UN ydeco AJ B Z C L E N D

HISTORY OF CAJUN & ZYDECO MUSIC

DOC GUIDRY (1915-1992) Born Oran Guidry in Lafayette, Louisiana. Guidry played fiddle as well as the mandolin. IRY LEJEUNE (1928-1955) He played alongside many Cajun UN musicians during his career. AJ AMÉDÉ ARDOIN 1915 Born in Pointe Noire, Louisiana. Lejeune C (1898-1942) along with Abshire is responsible for the reemergence of the accordion in SAVOY-DOUCET Ardoin is considered to be Cajun music. He met Eddie Shuler, Lake CAJUN BAND a very important influential DEWEY BALFA Charles record producer, in 1947, and musical figure for both Cajun NATHAN ABSHIRE (1927-1992) he let Lejeune play his accordion on the The band is a trio that includes and Zydeco music as he was (1915-1981) radio and eventually recorded at Shuler’s IMPORTANT MUSICIANS accordionist Marc Savoy, who is a Creole accordion player and Born in Bayou Grand Louis, Goldband Records. Lejeune went on also known for being one of the vocalist. Ardoin was known Born in Gueydan, Louisiana. Amédé Ardoin, Louisiana. Balfa was a Cajun to become a successful and influential IN THE STRING-BAND ERA best known accordion makers; for his signature high singing Creole musician, was a heavy influence on fiddler who came from a family Cajun artist selling many records, Leo Soileau and J.B. Fuselier Savoy’s wife, Ann Savoy and voice as well as being a skilled Abshire’s accordion playing and singing of fiddlers. He played with his some included “Lacassine Special” and In the mid-40s, right after WWII, popular Cajun Michael Doucet. Some of the band’s accordionist. He often partnered style. One of his most well-known hits is brothers and formed the Balfa “Calcasieu Waltz,” spending much of his musicians who emerged during this time were albums include Home Music With up with Cajun fiddler,Dennis “Pine Grove Blues” released in 1949, which Brothers. Some of great works life South of Lacassine. being recognized for bringing accordion playing Spirits and Sam’s Big Rooster. McGee (1893-1989). is considered his signature song. included “Cajun Fiddle Old and back into Cajun music. This period was termed 1915 New” and “Fait á la Main.” 1898 1928 “The Return of the Accordion.” 1927 Mid-40s UN UN STEVE RILEY AJ AJ C LAWRENCE WALKER C (1908-1968) HARRY AND THE MAMOU “ROCKING’ SIDNEY” SIMIEN (1980s) CHOATES (1938-1998) “THE RETURN OF PLAYBOYS Born near Scott, Louisiana. Walker (1922-1951) learned to play accordion as well as THE ACCORDION” Popular internationally known Cajun music is an Simien recorded “My Toot Toot” and released it the fiddle from his family. Along with Shirley Bergeron, Austin Cajun band found by Steve emblematic music Choates released his 1985, which is one of the most successful Zydeco Lejeune and Abshire, he is considered Pitre, and Belton Richard Riley in the late 1980s. Some of Louisiana and is own version of “Jolie hits of all-time, even earned him a GRAMMY. He a very important accordion player of the band’s many albums rooted in the ballads Blonde” in 1946, and it reenergized interest in Zydeco music with his coming up during the reemergence of Other important Cajun musicians include, La Toussaint, Grand of the French- is considered one of the international hit, and he spent time recording in his the instrument being played. followed after the major great Isle, and Bon Rêve. speaking Acadians best versions to ever be home studio in Lake Charles, purchased KAOK-AM Cajun/Creole players that made a of Canada. recorded of the song. Radio station, and several of his songs have become Zydeco staples, covered regularly by other bands. mark in music history. Following the 1908 lead of their predecessors, these 1980s 1922 musicians also have made a name for 1938 themselves along with many others.

