Dr. Michael White is a renowned New Orleans clarinetist, bandleader, composer, historian, and educator, recognized as a leading authority on traditional New Orleans jazz. He has performed worldwide, recorded over 50 albums, and collaborated with legends like Wynton Marsalis, Eric Clapton, and Paul Simon.
Inspired by George Lewis, White began his jazz career in the 1970s, playing with brass bands and forming the Original Liberty Jazz Band in 1981. His recordings, including Blue Crescent and Adventures in New Orleans Jazz, highlight his deep connection to the city’s musical heritage.
His numerous accolades include the NEA Heritage Fellowship, Offbeat Magazine’s Clarinetist of the Year, and the French Chevalier of Arts & Letters. Despite losing his home and archives to Hurricane Katrina, White continues to champion and preserve the spirit of New Orleans jazz.
