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[The Lost Bayou Ramblers performed a number of tributes to the Hackberry Ramblers including one at this year’s Jazz Fest. These turned out to be the last gigs for the Hackberry Ramblers’ fiddle player, Luderin Darbone, who passed away November 21 in Sulphur, Louisiana. The Lost Bayou Ramblers’ drummer Chris Courville remembers those dates.]
At Jazz Fest, Louis [Michot, of the Lost Bayou Ramblers] arrived early to plan the show with him and was surprised by his sharpness and eagerness to perform. “He really took the initiative to talk,” Louis said. “When I asked him about some song, he would immediately say, ‘Oh yeah, this is how it happened’ and go right into the story. Despite his physical limitations at 95 years old, he really wanted to be there and be present for the whole performance.”
Whatever discomfort he felt seemed to melt away once he was on the stage. Before meeting him, the plan was to have him play a song or so, talk a bit, and we’d finish it off. Luderin wasn’t having that, though. He wanted to be there for the whole thing and boy, was he present. “He was sharper than a lot of 40 year olds I know,” Louis said.
He stepped in at Festival International to lead the show and knew how to delight a crowd. He told a story about bringing a PA system that he purchased from the Sears and Roebuck catalogue to a gig for the first time, and he had to run it off of his Model T because the club didn’t have electricity. His playing was great. As bassist Alan Lafleur said, “Not all the notes were coming out of his fingers while he played, but you could hear the whole story.” Luderin hadn’t sung in years, but he sang entire songs at those dates.
Luderin Darbone showed up to these gigs and meant every single moment of them. His spirit and vigor were absolutely inspirational, and his kindness and good-natured demeanor made both performances memorable for all in attendance. We were honored to back up such a talented and kind soul, and this world is a more blessed place for having experienced the life and music of Mr. Luderin Darbone.
