DPRAM

DON VAPPIE

Don Vappie is a Creole banjoist, guitarist, bassist, vocalist, composer, and educator from New Orleans whose career bridges tradition and innovation. Growing up in a family of musicians, he absorbed Creole culture from an early age and became fluent on multiple instruments before making the banjo his main voice. Known for his warm vocals and virtuosic playing, Vappie has built a reputation as one of the leading figures in the preservation of Creole jazz, often described as the living link between Storyville traditions and today’s global jazz scene.

He leads Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders, a band dedicated to authentic New Orleans Creole jazz, while also collaborating with ensembles across genres. His discography includes acclaimed albums such as Banjo à la Creole, Creole Blues, A Very Vappie Christmas, In Search of King Oliver, and The Blue Book of Storyville. Vappie’s versatility has taken him from clubs in New Orleans to major stages around the world, including Carnegie Hall and leading European jazz festivals.

Beyond performance, Vappie has been a teacher and cultural ambassador. He served as an artist-in-residence at Loyola University, has conducted educational workshops internationally, and co-produced a PBS documentary that explored Creole music traditions. His contributions have been recognized with major honors, including the Steve Martin Banjo Prize (2021) and induction into the American Banjo Museum’s Hall of Fame (2022).

Respected as both a tradition-bearer and an innovator, Don Vappie continues to expand the voice of the banjo and the reach of Creole jazz—keeping alive a heritage that is both deeply local and universally resonant.