Gourt > Arts > Music > Styles > R > Regional and Ethnic > Cajun and Zydeco (8)
Zydeco is a form of folk music, originated in the beginning of the 20th century among the Francophone Creole peoples of south-west Louisiana and influenced by the music of the French-speaking Cajuns. It is heavily syncopated (back-beat), usually fast-tempo, and dominated by the button or piano accordion and a form of a washboard known as a rub-board or frottoir. Originating in Africa, the vest frottoir was introduced to Louisiana in the 1930s. Other instruments include the guitar, bass guitar and drums.
Zydeco's rural beginnings and the prevailing economic conditions at its inception are reflected in the song titles, lyrics, and bluesy vocals. The music arose as a synthesis of traditional Cajun music with African-American traditions that also underpinned R&B and blues. It was known as "la-la"; "zodico" and various other names. Amédé Ardoin made the first recordings of what later became known as zydeco in 1928.
The music was brought to the fringes of the American mainstream in the mid-1950s, with the popularity of Beau Jocque, Clifton Chenier and Boozoo Chavis. In 1954, Boozoo Chavis recorded "Paper in My Shoe". This is considered to be the first modern zydeco recording, though the term "zydeco" was not in use yet (see 1954 in music). After Chavis left the music business, Clifton Chenier became the first major zydeco star and also led to the invention of the word zydeco in 1965. One of his hits was "Les Haricots Sont Pas Salés" (The Snap Beans Aren't Salty - a reference to the singer being too poor to afford salt pork to season the beans) and he said that "Zydeco" was a corruption of les haricots (French for the beans). This may have been his little joke as the term (along with variants such as "zodico") was used earlier to refer to African dance-forms.
More on [ Zydeco ]
Cajun :: Music
Zydeco :: Music
Cajun and Creole :: North American
Live in MA drove to RI to dance Zydeco and Cajun last night.
Standolyn (Standolyn Robertson) Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:35:59 -0000
Live in MA drove to RI to dance Zydeco and Cajun last night.
Balfa Toujours ("Balfa still and forever") is a cajun band based in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, cajun, zydeco http://icio.us/qflnzv
profitsee (bagel) Sun, 06 Dec 2009 06:20:09 -0000
Balfa Toujours ("Balfa still and forever") is a cajun band based in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, cajun, zydeco http://icio.us/qflnzv
TheIND: Grammy nominees announced: January canât come quick enough for a handful of Cajun and Zydeco musicians... http://bit.ly/670t70
LFT411 (LFT411) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:40:18 -0000
TheIND: Grammy nominees announced: January can’t come quick enough for a handful of Cajun and Zydeco musicians... http://bit.ly/670t70
And the Best Cajun/Zydeco Album Grammy nominees are ... http://tinyurl.com/yz5nv68 (But there's also KOL, Lady Gaga and more ...)
AccentOnLife (Krista Richmond) Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:15:52 -0000
And the Best Cajun/Zydeco Album Grammy nominees are ... http://tinyurl.com/yz5nv68 (But there's also KOL, Lady Gaga and more ...)
Catonsville - Cajun/Zydeco Dance, Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe hosted by Somebody Scream Productions, Dec. 4: http://ow.ly/IeNz
EllicottCitynet (Jeremy Kipp Clark) Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:49:39 -0000
Catonsville - Cajun/Zydeco Dance, Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe hosted by Somebody Scream Productions, Dec. 4: http://ow.ly/IeNz
Congrats to the Cajun/Zydeco Grammy nominees. And guess what was nominated for best soundtrack?!?! :) http://tinyurl.com/yz5nv68
AccentOnLife (Krista Richmond) Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:19:27 -0000
Congrats to the Cajun/Zydeco Grammy nominees. And guess what was nominated for best soundtrack?!?! :) http://tinyurl.com/yz5nv68
All Music Guide: Cajun and Zydeco - Definitions of the styles and subgenres including important albums and key artists.
Arn Burkhoff's Northeast USA Cajun and Zydeco Schedule - Festivals and other events, directory of links to local bands and venues, upcoming and previous Mardi Gras schedules, and links to other event guides arranged by state.
Cajun and Zydeco in Nederland - E-zine with concert dates, CD and event reviews, MP3s, English and French lyrics, articles, and artist profiles. [English/Dutch]
Meta Description: [ Cajun en Zydeco muziek in Nederland, Online Magazine door Willem Versloot, met concertagenda,
CD besprekingen, MP3 muziek, foto's van vele muzikanten,festivalverslagen, reisverhalen, links naar Louisiana e.a. ]
Cajun Radio and Zydeco Radio Guide - A comprehensive guide to Cajun and Zydeco radio programs in the United States. Also featuring a link guide to Cajun and Zydeco culture, genealogy, festivals, regional dance newsletters, bands, dance instructors and music.
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Cajun Zydeco Web Resources - San Francisco Bay Area Cajun and zydeco music and dance information, including CD, book and event reviews, special events, recommended related sites, and a Northern California schedule of events.
Meta Description: [
Cajun/Zydeco Music and Dance - A large collection of links related to Cajun and Zydeco music, dance, and culture.
Meta Description: [ The first website devoted to Cajun & Zydeco Music and Dance throughout the world. ]
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Caneman2's Cajun Links - A list compiled by a fan, covering cajun music, acadian creole genealogy, food recipes, jazz, blues, zydeco and French music, and Louisiana.
Meta Description: [ Experience Southwest Louisiana Cajun zydeco dance party music New Orleans Traditionaljazz blues music clubs,delta Swamp Pop,Nawlins Mardigras entertainment, dixieland cajun traditions,Cajun Zydeco ]
Louisana Sue - Newsletter with schedules for Cajun and Zydeco band tours, dance camps, and festivals in California and Nevada. Includes West Coast Cajun/Zydeco Music and Dance Association membership information, a history of the styles in California, and links.
Mango Jam - Cajun and Zydeco band based in Burlington, Vermont. Includes gigs and MP3 music samples.
Swamp Music - Specialist agents for Cajun bands in the UK. Includes band profiles, gig listings, CD sales, and background information.
The Cajun-Zydeco Connection of Huntsville - Promoting live Cajun and Zydeco music, dances, dance instruction and the culture of Southwest Louisiana in the North Alabama area. Includes event listings, photographs, and links.
Meta Description: [ Information on Cajun and Zydeco dance, dance instruction, music and culture in the North Alabama area. ]
ZydE-Magic Cajun Zydeco Music and Dance - Includes international festival and special events information, links to worldwide bands, articles, and photographs.
Meta Description: [ Leading Cajun Zydeco Music and Dance WEB site
containing National and International Cajun and Zydeco Festival and Special Events information. First stop Cajun and Zydeco link site. ]
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