Southwest Louisiana will experience Pokey LaFarge — musician, songwriter, bandleader, entertainer, preservationist and innovator — and his band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in McNeese’s F.G. Bulber Auditorium as part of the McNeese Banners Cultural Series.

Born in the heartland of America and based in St. Louis, Mo., LaFarge has won the hearts of music lovers across the globe with his Midwestern appeal and charisma along with his innovative mix of early jazz, string ragtime, country blues and western swing. His music ranges among numerous forms of traditional American music, which has given him the ability to create a sound that is appealing to a diverse audience.

In the past year, he was honored with a second consecutive Best Americana Album win by the Independent Music Awards for “Middle of Everywhere,” joined Vince Giordano for a track featured on an episode of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” and recorded alongside Jack White on his album “Blunderbuss.”

He has also played with many musicians such as The Raconteurs, Nils Lofgren, Southern Culture on the Skids, Wanda Jackson and Old Crow Medicine Show.

In March, LaFarge played at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, and in May he will perform at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

He will release a full-length album this year with help from Ketch Secor of the Old Crow Medicine Show.

Tickets will be $20 for adults, $5 for children and free to McNeese and Sowela students with a valid I.D.

For more information call the Banners office at 337-475-5123 or visit www.banners.org

Pokey LaFarge will perform Saturday as part of the Banners Cultural Series. (Special to the American Press)