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One of zydeco's most versatile performers, Lynn August spiked his native southwestern Louisiana sound with elements of pop, gospel, and R&B. Born in Lafayette on August 7, 1948, the blind August was encouraged by his mother to pursue a career in music, and he was raised on a steady diet of zydeco, New Orleans rhythm and blues, and swamp-pop. After learning to play drums on an old wash basin, at the age of 12 he was recruited to play percussion with the legendary <a href="spotify:artist:4QAZXcBUMXVHvax33uG7XL">Esquerita</a>, who convinced him to also take up the piano; a few years later, August made the switch to the Hammond B-3 organ as well. During the mid-'60s, he played with a young Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, later mounting a solo career as well as sitting in with a variety of local swamp-pop combos; he also led a big band, and even directed a church choir.
In 1988, August turned to the accordion and began his zydeco career in earnest; forming the Hot August Knights with tenor saxophonist John Hart, he also studied field recordings made in 1934 by archivist <a href="spotify:artist:1u8YzEYh6gvvFog95WtAao">Alan Lomax</a> to absorb the original Creole style of "jure" singing into his own contemporary aesthetic. After signing to the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Maison+de+Soul%22">Maison de Soul</a> label, August debuted with It's Party Time, followed in 1989 by Zydeco Groove; a move to <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Black+Top%22">Black Top</a> heralded the release of 1992's Creole Cruiser, with the acclaimed Sauce Piquante appearing a year later. He also worked in computer technology, and founded his own company to create computer solutions for the visually impaired. August died on February 13, 2025; he was 76 years of age. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
In 1988, August turned to the accordion and began his zydeco career in earnest; forming the Hot August Knights with tenor saxophonist John Hart, he also studied field recordings made in 1934 by archivist <a href="spotify:artist:1u8YzEYh6gvvFog95WtAao">Alan Lomax</a> to absorb the original Creole style of "jure" singing into his own contemporary aesthetic. After signing to the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Maison+de+Soul%22">Maison de Soul</a> label, August debuted with It's Party Time, followed in 1989 by Zydeco Groove; a move to <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Black+Top%22">Black Top</a> heralded the release of 1992's Creole Cruiser, with the acclaimed Sauce Piquante appearing a year later. He also worked in computer technology, and founded his own company to create computer solutions for the visually impaired. August died on February 13, 2025; he was 76 years of age. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
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