and Give NOLA digital concert will harness the power of music to unite our community behind a common cause – multiplying our impact by giving together. While we couldn't get together in-person this spring, we're excited to share that we'll be gathering virtually to celebrate what would have been an incredible season.

The musicians from this year's line-up, as well as several beloved alumni, are donating songs for you to enjoy at our Get Down and Give NOLA virtual concert. They're eager to share their messages with you on what it means to be proud to call New Orleans home. Watch live at 5pm NOLA time, 3pm L.A. time, on May 27 on the YLC Wednesday at the Square Facebook page or on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSUa-GMXJUx693u1COdNXbg).

Enjoy performances by: Alexis & the Samurai, Amanda Shaw, Anders Osborne, Andrew Duhon, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Daria + The Hip Drops, Dave Jordan + Rurik Nunan, Erica Falls, Flow Tribe, Galactic, Kermit Ruffins, Little Freddie King, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Marc Broussard, Margie Perez, Marcia Ball, N.O.B.A.B.E, New Orleans Johnnys, The Quickening, The Revivalists, Robin Barnes, and Shamarr Allen.

Young Leadership Council, in partnership with AOS Interior Environments and the Greater New Orleans Foundation, is hosting this event. 2020 was the fifteenth-anniversary season for YLC Wednesday at the Square. Please consider donating $15 to help support our 2021 season and YLC’s nine community-service projects. GiveNOLA Day is Tuesday, June 2, and you can pre-schedule your gift online today at https://www.givenola.org/young-leadership-council

Boogaloo In Place! Enjoy Classic Bayou Boogaloo Performances this weekend!

Bayou Boogaloo is an annual springtime favorite celebrating community, art, music and culture along the banks of Mid-City’s beloved Bayou St. John. This year it’s been postponed, and while we’re bummed we can't be out on the bayou this weekend, that doesn't mean we can't Boogaloo In Place! Join the festivities on Facebook this Friday-Sunday for LIVE stream videos of some classic Boogaloo performances for 2016! 

Friday, May 15th - 6:15 to 9:15pm Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers * The Wailers

Saturday, May 16th - 12:15 to 9:15pm Creole String Beans * Lost Bayou Ramblers * Irma Thomas * Lowrider Band

Sunday, May 17th - 2:20 to 8:30pm Billy Iuso & Restless Natives * George Porter, Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners * TBD

*All times listed are for New Orleans, CDT!

UP FROM THE STREETS New Orleans: The City of Music - Virtual Release May 15th

For New Orleanians, music is a way of life and the foundation of their cultural resilience. Eagle Rock Entertainment and Michael Murphy Productions, Inc. present Up From The Streets: New Orleans: The City of Music, a feature length documentary that showcases the culture of New Orleans thru the lens of music. Hosted by Oscar nominee and six-time Grammy Winner Terence Blanchard, the film tells stories of music as a vehicle to help battle racial injustices, unite people in good times and bad, and how music continues to be a vital form of expression today. 

Beginning May 15, you will be able to buy a ticket to a virtual cinema release of Up From The Streets ®: New Orleans: The City of Music, the celebrated New Orleans documentary. Viewers will buy a $12 ticket from a local cinema and watch the film at home, allowing them to support one of 50 local movie theaters nationwide (available here), as well as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Jazz & Heritage Music Relief Fund, a statewide relief initiative that supports New Orleans and Louisiana musicians who have lost income due to the pandemic.The ticket order is good for 7 days, and viewers will have 72 hours to watch the film once they’ve started watching it.

Enjoy this engaging, award-winning documentary about the most unique U.S. city, New Orleans!

Celebrating the Birthday of King Oliver!

Jazz cornet player and bandleader Joseph Nathan "King" Oliver was born on May 11, 1885, in Aben, Louisiana, and moved to New Orleans in his youth.  He was particularly recognized for his playing style and his pioneering use of mutes in jazz to alter the sound of his horn. Also a notable composer, he wrote many tunes still played today, including "Dippermouth Blues", "Sweet Like This", "Canal Street Blues", and "Doctor Jazz". He was the mentor and teacher of Louis Armstrong, who said his influence was such that "if it had not been for Joe Oliver, Jazz would not be what it is today." Sadly, Oliver suffered from ill health and financial troubles before his death at age 52 on April 8, 1938. Today we celebrate King Oliver’s significant influence on the music of New Orleans and the world.