The Sounds of Louisiana

Book excerpt: "Here in Louisiana, we make music. When I say we make music, I mean that we don't just play music--we invent it, too. We take the raw materials of music--of sound--and make something new with it." --From the introduction Music writer and cultural historian Roger Hahn provides an intimate glimpse into a music genesis and legacy that has spread across the globe. From creating new categories of music like jazz and zydeco to adding new sounds to older genres like rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll, funk, and hip-hop, Louisiana has put her stamp on them all. With an introduction that includes an impressive overview of the state's contribution to America's music history, Hahn launches into biographies of twenty musicians and musical groups who have shaped--and are shaping--the face of our musical landscape. Included are well-known figures like Louis Armstrong, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, The Boswell Sisters, Mahalia Jackson, Harry Connick, Jr., Li'l Wayne, and Hunter Hayes. Right beside them are lesser-known but no less significant or influential figures, including Jelly Roll Morton, Clifton Chenier, Steve Riley & The Mamou Players, Trombone Shorty, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Buddy Guy. The biographies present a small capsule of the artists' cultural inheritance, influence, and accomplishments. A full-color portrait by Louisiana artist Chris Osborne accompanies each profile in this testament to Louisiana's musical legacy.