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.
Bayou Brothers is one such California band, playing both Cajun and Zydeco music. The Bayou Brothers sound is straight out of Louisiana's bayou festivals and backyard crawfish boils! Their endless enthusiasm promises to deliver a rousing, rollicking, foot-stompin' musical gumbo you will not soon forget!
Get your first taste early in the day at the Mermaid’s Market and then join us for a fantastic evening presentation! Winners of the San Diego Blues Festival and San Diego’s favorite Zydeco sound, you will not want to miss the Bayou Brothers!
Mark your calendars and kept in contact for more
details!
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Article Reference Material:
Origins of Zydeco and
Cajun Music by Tom Dempsey
Brief History of Cajun, Creole,and Zydeco online
research at www.lsue.edu
Zydeco is
Not Cajun Music by Herman Fuselier
What is the difference between Cajun Music and Zydeco? by Megan Romer
Introduction to Cajun, Louisiana Creole & Zydeco Music by Jim Hobbs
Creoles by
Helen Bush Caver & Mary T. Williams
