Louisiana music for children

Snap Bean Reviewed in Midwest Book Review Bookwatch!

My upcoming children’s album “My Little Snap Bean, Zydeco for Children” with Nathan Williams & The Zydeco Cha Chas received a rave review in Midwest Book Review’s Bookwatch, as follows:

Multi award-winning New Orleans children's musician Johnette Downing and Grammy nominees Nathan Williams & The Zydeco Cha Chas present My Little Snap Bean: Zydeco for Children, an upbeat album that introduces the zydeco music genre to young listeners. Zydeco was originally created in rural Southwest Louisiana by French-speaking African-Americans of Creole heritage; the zydeco genre is known for its blend of rhythm & blues with types of Creole music such as la la and jure. Zydeco is especially known for its use of the accordion and the rubberboard (as a percussion instrument). My Little Snap Bean: Zydeco for Children features twelve lively songs; three are adaptations of Johnette Downing's "singable books"; others include adaptations of traditional Creole motifs and children's songs. Several songs feature lyrics in Cajun French and Southwest Louisiana Creole, in this delightful cultural celebration. Highly recommended! The tracks are My Parrain is the Loup Garou; Going to the La La; Jure; My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane; The Fifolet; Hitch Up My Pony; Ready or Not; Pass It On; Eh La Bas; Loop de Loop; Give Me That Zydeco; and My Little Snap Bean. 39 min.Midwest Book Review March 2026, Bookwatch, The Music CD Shelf

Thank you Bookwatch!

Free Family Friendly Friday in the French Market Concert Series

Skip on down to the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park the first Friday of each month for my Free Family Friendly Friday in the French Market Concert Series at 11:00. Upcoming dates are:

March 6

April 3

May 1

June 5

July 3

No August (too hot)

September 4

October 2

November 6

December 4

See you there!

2026 Children's Concert Series Moves to Fridays!

My free concert series at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Visitor’s Center is moving back to the first Friday of each month in 2026!! Mark your calendars!

Children's Concert Series at New Orleans Jazz Park Visitor's Center Continues

I will be closing out the year of concert series and the New Orleans Jazz Park on December 4 at 11:00, and starting a new season on Friday, January 3rd! We will be back to our Friday dates each month which makes it easier for school field trips and families! Let’s do this!

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Concert Series 2025!

My free concert series for children at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park continues into 2025 on the first Thursday of each month (except August) from 11:00-11:45 AM. This year’s dates are January 2, February 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, September 4, October 2, November 6, and December 4.

I hope you will join me for this culturally immersive program about the diverse Louisiana traditions, customs, and cuisine told through toe-tapping tunes influenced by the rich roots music genres of the Bayou State.

French Quarter Festival Performance!

Dance on over to the French Quarter Festival on Sunday, April 14, 2024 from 1:30-2:30, and join me for a Crescent City concert for children at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park at the 419 Decatur St location in the beautiful courtyard with plenty of dancing room for the whole family. Free!

WTUL Radio Kids Show 91.5FM

Tune to the WTUL Kids Show on WTUL 91.5 FM on Saturday, April 13 beginning at 9:00 AM where I will be an on-air guest singing some of my songs, reading some of my books and chatting with awesome DJ LizzE for the WTUL Marathon!


https://www.wtulneworleans.com/stream-wtul