Boozoo Chavis (born: Wilson Anthony Chavis) was one of the pioneers of zydeco, the Cajun and blues hybrid originating in southwest Louisiana. Although his self-composed 1954 single, "Paper in My Shoes," was the first zydeco hit, Chavis was distrustful of the music industry and refused to perform publicly or record again until 1984. In an... [+] Read More

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An admitted child of the Cajun revival, Daigrepont only began regarding Cajun music as something other than the music of his grandparents' generation when he heard such young Turks as Michael Doucet and Zachary Richard in the '70s. Ironically, this singer and accordionist developed a style somewhat more traditional than that of his mentors.... [+] Read More

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Contemporary zydeco's most popular performer, accordionist Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural was the natural successor to the throne vacated by the death of his mentor Clifton Chenier; infusing his propulsive party music with strains of rock and R&B, his urbanized sound -- complete with touches of synthesizer and trumpet -- married traditional and... [+] Read More

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The son of influential Cajun accordionist and songwriter Iry LeJeune, Eddie LeJuene was only five years old when his father was killed in a tragic automobile accident. Although most of his knowledge of his father's music came from old 78 rpm records, LeJeune has successfully continued his family' s great musical heritage. According to Time Out... [+] Read More

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Southwest Louisiana's traditional Cajun music is played with exuberance and dance-inspiring energy by File. While accordion player/percussionist/lead vocalist Ward Lomand and bassist/acoustic guitarist/vocalist Kevin Shearin are the only original members, the group continues to maintain the high energy of its earliest performances.
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John Delafose and his band the Eunice Playboys bridged the gap between zydeco's roots and its contemporary sound with a mastery matched by few of their peers; despite an affinity for early Creole styles, French lyrics and two-step waltz rhythms, they played with all of the fiery intensity demanded by modern-day audiences, tapping into a wide... [+] Read More

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One of zydeco's most versatile performers, Lynn August spiked his native southwestern Louisiana sound with elements of pop, gospel and R&B. Born in Lafayette on August 7, 1948, the blind August was encouraged by his mother to pursue a career in music, and he was raised on a steady diet of zydeco, New Orleans rhythm and blues and swamp-pop. After... [+] Read More

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Since the mid '70s, Doucet has been one of the dominant figures of the Cajun music revival, respected for his scholarship and admired for his showmanship. On the one hand Doucet dredges up ancient Cajun tunes with medieval French roots, and on the other plays flamboyant fiddle with Beausoleil. Aside from Beausoleil, singer and fiddler Doucet has... [+] Read More

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Nathan Williams is the leader of the Zydeco Cha Chas. His stylings on the piano accordion have made him one of the most-admired players in the zydeco scene, following in Clifton Chenier's and Buckwheat Zydeco's huge footsteps. Nathan Williams was the youngest of seven children and grew up in St. Martinville, LA. Times were hard for the Williams... [+] Read More

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With his 1985 novelty smash "My Toot Toot," Rockin' Sidney scored zydeco's first true international hit. Born Sidney Semien on April 9, 1938 in Lebeau, Louisiana, he began playing harmonica and guitar professionally while in his teens, and made his first R&B-styled recordings on the Fame and Jin imprints during the late 1950s; his first regional... [+] Read More

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