Friends of the Cabildo, the independent non-profit organization created to support and preserve the famous Louisiana State Museum, is holding its 2019-2020 FOC Concert Series from September through April.

First, to kick off the series, Leroy Jones, the famed jazz trumpeter, will play on Sept. 20. Jones’ 2016 album, I’m Talkin’ Bout New Orleans, revealed some modernist leanings in the traditional trumpeter’s oeuvre. Others have found inspiration in Jones as well. The recent Cameron Washington-directed documentary, A Man And His Trumpet: The Leroy Jones Story, which tells the story of Jones’ journey to success, won the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Award for Documentary Film in 2019.

Then, on November 22, the concert series will resume with a performance by Tommy McClain & CC Adcock Swamp Pop Songbook.

A special 101st Prof. Longhair Birthday Concert will take place on Dec. 19 with John “Papa” Gros performing. Recently, the funk and R&B keyboardist, singer and songwriter, Gros performed with the Iko All-Stars in August in commemoration of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. No less influential than the leader of the dead heads, Professor Longhair may set a daunting bar for any middling musician, but with the skill of John “Papa” Gros, Professor Longhair’s work is in capable hands.

Following up the 101st Birthday Concert, The Iguanas, a local band infused with the sounds of latin and jazz, will perform on January 31. The band has been performing for over 25 years, consistently playing at Jazz Fest and local bars, such as the Circle Bar on St. Charles Ave. Though it’s been a while since the band’s 2014 album, Juarez, The Iguanas still have a relentless work ethic.

On March 27, Sonny Landreth, a famous blues guitarist from Lafayette, LA, will showcase his unique hybrid of slide and finger-style guitar. In 2016, Landreth sat down for an interview with John Wirt from OffBeat, where the two talked about the intricacies of guitar playing and the Louisiana legend Clifton Chenier. 

To close out the 2019-2020 concert season, the four-time Grammy-nominated fiddler, singer, accordionist and songwriter Cedric Watson will perform on April 17. 

Tickets for each event are $25 for general admission and $20 for Friends of the Cabildo members. Only 150 seats are available for each show. For more information on how to purchase tickets, visit the Friends of the Cabildo website, here.