learn Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Zydeco Crossroads

A Short History of Zydeco

Posted on January 7, 2015January 12, 2015 by Scott Billington

The rollicking dance music called zydeco is a quirky invention that could only have happened in Southwest Louisiana, where descendants of French and Creole-speaking African Americans (who today call themselves Creoles) merged their ancient songs with a rhythm and blues beat. The essential instruments are an amplified accordion, and a frottoir or scrub board, a corrugated sheet-metal vest played with bottle openers that is surely one of the loudest percussion instruments every invented. Read more.

Chubby Carrier talks about the history of Zydeco music

Posted on January 3, 2015January 3, 2015 by Bruce Warren

Chubby Carrier talks about the difference between Cajun and Zydeco music, its origins and how he interprets the tradition of the music he grew up with. It’s “music of the people, music to make you happy.”

Amédé Ardoin: ‘Our Van Gogh, our Camille Claudel’

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Herman Fuselier

Last summer, the search for Amédé Ardoin seemed to have hit its final dead end. Lawrence Ardoin, a descendant of the legendary Creole accordionist, was working with officials at the state mental institution in Pineville, La. to erect a statue for Amédé, considered by many to be the godfather of zydeco and Cajun music.

But Ardoin is one of 2,469 patients buried in unmarked graves on the hospital grounds. With no way to know which grave holds Amédé, Lawrence Ardoin was giving up. Read more

Terrance Simien’s Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco

Posted on December 17, 2014December 17, 2014 by Julie Miller

Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco is a CD and live show created by musician and educator Terrance Simien. He’s taken the show on the road up and down the eastern seaboard, including a special presentation at the Berklee College of Music for its American Roots Music and African Studies visiting arts program. Read more

Curley Taylor talks about zydeco with Stephanie Renée on 900AM-WURD

Posted on December 11, 2014December 11, 2014 by Bruce Warren

Last weekend Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble kicked off the Philadelphia launch of Zydeco Crossroads with a live concert and dance party at the Kimmel Center. Curley did an interview with Stephanie Renée, host of the radio show The Mojo and the The Recharge on 900AM-WURD. Listen to the interview here.

Zydeco: Still Cookin’ – An essay by University of Pennsylvania professor Dr. Tsitsi Jaji

Posted on December 3, 2014December 10, 2014 by Bruce Warren

University of Pennsylvania professor, author and historian Dr. Tsitsi Jaji explores Zydeco’s past, present and future. Read her essay here

Revisit Sense of Place: Lafayette with Michael Doucet on World Cafe

Posted on December 2, 2014December 2, 2014 by Julie Miller

Michael Doucet (of Beausoleil) sat down with World Cafe’s David Dye for an interview during Sense of Place: Lafayette. The Louisiana musician and university professor covered a multitude of topics during the session, including the history of Creole and Cajun cultures in Southwest Louisiana. Read more.

KRVS’ Diego Martin Perez talks accordion music on a special Latin Roots for World Cafe

Posted on November 26, 2014December 1, 2014 by Julie Miller

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 on the history of Zydeco and why it demands your attention

Posted on November 25, 2014November 24, 2014 by Julie Miller

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 talks childhood memories with Living Blues; watch him play “Down On the Bayou”

Posted on November 24, 2014November 25, 2014 by Julie Miller

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.