Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1983-04-17

Duration: 00:26:26

Subjects: Music | Blues (music) | JAZZ | Cajun music | Gray, Henry, 1925- | Hogan, Silas | BATISTE, ALVIN | Daigrepont, Bruce | Smith, Moses, 1932-1984

Contributors:

• Hinton, Rob Host
• Stewart, Genevieve Host
• Gray, Henry Performer
• Hogan, Silas Performer
• Batiste, Alvin Interviewee
• Daigrepont, Bruce Performer
• Daigrepont, Albert Performer
• Smith, Whisperin' Performer

This episode of the series “Folks” from April 17, 1983, focuses on Louisiana music, including the blues and jazz. Rob Hinton and Genevieve Stewart first introduce in-studio performances by blues pianist Henry Gray and blues guitarist Silas Hogan, two of the performers at the upcoming Baton Rouge Blues Festival. Stewart then interviews Alvin Batiste, the director of the Jazz Institute at Southern University in Baton Rouge. He discusses the future of blues music in Louisiana, the differences between blues and jazz, the African roots of jazz, and the future of jazz. He also plays some examples of the music on the piano. Stewart then introduces a performance by Cajun musician Bruce Daigrepont, one of the performers at the upcoming New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and his father, Albert Daigrepont. Lastly, a performance by Henry Gray and Whisperin’ Smith closes out the show.