Accordion player Mark Ardoin will lead the next Zydeco Capital Jam on Saturday, July 8th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center in Opelousas.
Since February 2019, the jam has welcomed seasoned zydeco musicians and newcomers to play in St. Landry Parish, the cradle of Grammy winners Clifton Chenier, Rockin’ Sidney and Terrance Simien.
Mark Ardoin, a truck driver who lives near Reeves, La., has become a regular participant since he first visited the jam in 2021. He first served as jam leader last August. Ardoin was raised in Elton, La. in a family of self-taught, accordionists. Mark, who has been playing since the age of 3, learned on his father’s Acadian accordion made by pioneer builder Marc Savoy of Eunice.
The Zydeco Capital Jam has free admission and is open to all musicians and fans. For more information, visit the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission web site at cajuntravel.com.
