Music to Make your Feet Move: Cajun & Zydeco

by Naomi Black

On Saturday, April 18th, the Mermaid’s Market will be welcoming the Bayou Brothers to Puerto Penasco as they introduce us to the great sounds of Cajun and Zydeco music! This will definitely be a highlight of this year’s Pirate and Mermaid Extravaganza!

But, what is Cajun and Zydeco music? It is often thought to be the music of New Orleans, or perhaps, the music of Louisiana. Modern bands often intermingle and share the songs, instruments and sounds of Cajun and Zydeco music. However, these two sounds - although similar - have differing histories.

Herman Fuselier wrote an explanation of these two terms. In an article called ‘Zydeco is Not Cajun Music’ he defines Cajun music as the “waltzes and two-steps originally played by the white descendants of the Acadians” (Acadians are also referred to as Cajuns). While he defines Zydeco music as “the rhythm-and-blues based accordion grooves of black Creoles.”

So let’s have a quick history lesson, shall we . . . Why not?

In the early 1600’s, French settlers immigrated to Acadia (present-day Nova Scotia, Canada). However, they were expelled in 1755 and many moved to Southern Louisiana. They came to live in the swamps and marshes of the Mississippi River Delta and many endured a hard life of physical labor. They came to be known as Cajuns and their music also became known as Cajun: simple songs of humming, rhythmic clapping and foot stamping, along with a violin or fiddle as the main instrument. On Saturday nights, the furniture in a house was moved to the side to make way for dancing.

This was the beginnings of Cajun music.

In the 1920’s, Cajun and Creole musical styles were remarkably similar. Both consisted of two-steps and waltzes (which were considered quite dirty and scandalous by the old folks) featuring the fiddle. The German settlers in the area had introduced accordions which were adopted by both Cajun and Creole musicians. An accordion was a perfect instrument as its loud sound cut across the noisy dance floors!

The term “Creole" comes from a Portuguese word meaning a slave born in the master's household. This term in the Louisiana area generally referred to the descendants of freed slaves. Creole music in the 1930’s and 1940’s was often called “la-la.” In the late 1940’s, Creole musicians became inspired by the rhythm of blues and jazz. They soon eliminated the fiddle and from then on, the music of the Creoles diverged from Cajun music.

In the 1950’s, Clifton Chenier coined the word Zydeco for his music.

For whatever reason, it is generally accepted this comes from a French phrase

meaning “the snapbeans are not salty.”

Clifton’s brother Cleveland played along side him using spoons and a washboard. Clifton soon had a local metal worker shape a corrugated tin board with a shoulder strap and the first vest frottoir, or rubboard was invented. This became the trademark instrument of Zydeco.

In the 1970’s and 1980’s, Zydeco continued to attract new fans throughout the nation as Louisianans moved to California and Zydeco became popular as far away as the West Coast! Zydeco and Cajun music continues to evolve as musicians tour the world and absorb new influences.