We sat down with Washboard Chaz Leary to talk about moving to New Orleans, his music, and the state of Frenchmen Street in the first episode of our “Faces of Frenchmen” series.

The series will focus on individual members of the larger Frenchmen Street community, with each participant weighing in on what makes the music corridor so important to the city’s musical heritage.

Check out what Washboard Chaz has to say, and get a glimpse of what it’s like to be in the audience for one of his regular gigs at the Spotted Cat.

And stay tuned for Episode 2 of our Faces of Frenchmen series!