Don Vappie is a world renowned jazz musician and bandleader from New Orleans. He leads the Creole Jazz Serenaders, a classic New Orleans jazz orchestra, as well as his various jazz and R&B combos. He has produced and recorded numerous albums and film soundtracks, and is star of the PBS documentary "American Créole: New Orleans Reunion." Known for his virtuosic banjo skills, Don is also a stellar bassist, guitarist and vocalist. Add to that his commitment to the preservation and perpetuation of the cultural créole music of New Orleans he calls "créole jazz."
Vappie’s most recent album, “The Bluebook of Storyville” was named 2020 Album of the Year by The Times London. He was also awarded the 2021 Steve Martin Banjo Prize, and was inducted into the Banjo Hall of Fame in 2022.
Tonight, he presents his Jazz Créole quartet, featuring:
Don Vappie - banjo, guitar, vocals
Clarnence Johnson III - reeds (clarinet, saxophone)
Mike Esnault - piano
Richard Moten - bass