Johnette Downing

New Orleans' own Johnette Downing serves up a musical gumbo of Louisiana-flavored songs for children. Called the "Cajun Raffi," the "Bonnie Raitt of children's music," and the "Pied Piper of Louisiana Music Traditions" by the media, Johnette Downing's music and concerts are Louisiana dance parties for children filled with songs that evoke a joie de vivre, a zest for life, through a mélange of Louisiana roots music styles from Cajun, zydeco, and swamp pop of South Louisiana; to the rhythm & blues, gospel, jazz, brass band, and street music of New Orleans. Recipient of the Louisiana Writer Award, Johnette is also a haiku poet, and the author of over thirty books for children.