Zydeco History and Its MeaningSource: Wikipedia.org
I have been asked many times about Zydeco music and where is it from. Not to disrespect any Zydeco fans and artists, I too had the same question since I learned of its existence a few years back. I was invited to several Zydeco events and shows, which were very enjoyable and have since love the sound as well as the people and artists who produce the music.
I did some research on Zydeco music and how it came into existence to enlighten those who have asked the question and I gratefully invite anyone to join me on educating anyone who is interested in learning about the Zydeco market.
With respect to new Zydeco artists such as Lil’ Nate and Leon Chavis who has brought forth the essence and fire to the new Zydeco sound. The newest addition to the Zydeco world Kenne’ Wayne has brought the 808 boom/bass drum sound, his power house vocals and a southern soul groove to the genre. He was raised in the heart of Zydeco country and shared the stage with artists such as the late Roy Carrier, John Delafose, Rocking Sydney, Sam Brothers 5 and The Zydeco Force Band. Kenne’ Wayne grew up listening to great Zydeco artists such as Boozoo Chavis, Clifton Chenier, Marcel Dugar , Buckwheat Zydeco and many, many more.
Kenne’ Wayne’s new single “Ride It like a Cowboy the Zydeco Version” has shocked the Zydeco & Southern Soul world. Because he is known for his up tempo southern soul and smooth ballads, he came back with a whole new sound that has stunned both genres. While some may have questioned his ability to create a Zydeco song, it has quickly become the number one song in the genre.
He knew in order to create a Zydeco song he had to respect the history and value of the Zydeco music. Although Kenne’ Wayne may not use the accordion personally, he found a talented zydeco musician by the name of Leon Chavis to assist him during recording of his new hit single. In all Kenne’ Wayne has used the right ingredients to create this new sound, which he calls Zydesoul, because it’s where Zydeco meets Southern Soul.
Zydeco (zī`dĭkō’) (French: “les haricots” or “le zaricot”, English: “green beans” or “snap beans”) is a form of American roots or folk music. It evolved in southwest Louisiana in the early 19th century from forms of Creole music. The rural black Creoles of southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas still sing in Louisiana Creole French.Usually fast tempo and dominated by the button or piano accordion and a form of a washboard known as a “rub-board,” “scrub-board,” or frottoir, zydeco music was originally created at house dances, where families and friends gathered for socializing. It was also often just called French music or le musique Creole known as “la-la.” Amédé Ardoin made the first recordings of Creole music in 1928. This Creole music served as a foundation for what later became known as zydeco.
Artists that use the keyboards only, to simulate the sounds of the accordion, the rub-board and other instruments when recording a zydeco song, can not capture the true essence of zydeco music and is shun by the people. Zydeco artists take pride in the use of their instruments and fans truly appreciate the sounds from the instruments.
While Zydeco is a genre that has become synonymous with the cultural and musical identity of Louisiana and an important part of the musical landscape of the United States, this southern black music tradition has also now achieved much wider appreciation. Because of the migration of the French-speaking blacks and multiracial Creoles, the mixing of Cajun and Creole musicians, and the warm embrace of people from outside these cultures, there are multiple hotbeds of Zydeco: Louisiana, Texas, Oregon and California, and Europe as far north as Scandinavia. There are Zydeco festivals throughout America and Europe.
Zydeco music is performed at festivals, schools, performing art centers and large corporate events. It is performed for presidents and celebrities, heard on cinema soundtracks and used to advertise everything from autos to toothpaste to antacids, pharmaceuticals and candy bars. Rolling Stone, The Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine among many others have featured it. It is played on radio stations around the world and on Internet radio.
Sometimes the music moved to the Catholic Church community center, as Creoles were mostly Catholic. Later it moved to rural dance halls and nightclubs. As a result, the music integrated waltzes, shuffles, two-steps, blues, rock and roll, and most dance music forms of the era. Today, the tradition of change and evolution in the music continues. It stays current while integrating even more genres such as R&B, soul, brass band, reggae, urban hip, ska, rock, Afro-Caribbean and other styles, in addition to the traditional forms.
In the mid-1950s, the popularity of Clifton Chenier brought zydeco to the fringes of the American mainstream. He signed with Specialty Records, the same label that first recorded Little Richard and Sam Cooke for wide audiences.
In the mid-1980s, Rockin’ Sidney brought international attention to zydeco music with his hit tune “My Toot Toot.” Clifton Chenier, Rockin’ Sidney and Queen Ida, all garnered Grammy awards during this pivotal period, opening the door to the emerging artists who would continue the traditions.
John Delafose was wildly popular regionally. The music took a major turn because emerging bands burst onto the national scene to fuse a new exuberance, new sounds and styles with the music. Boozoo Chavis, John Delafose, Roy Carrier, Zydeco Force, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, the Sam Brother, Terrance Simien, Chubby Carrier, and many others were breathing new life into the music. Zydeco superstar Buckwheat Zydeco was already well into his career, and also signed his deal with major label Island Records in the mid 1980s. Combined with the national popularity of Creole and Cajun food, and the feature film The Big Easy set in New Orleans, zydeco music had a revival. New artists were cultivated and the music took a more innovative direction for increased mainstream popularity.
Young zydeco musicians, such as C. J. Chenier, Chubby Carrier, Geno Delafose, Terrance Simien, Nathan Williams and others began touring internationally during the 1980s. Beau Jocque was a monumental innovator who infused zydeco with powerful beats and bass lines in the 90s, adding striking production and elements of funk, hip-hop and rap. Young performers like Chris Ardoin, Keith Frank, and Zydeco Force added further by tying the sound to the bass drum rhythm to accentuate or syncopate the backbeat even more. This style is sometimes called “double clutching.”
To make a few things clear about artists that have produced a track without using the actual rub-board, accordion and/or bass drum while recording or performing, doesn’t know the true value, history or respect for zydeco music. Artists who have produced a song and titled it Zydeco whatever and it is not playing in the Zydeco market, it is just a song with a title. To know a true Zydeco song or artist, listen for the sounds of the accordion, rub-board and most times the bass drum. True Zydeco artists will also have these instruments onstage during performances with their band and sometimes even during a track show.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zydeco
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
