Hans Christian Andersen once said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” If he was right, then the state of Louisiana truly has the capacity to shout!

I brought two vivid memories back home after a visit this past June. In New Iberia, we listened to a trio of Cajun musicians at Clementine on Main. The lively foot-tapping sounds reminded me of growing up in southwestern Nova Scotia where the French Acadian music is so eerily similar.

Later in the week, we were in New Orleans and decided to learn how to prepare Creole cuisine at a cooking school. Our attempts were tasty, but even more delicious later that evening was listening to the sultry sounds of The Nayo Jones Experience at The Jazz Playhouse in the French Quarter.

You can also hear Zydeco (originally created by Creole sharecroppers and farmers), Blues, Afro-Caribbean beats, Swamp Blues—and even Swamp Pop! The latter two styles were developed in the 1950s. (In the northern part of the state, Country music reigns supreme.)

Louisiana has numerous annual music festivals to discover, including: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Baton Rouge Blues Festival, Opelousas Zydeco Festival, Swamp Pop Festival, Essence Music Festival and the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles.

Travel Planner

Explore all Louisiana has to offer at LouisianaTravel.com/Canada.