Washboard Leo Thomas

“Washboard” Leo Thomas, born and raised in New Orleans, is the inventor of the Electric Washboard. He has played around the world and has 40 years of experience playing everything from classical jazz to rock on his famous washboard. Among his many credits are accolades from a reviewer for the New York Times where he was named “the Jimi Hendrix of the Washboard” after seeing him play at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. He played at President Clinton’s 53rd birthday party, he has performed in notable venues in and around the south, including New Orleans’ Famous Door. Musical legacy, and was nominated folk entertainer of the year for the 1992 and 1993 New Orleans Big Easy Award. He has played with renowned musicians such as David Allen Coe, Earl Scruggs, Fingers Taylor (Jimmy Buffet’s piano player), John Prine, David Greely, and Willie Nelson.