Dr. Michael White’s career has been circling and, in fact, emulating the music of jazz clarinetist George Lewis for decades. In 2000, White, who is a professor, historian, composer and musician, recorded A Song for George Lewis, an album almost entirely comprised of the Algiers clarinetist’s music. On Nov. 16, White will perform Lewis’ music with a quartet at Landry-Walker High School.

Born in the French Quarter as Joseph Francois Louis Zenon, Lewis became a world-renowned musician in the early 20th century. By the time Lewis ended his career, he’d become the leader of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

“Some people think that New Orleans jazz is just a simple set of songs so if you just play them you’re playing it,” said White in an interview with OffBeat in 2018. “Others recognize that New Orleans jazz is a style—a language. You can do anything within its guidelines and rules.”

White’s performance will coincide with the Algiers Tricentennial commemoration, which is organized by the Old Algiers Main Street Corporation. “This is an opportunity to pay tribute to one of many Algiers musicians who helped create the jazz genre in the first half of the last century,” said the president of Old Algiers Main Street Corporation, Valerie Robinson. “Dr. White will not only perform and explain Lewis’s style to the audience, but he will also teach selected Landry-Walker band students about Lewis’s music. This is a great benefit to the Algiers community during its Tricentennial year.”

As the George Lewis Legacy event will act as a fundraiser for the Algiers Tricentennial, money raised from the event will go towards the Algiers community. A silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. The auction will include official artwork for the Algiers Tricentennial poster, created by artist Jane Brewster.

Landry-Walker High School is located at 1200 L.B. Landry Blvd. After the auction, White will perform with the quartet at 7 p.m., followed by a discussion of Lewis’ music. Tickets are available through EventBrite for $20, or $10 for students. VIP packages are also available. For more information about the event and where to purchase tickets, visit the Algiers Tricentennial website, here.