Clarinet virtuoso and electric guitar extraordinaire “Nervous” Duane performed last Sunday afternoon at new Frenchmen Street venue Rare Form with the iconic Washboard Lissa (Lissa Driscoll).

We’re saddened to report that Lissa has just been diagnosed with throat cancer and is currently undergoing more testing to see how far along it is.

She’s been a pivotal figure on the streets of the French Quarter and Marigny for decades now, playing with numerous groups (notably Augie Junior and the Big Mess Blues Band) and serving as a beloved mentor to countless others who got their starts playing with her on the streets, including Duane.

She stayed in the city through Hurricane Katrina and was one of the first to start playing again when the clubs began reopening.

We want to support Lissa as much as possible. We’ll keep you posted on the benefit concert, tentatively planned for Wednesday, May 27th at Rare Form.

Until then, don’t miss out on Duane and Lissa’s Sunday afternoon gigs at Rare Form from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and check out Episode 3 of our Faces of Frenchmen Street video series featuring Washboard Lissa and Nervous Duane below.