Just two days after celebrating his 103rd birthday, veteran Lionel Ferbos, the city’s oldest practicing musician, passed away at his New Orleans home on Saturday July 19 of natural causes.

Lionel Ferbos

Mr. Ferbos attended his birthday party on Thursday, but reportedly was very ill at the party and appeared frail.

Ferbos played regularly at gigs all around New Orleans until recently, and played his last gig at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival this year.

He had a regular engagement at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe on Decatur Street.

Funeral arrangements are pending. OffBeat will pay tribute to Mr. Ferbos and his legacy in its August issue.

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