Published: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 3:00
by Maria C. Montoya, The Times-Picayune
This week in Lagniappe meet Carl Le Blanc.
WHO HE IS: The banjo and guitar player toured for several years with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and currently works with the students of the Preservation Hall Junior Jazz & Heritage Brass Band.
WHY YOU'VE HEARD OF HIM: Over the years, Le Blanc played with Sun Ra, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Bo Diddley and Ellis Marsalis.
WHAT'S HE UP TO: Le Blanc is directing the Junior Preservation Hall Band and working on his first inspirational/spiritual recording. He said fans can expect a little something different from him. Surprise guests on the CD include the Yellow Pocahontas Mardi Gras Indians.
WHERE TO SEE HIM: On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Le Blanc will lead the Preservation Hall Junior Jazz & Heritage Brass Band at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art's free family fun day in celebration of Preservation Hall's 50th anniversary and Ogden's current exhibit "Art & Jazz: Preservation Hall at 50." Visit www.ogdenmuseum.org for more information.
Q: How long you been working with the junior band program?
A: A little over eight months. We've been working on getting the kids together. In New Orleans, it's hard to keep up with the kids because of their musical commitments at school, too.
Q: What's the best part about working with them?
A: Just the music, passing on to them the traditional music of New Orleans. To see them play the songs from the 1920s -- "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?" and "Sunny Side of the Street" -- that's cool.
Q: Were you a part of the 50th anniversary celebration?
A: I haven't been touring with the group, but I was at the event and it was like a huge family reunion. Such a wonderful celebration.
Q: Will we see any of the junior members at the Hall one day?
A: Oh, yeah. Some of them have already played there. Many of them go to NOCCA and are very talented. The goal of the program is all about preparing the next generation of musicians.
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