# Carl LeBlanc

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American guitarist and banjo player (born 1955)

For the Canadian ice hockey player, see [Carl LeBlanc (ice hockey)](/source/Carl_LeBlanc_(ice_hockey)).

Carl LeBlanc Background information Born Carl LeBlanc, Jr. (1955-05-26) May 26, 1955 (age 71) Origin New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Genres Jazz, Avant-garde jazz, Bebop, R&B Occupations Musician, educator Instruments Guitar, banjo, vocals Years active 1967-present

Musical artist

**Carl LeBlanc** (born May 26, 1955) is an American guitarist and [four-string banjo](/source/Banjo#Four-string_banjos) player. LeBlanc is most striking for his work in both [avant garde jazz](/source/Avant-garde_jazz) and traditional jazz—being the only musician to work with famed afrofuturist keyboardist/bandleader [Sun Ra](/source/Sun_Ra) and [Preservation Hall](/source/Preservation_Hall).

LeBlanc has recorded seven solo albums during his career blending the varying styles of traditional jazz, avant garde jazz, bebop, and New Orleans tradition, namely [Mardi Gras Indian](/source/Mardi_Gras_Indians) and [Second line](/source/Second_line_(parades)) style.[1] He has also served as banjo player at Preservation Hall, following in the footsteps of his predecessor [Narvin Kimball](/source/Narvin_Kimball), and directed the Preservation Hall Junior Jazz and Heritage Band.[2][3]

## Biography

LeBlanc was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in the Seventh Ward. He heard the city's brass band parades in his neighborhood when he was a child, but it was [The Beatles](/source/The_Beatles)'s famous [Ed Sullivan Show](/source/Ed_Sullivan_Show) appearance which inspired him to play the guitar. At the early age of 12 he began performing with a high school-aged band *The Sonics* at The Wonderful Boys Club, a social and pleasure hall, and served as apprentice to many of the neighborhood's musicians.

LeBlanc received a scholarship to [Columbia University](/source/Columbia_University) where he studied Music Education after being recruited by former Jesuit High School classmates. He would later graduate from [Southern University of New Orleans](/source/Southern_University_at_New_Orleans), studying under the tutelage of [Kidd Jordan](/source/Kidd_Jordan), and move to Philadelphia to play with renowned jazz musician Sun Ra.[4]

During his career, LeBlanc has also performed with [Fats Domino](/source/Fats_Domino), [Screamin' Jay Hawkins](/source/Screamin'_Jay_Hawkins), the [Dirty Dozen](/source/Dirty_Dozen_Brass_Band), [Allen Toussaint](/source/Allen_Toussaint), [Bo Diddley](/source/Bo_Diddley), [Ellis Marsalis Jr.](/source/Ellis_Marsalis%2C_Jr.), James Rivers, [Blind Boys of Alabama](/source/Blind_Boys_of_Alabama), and [Irvin Mayfield](/source/Irvin_Mayfield) & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. LeBlanc continues preserving the legacy of New Orleans music tradition through education and performing.[5][6]

## Discography

### As leader

- *Sidewalk Serenade* (Independent, 1975)

- *Bebop* (Independent, 1979)

- *Gazebo Afternoon* (Independent, 2004)

- *New Orleans’ Seventh Ward Griot* ([Preservation Hall](/source/Preservation_Hall), 2008)

- *Partners* (Independent, 2009)

- *Those Who Have Ears* (Independent, 2011)

- *Justin Case* (Independent, 2012)

### As sideman

**with [Sun Ra](/source/Sun_Ra):**

- *[Reflections in Blue](/source/Reflections_in_Blue_(Sun_Ra_album))* ([Black Saint](/source/Black_Saint), 1986)

- *[Hours After](/source/Hours_After)* ([Black Saint](/source/Black_Saint), 1986)

- *[Blue Delight](/source/Blue_Delight)* ([A&M Records](/source/A%26M_Records), 1988)

- *[Mayan Temples](/source/Mayan_Temples)* ([Black Saint](/source/Black_Saint), 1990)

- *[Somewhere Else](/source/Somewhere_Else_(Sun_Ra_album))* ([Rounder Records](/source/Rounder_Records), 1993)

- *The Complete Remastered Recordings on Black Saint & Soul Note* (CAM Jazz, 2015)

- *Lights on a Satellite* (IN + OUT, 2024)

**with [Preservation Hall Jazz Band](/source/Preservation_Hall_Jazz_Band):**

- *The Hurricane Sessions* ([Preservation Hall](/source/Preservation_Hall), 2008)

