The Zydeco Historical and Preservation Society

05/10/2026

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church for Lee Allen Zeno, 71, who died May 3, 2026, at his residence.

Services will be conducted by Monsignor Ronald Broussard.

Inurnment will be in Evangeline Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church from 9:00 a.m. until start of memorial service.

Carencro Memorial services will be held Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 1100 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church for Lee Allen Zeno, 71, who died May 3, 2026, at his residence. Services will be conducted by Monsignor Ronald Broussard. Inurnment will be in Evangeline Memorial Gardens. He

05/05/2026

The remembers the late, great: Wilson Anthony "Boozoo Chavis" (born October 23, 1930 in , and died May 5, 2001 in , ). !
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05/05/2026

Lee Allen Zeno
1954-May 3, 2026

The Zydeco and Blues Nation are saddened by the loss of two-time Grammy Award-winning bassist, Mr. Lee Allen Zeno, who passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the age of 71 (born in 1954 Lafayette, Louisiana).

Lee Allen Zeno, was a respected figure in the music industry, having served as a session musician and performer alongside prominent artists such as Chick Willis, Boozoo Chavis, Major Handy, the Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, and others. He is particularly recognized for his longstanding work (aprox. 40 years) with Stanley Dural, Jr., (Buckwheat Zydeco). Following Buckwheat Zydeco’s passing, Lee Allen continued his musical career with The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band, now led by Sir Reginald Dural (Buckwheat Zydeco’s son).

In December 2023, we worked with Lee Allen when the Zydeco Historical and Preservation Society received a USDA Rural Business Development grant; Lee Allen arranged for the Ils Sont Partis Band to perform at the event.

In July 2024, Lee Allen oversaw musical arrangements and led the house band for the Clifton Chenier Centennial kick-off celebration in Opelousas, Louisiana.

In 2023/2024 the Zydeco Historical & Preservation Society had the honor and privilege of working with Lee Allen (and Mike Lockett) in submitting the CD project "New Beginnings...” to the Recording Academy for Grammy consideration.

Additionally, on February 4, 2024, Lee Allen Zeno won his 2nd Grammy award along with Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr. and The Ils Sont Partis Band (Regional Roots category) at the 2024 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California (pictures featured in this post).

The Zydeco Historical and Preservation Societysends its deepest condolences to Lee Allen Zeno’s family, friends, band members and musical community. We are saddened by Lee Allen's passing and grateful for our time working with him.

We express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Lee Allen Zeno for his outstanding leadership and steadfast dedication to Zydeco music and Creole culture, as well as serving as an exemplary figure in the community. We honor Mr. Lee Allen Zeno's legacy and contributions to Zydeco music, the Blues and Creole culture.
Take your rest 🙏🏽 Lee Allen Zeno

01/24/2026

Zydeco Nation, we just recently learned of the transition of Creole Accordionist Andrew Carrier. We are saddened and are sending our prayers and sympathy to the entire Carrier family.

We will provide details on the home going services as soon as they are made available.

Rest In Peace Mr Andrew Carrier! Thank you for keeping our Creole Roots and Zydeco Nation Proud and Strong!!!

11/02/2025

08/18/2025

Happy Heavenly Birthday Father A.J. McKnight!!!

Anyone who knows about the world's first Zydeco Festival (Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival and Market) knows about the Treasurers of Opelousas (the community group that started the first Zydeco Festival and about Father A.J. McKnight, Mr Wilbert Guillory and Mr Alfred McZeal (affectionately known as "the Big Three.") who were instrumental in the cooperative movement in Southwest Louisiana and the early success of the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival in Plaisance. Louisiana.

The Zydeco Historical and Preservation Society will be posting the names of the original Treasurers of Opelousas and other historical tid bits about Zydeco music and Creole culture this Labor Day Weekend.