The Lost Bayou Ramblers might look like they’d be one of the newer groups World Cafe met with while exploring Lafayette, LA for its Sense of Place special, but the cajun band was actually formed fifteen years ago by brothers Louis and Andre Michot. The Grammy-nominated Louisiana / Texas group released Mammoth Waltz in 2012, blending cajun music with punk energy and psychedelic creativity. Listen to their full interview. Read more.
Latin Roots is World Cafe‘s periodic in-depth look at the traditional music of Latin countries and their place in contemporary genres. On this special edition, KRVS’s Diego Martin Perez, host of La Vellonera on the Lafayette radio station, discusses the cross-section of cajun, zydeco and Latin music revolving around the accordion. Read more.
Sean Ardoin took some time to talk with XPN’s Bob Bumbera while the World Cafe team was in Lafayette a few weeks ago. The Creole United and Zydekool musician talked about the essence of zydeco and explained why the music demands your attention. Read more.
Major Handy is a true “musician’s musician” in the world of zydeco. A 2010 article in Living Blues magazine spotlighted the Lafayette / St. Martinville, Louisiana native and the many contributions he’s made to music during his 40 year career, detailing the time Otis Redding asked a 15 year old Major to play in his band and the 12 years he spent with Rockin’ Dopsie. He also performed his song “Down On the Bayou” for WXPN late last month. Read more.
On a recent trip to Layfayette, Louisiana, we had a chance to talk with Michael Tisserand, the New Orleans based writer and author of an essential book about Zydeco, The Kingdom of Zydeco, during which he discussed the difference between zydeco and cajun music in both roots and purpose. Read more.
CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band helped us kick off Zydeco Crossroads back in July at the XPoNential Music Festival. Now you can listen to Chenier’s interview with World Cafe’s David Dye and download an exclusive performance of “Please Baby Don’t Go.” Read more.
Keith Frank is one of the most prolific musicians to come out of zydeco, having released a dozen records over the course of his fifteen year career. Read more.
All week on World Cafe David Dye will be sharing the sessions, stories and sounds of Sense of Place: Lafayette. When the World Cafe team went down to Louisiana last month they explored the city from front to back, meeting new music friends like yesterday’s featured artists Royal Teeth, stopping in at Olde Tyme Grocery for authentic po’ boys (thanks to a tip from old music friends Givers) and visiting Lake Martin (pictured above) to spot some local wildlife. Read more.
Allons Danser welcomes zydeco musicians Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys to Norristown’s Holy Saviour Club on Saturday, December 13th for a holiday potluck and dance party. Read more.