Lynn August

Joseph Leonard August Jr. (August 7, 1948 – February 12, 2025), known professionally as Lynn August, was an American zydeco accordionist, keyboard player, singer and bandleader.

Life and career August was born in Lafayette, Louisiana on August 7, 1948. Though sometimes said to have been blind from birth, his own recollection is of having some sight until about the age of four. He attended the Louisiana State School for the Blind in Baton Rouge, and grew up listening to zydeco music, including that of his uncle Claude Duffy, an accordion player. He began playing drums and occasionally sang with Duffy's band, and at the age of 11 played percussion with the singer Esquerita, who suggested that he learn keyboards. He performed around New Orleans for about three years with Esquerita, who encouraged him to consider a solo career, and also played drums in the early 1960s with Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural.