The Accordion in the Americasː Klezmer, Polka, Tango, Zydeco, and More!

An invention of the Industrial Revolution, the accordion provided the less affluent with an inexpensive, loud, portable, and durable "one-man-orchestra" capable of producing melody, harmony, and bass all at once. Imported from Europe into the Americas, the accordion with its distinctive sound became a part of the aural landscape for millions of people but proved to be divisive: while the accordion formed an integral part of working-class musical expression, bourgeois commentators often derided it as vulgar and tasteless. This rich collection considers the accordion and its myriad forms, from the concertina, button accordion, and piano accordion familiar in European and North American music to the exotic-sounding South American bandone\u00f3n and the sanfoninha. Capturing the instrument's spread and adaptation to many different cultures in North and South America, contributors illuminate how the accordion factored into power struggles over aesthetic values between elites and working-class people who often were members of immigrant and/or marginalized ethnic communities. Specific histories and cultural contexts discussed include the accordion in Brazil, Argentine tango, accordion traditions in Colombia, cross-border accordion culture between Mexico and Texas, Cajun and Creole identity, working-class culture near Lake Superior, the virtuoso Italian-American and Klezmer accordions, Native American dance music, and American avant-garde. Contributors are Mar\u00eda Susana Azzi, Egberto Berm\u00fadez, Mark DeWitt, Joshua Horowitz, Sydney Hutchinson, Marion Jacobson, James P. Leary, Megwen Loveless, Richard March, Cathy Ragland, Helena Simonett, Jared Snyder, Janet L. Sturman, and Christine F. Zinni.

Lynn August & The Hot August Knights • Zydeco Groove

Biography by Jason Ankeny
One of zydeco's most versatile performers, Lynn August spiked his native southwestern Louisiana sound with elements of pop, gospel and R&B. Born in Lafayette on August 7, 1948, the blind August was encouraged by his mother to pursue a career in music, and he was raised on a steady diet of zydeco, New Orleans rhythm and blues and swamp-pop. After learning to play drums on an old wash basin, at the age of 12 he was recruited to play percussion with the legendary Esquerita, who convinced him to also take up the piano; a few years later, August made the switch to the Hammond B-3 organ as well. During the mid-1960s, he played with a young Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, later mounting a solo career as well as sitting in with a variety of local swamp-pop combos; he also led a big band, and even directed a church choir. In 1988, August turned to the accordion and began his zydeco career in earnest; forming the Hot August Knights with tenor saxophonist John Hart, he also studied field recordings made in 1934 by archivist Alan Lomax to absorb the original Creole style of "jure" singing into his own contemporary aesthetic. After signing to the Maison de Soul label, August debuted with It's Party Time, followed in 1989 by Zydeco Groove; a move to Black Top heralded the release of 1992's Creole Cruiser, with the acclaimed Sauce Piquante appearing a year later.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lynn-august-mn0000201557/biography

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Biografía de Jason Ankeny
Uno de los artistas más versátiles del zydeco, Lynn August añadió a su sonido nativo del suroeste de Luisiana elementos de pop, gospel y R&B. Nacido en Lafayette el 7 de agosto de 1948, el ciego August fue animado por su madre a seguir una carrera en la música, y fue criado con una dieta constante de zydeco, rhythm and blues de Nueva Orleans y swamp-pop. Después de aprender a tocar la batería en un viejo lavabo, a la edad de 12 años fue reclutado para tocar la percusión con la legendaria Esquerita, quien le convenció para que también se dedicara al piano; unos años más tarde, August hizo el cambio al órgano Hammond B-3 también. A mediados de la década de 1960, tocó con un joven Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, más tarde montando una carrera de solista, así como participando en una variedad de combos locales de swamp-pop; también dirigió una gran banda, e incluso dirigió un coro de la iglesia. En 1988, August se dedicó al acordeón y comenzó su carrera de zydeco en serio; formando los Hot August Knights con el saxofonista tenor John Hart, también estudió las grabaciones de campo realizadas en 1934 por el archivero Alan Lomax para absorber el estilo criollo original de canto "jure" en su propia estética contemporánea. Después de firmar con el sello Maison de Soul, August debutó con It's Party Time, seguido en 1989 por Zydeco Groove; un paso a Black Top anunció el lanzamiento del Cruiser Criollo de 1992, con el aclamado Sauce Piquante apareciendo un año después.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lynn-august-mn0000201557/biography

 

 

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Cajun and Zydeco Dance Music in Northern California

Queen Ida. Danny Poullard. Documentary filmmaker Les Blank. Chris Strachwitz and Arhoolie Records. These are names that are familiar to many fans of Cajun music and zydeco, and they have one other thing in common--longtime residence in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are all part of a vibrant scene of dancing and live Louisiana-French music that has evolved over several decades.

