C.J. Chenier is an outstanding zydeco musician and son of Clifton Chenier, who, with his Red Hot Louisiana Band, was the inarguable king of the form.

Decades ago, despite aspirations to play jazz saxophone, C.J. was sorta tricked by the Old Man – who by then was quite ill with diabetes – into showing up at a Red Hot Louisiana Band gig and sitting in on sax for the whole performance.

Not long after, Clifton gave C.J. an accordion and told the kid to figure it out – ascension to royalty would soon be his duty.

It’s a colossal understatement to say it all worked out. C.J. Chenier, with the latest edition of the Red Hot Louisiana Band, remains a huge draw on the zydeco and roots circuits, and plays an Ash Wednesday gig in Mystic’s Milestone restaurant.

After all, Mardi Gras isn’t necessarily over when they tell you it is.

C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Milestone, 12 Water St., Mystic; milestonect.com, (860) 980-8787.