José Carlos López Vázquez banjo, vocals · Carl Leo Le Blanc guitarra, vocals · Fernando Lamas Pérez drums · Hector Oliveira doublebass · Marcos Prieto Martín clarinet · trumpet
Carl LeBlanc (New Orleans, 05/26/1955) is an American guitarist and banjo player. LeBlanc is particularly recognized for his work in both avant-garde jazz and traditional jazz, being the only musician to have worked with avant-garde jazz legend Sun Ra and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, where he played the banjo following in the footsteps of his predecessor Narvin Kimball. He was also the director of the Preservation Hall Junior Jazz and Heritage Band.
LeBlanc has performed with Fats Domino, Eddie Bo, Treme Brass Band, Bo Diddley, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, the Dirty Dozen, Allen Toussaint, Ellis Marsalis Jr., James Rivers, Blind Boys of Alabama, and Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. He has recorded with all of them, creating an extensive discography (see discography). LeBlanc continues to preserve the legacy of New Orleans’ musical tradition through education and performances. He has also recorded seven solo albums throughout his career.
LeBlanc was born in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, where he began playing at the age of 12 with the band The Sonics. He studied Music Education at Columbia University and later graduated from the Southern University of New Orleans, where he was a student of Kidd Jordan. He later moved to Philadelphia to play with the renowned jazz pianist Sun Ra.
Carl LeBlanc presents his European tour in 2025, paying tribute to the legacy of New Orleans jazz tradition. He will be accompanied by banjo player and singer Carlos Childe, in a sextet formation (with the possibility of other formations or solo performances).