- *Preservation: An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program* ([Preservation Hall](/source/Preservation_Hall), 2010)

- *The 50th Anniversary Collection* ([Preservation Hall](/source/Preservation_Hall), 2012)

**with [The Del McCoury Band](/source/The_Del_McCoury_Band) and [Preservation Hall Jazz Band](/source/Preservation_Hall_Jazz_Band):**

- *American Legacies* ([Preservation Hall](/source/Preservation_Hall), 2011)

**with [The Blind Boys of Alabama](/source/The_Blind_Boys_of_Alabama):**

- *[Down in New Orleans](/source/Down_in_New_Orleans)* ([Time-Life](/source/Time-Life), 2008)

**with [Fats Domino](/source/Fats_Domino):**

- *Alive and Kickin'* (Independent, 2006)

- *Legends of New Orleans: Fats Domino Live!* (Shout! Factory, 2003)

**with [Treme Brass Band](/source/Treme_Brass_Band):**

- *New Orleans Music* (Mardi Gras Records, 2008)

**with [Lucien Barbarin](/source/Lucien_Barbarin):**

- *It's Good To Be Home* (Independent, 2007)

**with [Johnny Adams](/source/Johnny_Adams):**

- *The Verdict* (Rounder, 1995)

**with [Eddie Bo](/source/Eddie_Bo):**

- *Eddie Bo and Friends* (Bo-Sound, 1995)

- *Back Up This Train* (Bo-Sound, 1996)

- *Nine Yards of Funk* (Bo-Sound, 1998)

- *We Come To Party* (Bo-Sound, 2001)

**with [Kermit Ruffins](/source/Kermit_Ruffins):**

- *Livin’ a Treme Life* (Basin Street, 2009)

**with [Pretty Lights](/source/Pretty_Lights):**

- *[A Color Map of the Sun](/source/A_Color_Map_of_the_Sun)* ([Preservation Hall](/source/Preservation_Hall), 2013)

**other works:**

- *[Dick Tracy Original Soundtrack](/source/Dick_Tracy_(soundtrack))* ([Sire](/source/Sire_Records)/[Warner Bros. Records](/source/Warner_Bros._Records), 1990)

- *Louisiana Spice* (Independent, 1995)

- *Promenades en Louisiana* (Independent, 1999)

- *[Our New Orleans: A Benefit Album for the Gulf Coast](/source/Our_New_Orleans%3A_A_Benefit_Album_for_the_Gulf_Coast)* ([Nonesuch Records](/source/Nonesuch_Records), 2005)

- *Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino* (Independent, 2007)

## Awards and nominations

Year Nominee / work Category Award Result 2009 Down in New Orleans as a sideman with the Blind Boys of Alabama Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album Grammy Awards Won 2026 Lights on a Satellite as a sideman with Sun Ra Arkestra Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album Grammy Awards Nominated

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Szwed, John F. *Space Is the Place: The Lives and times of Sun Ra*. New York: Da Capo, 1998. Print.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Guillot, Lydia. *My New Orleans*. United States: Lulu.com, 2009. Print.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Rawls, Alex. "Local Heros." *SPIN* May–June 2008: 126. Print.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Connie Atkinson (January 1983). ["Wavelength"](http://scholarworks.uno.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=wavelength). *Scholarworks.uno.edu*. Retrieved July 28, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Kennedy, Al. *Chord Changes on the Chalkboard: How Public School Teachers Shaped Jazz and the Music of New Orleans*. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow, 2002. Print.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** LeBlanc, Carl (November 11, 2015). ["Modern Traditions: Ben Harper and Carl LeBlanc"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200223043938/http://americanroutes.wwno.org/archives/artist/1331/carl-leblanc). *[American Routes](/source/American_Routes)* (Interview). Interviewed by [Nick Spitzer](/source/Nick_Spitzer). New Orleans: PRX. Archived from [the original](http://americanroutes.wwno.org/archives/artist/1331/carl-leblanc) on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Carl LeBlanc](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Carl_LeBlanc).

- [Carl LeBlanc, Official site](http://www.carlleblanc.com/)

- [Jazz Banjoists of New Orleans](http://sites.duke.edu/banjology/banjo-and-jazz/)

- [2013 Carl LeBlanc interview, Acadie black et blanc. Directed by Monique LeBlanc. CinImages Productions.](http://www.radio-canada.ca/widgets/mediaconsole/medianet/7347282)

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States Artists MusicBrainz

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