Louisiana’s rich musical traditions will take center stage Sept. 18 as Louisiana’s Gift to America: A Musical Legacy brings together three prominent Louisiana artists for a live performance and public humanities program at the historic Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.
The program will celebrate the artists, communities, traditions and cultural history that have helped shape the sound of America. The event is being presented in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Louisiana’s musical influence spans genres including Cajun and zydeco, jazz and swamp blues. The program will explore how sounds developed and nurtured in Louisiana have influenced generations of musicians and helped shape the nation’s musical and cultural identity.
“When you hear Louisiana music, you’re hearing more than a song. You’re hearing generations of people, cultures, and traditions coming together. That’s what makes our music so powerful,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “From the streets of New Orleans and the dance halls of Acadiana to the stages of Shreveport, our music has helped shape the soundtrack of America. The sounds created here have crossed every border and influenced generations of musicians around the world. This celebration is about honoring the artists and communities who created that legacy and making sure we continue to share their stories with generations to come.”
The event is presented by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Division of the Arts in partnership with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Shreveport Regional Arts Council and Louisiana Public Broadcasting.
The featured performers include BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, the Dr. Michael White Quartet and A.J. Haynes.
Led by founder Michael Doucet, BeauSoleil is a Grammy-winning Cajun band that has brought Louisiana’s Cajun and zydeco traditions and French cultural heritage to audiences around the world. Doucet is the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities’ 2026 Humanist of the Year and an NEA National Heritage Fellow.
The Dr. Michael White Quartet will represent the enduring tradition of New Orleans jazz. White, a renowned jazz musician, historian and educator, is a Grammy-nominated artist and a 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellow recognized for preserving, performing and sharing the history of New Orleans jazz.
A.J. Haynes, a Grammy-winning artist and lead vocalist of the Seratones, will bring a contemporary perspective to Louisiana’s musical legacy. Her work draws from soul, rock, gospel, folk and other influences, combining storytelling with a community-centered approach to performance.
Writer, folklorist and cultural historian Ben Sandmel will host the evening. Performances will be interwoven with historical interpretation and conversations with the artists about the roots, evolution and influence of Louisiana’s musical traditions.
The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, home of the legendary Louisiana Hayride, will serve as the setting for the program. The historic venue played an important role in the careers of influential performers, including Elvis Presley, and its place in American music history makes it a fitting location for an examination of Louisiana’s contributions to the nation’s musical story.
The project also is intended to create a lasting cultural resource beyond the live event. Plans include recording, livestreaming, potential statewide broadcast, archival preservation and community screenings. Organizers said those efforts will help preserve the stories of migration, resilience, cultural exchange, innovation and community associated with Louisiana’s musical heritage.
The program is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Louisiana America 250, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area and the City of Shreveport.
Louisiana’s Gift to America: A Musical Legacy is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, 705 Elvis Presley Ave. Admission is free, and advance registration is encouraged.
Reserve your free ticket by clicking here.
