Cajun and Zydeco music are the creation of the French-speaking Acadians who relocated to Louisiana from Canada . Both Creole-based sounds have influenced American popular music. Recorded versions are found in movies, television and pop culture while the genre is growing at music and cultural festivals in and around New Orleans.
Only a few instruments such as the Cajun accordion, fiddle, and triangle create basic dance music. The basic rhythm incorporates staccato style notes and fiddle double stops. Each fiddle solo includes a major scale riff, repeated between verses.
Both styles grew in the late 19th century when accordions became affordable to the Creole musicians. The rhythmic tempo matched the waltz and two-step dances commonly practiced in that era. Now the Internet has provided a platform for Cajun, Zydeco and Creole music to expand. Finding Cajun fashion photography on line is inspirational and a growing network of music festivals provide performance opportunities for musicians and dance enthusiasts alike to keep these traditions alive.
Born deep in French Louisiana, far from refrigerant cooled parlors or mansions with granite countertops, the hard-working farmers and fishermen of the bayou created everything for themselves. Tradition was handed down through the generations with no learner permit tests or formal ceremony. At Chowder Radio, we want to do our part to keep these alive far into the future.