1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 co yde Z co Mid yde 1925 30s-40s Z JOHN DELAFOSE 1992 IMPORTANT MUSICIANS IN EARLY 1900 Cajun music infused its CLIFTON CHENIER AND THE EUNICE BALFA TOUJOURS ( ) JOSEPH FALCON way into Zydeco. Zydeco (1925-1987) CAJUN MUSIC PLAYBOYS 1992 (1900-1965) is parallel to Cajun music. The influence of the music He was known as the “King of The group formed out of Basile, Zydeco” during his career and is Sady Couriville, Wade Frugé, and Amédé Breaux The band was one of the most Louisiana in 1992 as a tribute to Popular Cajun vocalist and comes from a bleed of The mid-30s and early to mid-40s, the accordion was rarely successful Zydeco bands in the accordionist in the early twentieth African, Creole, blues, still considered “King of Zydeco” the Balfa Brothers Band. Some used as the main instrument, it was during this time period Gulf coast. Some of their releases La century. He recorded the first Cajun and French music. to his many followers and fans of their albums include, today. Amédé Ardoin was a major that the fiddle played the key instrument in Cajun music. This included “Heartaches and Hot Pointe and Deux Voyages. record, along with his wife Cleoma era is often referred to as the string-band era of Cajun music. Steps,” “Joe Pete Got Two Women,” Breaux Falcon, (1905-1941). influence for him in his music. Chenier recorded his first record New popular Cajun musicians emerged from this time period. and “Zydeco Excitement.” at Lake Charles radio station, KAOK-AM, that was later picked ALPHONSE 1915 up by a major record company in ND N E Los Angeles. Some of his many AJU L “BOIS SEC” hits from his records included 1933 C B ARDOIN (1915-2007) “Boppin’ the Rock” and “Ai ‘Tit THE HACKBERRY RAMBLERS Fille (Hey Little Girl).” Born in Duralde, Louisiana. Bois The Cajun group was found in 1933 by Luderin Darbone and BEAUSOLEIL AVEC Early in the evolution Sec was Amédé Ardoin’s cousin. A Edwin Duhon. Darborne learned to play the fiddle at 10 years MICHAEL DOUCET of Cajun & Zydeco self-taught accordionist, Ardoin old. Years later he partnered up with childhood friend, Edwin, traditions, there were formed a partnership with Creole who played the accordion and guitar. The original lineup One of the most well-known musicians who influenced fiddlerCanray Fontenot and called QUEEN IDA 1929 included, Darborne as bandleader, Lennis Sonnier as vocalist; Cajuns groups. They have released the emergence of Zydeco themselves the Duralde Ramblers. (BORN 1929) the guitarists of the group were Glen Croker, Lonnie Rainwater, dozens of albums and tour all with their musical styles. They released an album in 1966 Floyd Shreve, and Jose Werner, Jonnie Parket on bass and around the world. Some of their These musicians represent called Le Blues du Bayou, which Born Ida Lee Lewis, Queen Ida, was raised in Edwin playing accordion and eventually guitar in band. By 1935, many albums include, The Spirit of the blended roots of Cajun consisted of French ballads and a musically talented family, learning to play the group was the most successful Cajun band in Southwest Cajun Music, Bayou Boogie, Cajun & Zydeco music. quick two step. He also was the front the accordion and piano. She was the first Louisiana. One of their earliest successful records was their Conja, and Gitane Cajun. of the Ardoin Brothers Band along Zydeco artist to tour in Japan, later touring in version of “Jolie Blonde” released in 1936. They were the first to with collaborating with other Cajun/ Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Her band use electronic amplification in Southwest Louisiana. Zydeco bands throughout his career. was featured on Saturday Night Live in 1985. She’s a GRAMMY winning artist who has also won 4 Blues Music Awards. N deco AJU y C ALDUS Z 1916 OTHER MAJOR OTHER IMPORTANT ROGER 1930 ZYDECO PLAYERS (1916-1999) BOOZOO CHAVIS (1930-2001) AND POPULAR CAJUN MUSICIANS Born in Carencro, Louisiana. Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana. First hit was “Paper in Geno Delafose, Rockin’ Dopsie, He was an accordion player My Shoe.” Chavis was crowned as “The King of Zydeco” Buckwheat Zydeco, Beau Jocque, VisitLakeCharles.org/Music The Jambalaya Cajun Band, Zachary Richard, who was strongly inspired by in New Orleans in the 1990s, and every September, GRAMMY Winner Terrance D.L. Menard, Chuck Guillory and the Rhythm Lawrence Walker and Amédé crowds can hear Chavis family members and other Simien, Keith Frank, Solieau Band, Boys, Coteau, Paul Daigle, GRAMMY winner Ardoin. Roger was leader of Zydeco musicians playing music during the Boozoo Chris Ardoin and Sean Ardoin, Jo-EL Sonnier, along with many others. the Lafayette Playboys. Chavis Labor Day Festival in Lake Charles. along with many others.