Everyone's heard of Louis Armstrong, the most famous New Orleans jazz trumpeter, but few know the music that inspired Armstrong came from William "Bunk" Johnson in the 1910s. Thirty years later, Armstrong and other jazz enthusiasts lifted "Bunk" Johnson from rice and sugarcane fields by day, and small town "Banner Band" by night, to international recognition for the New Orleans Jazz Revival. Bunk was laid to rest in 1949,but his influence on jazz lovers refuses to die. (Source: Austin M. Sonnier Jr., 1989, Second Linin': Jazzmen of Southwest LA., 1900-1950)Visit the Bunk Johnson Jazz Collection Exhibit at the Iberia Parish Library and indulge is a compilation of the talented jazz trumpeter's memorabilia including books, periodicals, audiotapes, videotapes, documents, photographs and his instruments. Visit his grave at St. Edward Catholic Church Cemetery, as well as the Memorial Plaza and mural. Attend the Bunk Johnson Jazz, Arts & Heritage Festival, held annually in May.
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