Congratulations to Johnny Vidacovich on being awarded the "Lifetime Achievement in Music" at the Gambit's Big Easy Awards!

"Johnny Vidacovich, in his more than 50 years performing, has drummed with Mose Allison, Chet Baker, James Booker, Joe Henderson, Professor Longhair, Charles Neville, George Porter Jr. and numerous others. He’s been behind the kit with Astral Project since 1978, along with Tony Dagradi, Steve Masakowski and James Singleton. He gigs with Nolatet and others, leads his own trio, and has never missed a New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival — until this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Vidacovich picked up the drums when he was 10 years old and became a sponge for the New Orleans rhythms around him. He has lent his personal, dynamic touch to more than 100 recordings, crossing genres from jazz to rhythm-and-blues, funk, rock ‘n’ roll and country.

Simply, Vidacovich is a master."

Below, check out an excerpt from his set at Basin Street Station in February 2015, followed by an interview with WWOZ's George Ingmire.