Louisiana Crossroads presents Tribute to Little Walter

The Louisiana Crossroads series continues as The City of Lake Charles presents “A Tribute to Louisiana’s Little Walter, Featuring James Cotton with Henry Gray”. The man who invented amplified Blues harmonica, was a French speaking Creole from Marksville, Louisiana. Little Walter Jacobs revolutionized his instrument and changed the musical landscape forever. James Cotton, who began his own recording career at Sun Records in 1953, is Little Walter’s peer in every sense. He replaced Walter on harmonica in Muddy Waters’ Chicago-based band when Walter went out on his own. When they inducted Little Walter to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame, James Cotton got the call to pay tribute, as he will do for us here on Wednesday, March 7 at 7:00 PM. at Central School Arts and Humanities Center Theater, 809 Kirby Street. This show will feature Louisiana pianist and National Heritage Fellow Henry Gray, a major blues artist in his own right, who also played with Little Walter back in the day. Henry will treat us to timeless music and stories that only he can tell. A few special surprises are in store as well. The concert will be broadcast live via 100,000-watt regional National Public Radio affiliate KRVS, simultaneously streaming audio worldwide via krvs.org. Advance tickets are $10 on line at www.louisianacrossroads.org, or at the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana on the second floor of Central School. Tickets at the door are $12.

The Louisiana Crossroads 12^th season in the Central School Theatre will wrap up with De Temps Antan, Cedric Watson, Anna Laura Edmiston and David Greely—Exploring Quebecois, Acadian and Cajun/Creole Connections, April 11, 2012.

For more information, please call (337) 491-9147 or visit the department of cultural affairs at www.cityoflakecharles.com.