Lori Archer-Smith 2017-01-13 03:55:03
Groove to the sounds of Louisiana’s Creole culture. Zydeco, often called la-la music, is the bluesy dance music of the Creoles, a group of people of mixed African, Native American and European descent from south-central and southwest Louisiana. Like jazz, no one knows for sure where the name originated. Some say zydeco is an African word. Others say it came from the Atakapa American Indian tribe who have long made their home along the Gulf of Mexico coastline. And yet another group believes it came from the lyrics of a popular Cajun dance song called Les Haricots Sont Pas Salés. Translated, it means “the snap beans are not salty.” In French Creole, it sounds like “leh-zy-dee-co nuh sohn pah salay.” In the big scheme of things, it doesn’t matter a hill of beans where the name came from. What does matter is that it’s not going away anytime soon. Zydeco is fast-paced with an irresistible beat. When you hear it, your feet will recognize it. The roots of zydeco go back to jure, a form of religious hand-clapping and foot-stomping used by field hands to give thanks. Zydeco bands are centered around an accordion (squeezebox) player and a frottoir player. The frottoir is a metal washboard worn like a vest and played with spoons. There’s also usually a guitar player, electric bass and a drummer. In 1950, Boozoo Chavis released Paper in My Shoe, the first hit zydeco record. Clifton Chenier recorded several hits in the ’50s as well, earning him the moniker the “King of Zydeco.” The stars of zydeco today include Chubby Carrier, Buckwheat Zydeco, plus Terrance Simien, Rockin’ Dopsie and Rosie Ledet. Louisiana loves its zydeco and, apparently, we’re not alone. These days, zydeco can be heard around the world, but the real thing is still here on the bayous. You can’t go to a musical festival in Louisiana without hearing the whine of the squeezebox. This year, we invite you to come hear zydeco at The Experience Louisiana Festival in Eunice, the Cajun Country Jam in Gonzales, the Voice of the Wetlands Festival in Houma and Festival International in Lafayette. In New Orleans, check out the new Jazz in the Park Tremé Art and Music Fest, the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (aka “Jazz Fest”) Zydeco is just one of the eclectic sounds you’ll hear in Louisiana! Hear more at LouisianaTravel.com/music.
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Zydeco
https://digital.milespartnership.com/article/Zydeco/2687871/375084/article.html