Students in band, French and history classes had the unique opportunity to attend a performance by a zydeco band, The Arrow Jazz Band from New Orleans, Louisiana’s National Historical Park! The special concert visit was in partnership with the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park. This is the second year in a row that The Arrow Jazz Band has performed for our students.
Zydeco is a popular music genre that evolved in southwest Louisiana by French creole speakers. It blends forms of folk and popular music, including blues, R&B, jazz, and music originating from Louisiana Creoles and the Native American people of Louisiana.
The band, whose members included vocalist Santrell Jade Perdue, Hunter Miles Davis on the drums, Dylan Decker on the keys, and Jacob Hubbs on the bass. The group played earlier in the day at the Ste. Genevieve County R-II Performing Arts Center for students, and then gave another performance for community members later that evening at the Orris. Students had the opportunity to sing along, learn some Creole words and sayings in the lyrics, and ask questions to the band members.