Born into a Creole family in 1956, Don Vappie grew up with the music of his elegant culture. Like so many New Orleans musicians, music runs in his genes. His relatives include early jazz greats Papa John Joseph and Willie "Kaiser" Joseph. He started playing music as a young boy, first on piano and then becoming conversant with a number of instruments, including bass and guitar, before settling on the tenor banjo as his instrument of choice. He has played and toured with such jazz luminaries as Wynton Marsalis and Dr. Michael White, appearing on a number of their CDs. They are all together on the great live recording New Year's Eve Live at the Village Vanguard. The banjo player fronts his own band, called the Creole Jazz Serenaders, and they have put out two outstanding CDs.