Louisiana's Gift to America: A Musical Legacy

Louisiana’s Gift to America: A Musical Legacy Celebrates the State’s Lasting Influence on American Music. Free admission.
About this Event

Louisiana’s rich and diverse musical traditions will take center stage in Louisiana’s Gift to America: A Musical Legacy, a live performance and public humanities program celebrating the artists, communities, traditions, and cultural history that have helped shape the sound of America.

Louisiana’s gift to America is its music. From Cajun and zydeco to jazz, swamp blues, and beyond, the sounds born and nurtured in Louisiana have helped define the nation’s musical and cultural identity and inspired generations of musicians. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, Louisiana’s Gift to America will bring this remarkable legacy to the stage through a dynamic, multidisciplinary program honoring Louisiana’s foundational contributions to American music and exploring its lasting impact.

“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.”

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 program will bring together three distinctive Louisiana artists and musical forces:

• BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet — Led by founder Michael Doucet, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities’ 2026 Humanist of the Year, 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 also an NEA National Heritage Fellow.

• The Dr. Michael White Quartet — Led by renowned New Orleans jazz musician, historian, and educator Dr. Michael White, the quartet carries forward the enduring tradition of New Orleans jazz. A Grammy-nominated artist and 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellow, White is widely 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, A.J. Haynes brings a contemporary perspective to Louisiana’s musical legacy. Her work draws from soul, rock, gospel, folk, and other influences, combining powerful storytelling with a community-centered approach to performance.

The evening will be hosted by writer, folklorist, and cultural historian Ben Sandmel, with performances interwoven with historical interpretation and conversations with the artists exploring the roots, evolution, and influence of Louisiana’s musical traditions.

A Musical Legacy Rooted in History

The program will take place at the historic Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, home of the legendary Louisiana Hayride. The auditorium played an important role in the careers of some of America’s most influential performers, including Elvis Presley, who launched his career there. Its place in American music history makes it a fitting setting for a program examining Louisiana’s enduring contributions to the nation’s musical story.

Louisiana’s Gift to America will extend beyond the live performance through recording, livestreaming, potential statewide broadcast, archival preservation, and community screenings, creating a lasting cultural resource for the public, educators, researchers, and cultural organizations. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, the program highlights Louisiana’s music as an essential part of the American historical record—preserving stories of migration, resilience, cultural exchange, innovation, and community while documenting a musical legacy whose influence continues to resonate across the nation and around the world.