Cajun and Zydeco Dance Music in Northern California traces how this region of California has been able to develop and sustain dances several times a week with more than a dozen bands. Description of this active regional scene opens into a discussion of several historical trends that have affected life and music in Louisiana and the nation. The book portrays the diversity of people who have come together to adopt Cajun and Creole dance music as a way to cope with a globalized, media-saturated world.

Ethnomusicologist Mark F. DeWitt innovatively weaves together interviews with musicians and dancers (some from Louisiana, some not), analysis of popular media, participant observation as a musician and dancer, and historical perspectives from wartime black migration patterns, the civil rights movement, American folk and blues revivals, California counterculture, and the rise of cultural tourism in "Cajun Country." In so doing, he reveals the multifaceted appeal of celebrating life on the dance floor, Louisiana-French style.

Rocking Dopsie • Doin' The Zydeco

Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers • Top Of The Mountain

Dwayne (Dopsie) Rubin hails from one of the most influential Zydeco families in the world - Although inspired by tradition, Dwayne has developed his own high energy style that defies existing stereotypes and blazes a refreshingly distinct path for 21st century Zydeco music - This singer/songwriter and accordionist has performed all over the world since debuting his band, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, at age 19.

The Louisiana native writes both the lyrics and music for his songs and describes the upcoming album as soulful with a touch of blues and old time zydeco feel.

Dwayne Dopsie, grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana,teaching his self how to play accordion watching videos of his father and Clifton Chenier and recording his self with a video camera and going back and watch it and playing over and over for hours until it was right  - The knowledge of Dwayne’s musical ability along with zydeco Hellraisers band members are Combined, to have over 100 years of experience playing Zydeco music and it shows in every performance - The energy, true talent, and exuberance that Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers emit from stage makes it obvious that there is no competition for this band.

They also add a bit of rhythm and blues, funk, rock and roll, reggae and pop to their performances, making them a very versatile choice for any audience - This Indie artist was named “The Hottest Accordionist” in America for his ability to both work the crowd and pump out musical harmony in grandiose fashion - Dwayne doesn’t confine himself to the stage; he interacts with the crowd, blurring the barrier between performer and audience - Audiences jump to their feet energized by Dwayne’s musical innovation, charismatic performance and sheer, raw talent - His ability to capture the imagination, heart and soul of his audience makes Dwayne one of today’s most dynamic performers.

https://dwaynedopsie.com/biography

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Dwayne (Dopsie) Rubin proviene de una de las familias Zydeco más influyentes del mundo. Aunque inspirado por la tradición, Dwayne ha desarrollado su propio estilo de alta energía que desafía los estereotipos existentes y marca un camino refrescantemente distinto para la música Zydeco del siglo XXI. Este cantante/compositor y acordeonista ha actuado en todo el mundo desde que debutó su banda, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, a los 19 años.

El nativo de Louisiana escribe tanto las letras como la música de sus canciones y describe el próximo álbum como conmovedor, con un toque de blues y el viejo sentimiento zydeco.

Dwayne Dopsie, creció en Lafayette, Louisiana, enseñándose a sí mismo a tocar el acordeón viendo videos de su padre y Clifton Chenier y grabándose con una cámara de video y volviendo a verlo y tocando una y otra vez durante horas hasta que estuvo bien. El conocimiento de la habilidad musical de Dwayne junto con los miembros de la banda de Zydeco Hellraisers se combinan, para tener más de 100 años de experiencia tocando música de Zydeco y se muestra en cada actuación. La energía, el verdadero talento y la exuberancia que Dwayne Dopsie y los Zydeco Hellraisers emiten desde el escenario hace evidente que no hay competencia para esta banda.

También añaden un poco de rhythm and blues, funk, rock and roll, reggae y pop a sus actuaciones, lo que las convierte en una opción muy versátil para cualquier público. Este artista Indie fue nombrado "El Acordeonista más caliente" en América por su capacidad de trabajar con la multitud y bombear la armonía musical de manera grandiosa. Dwayne no se limita al escenario, sino que interactúa con la multitud, borrando la barrera entre el intérprete y el público. El público se pone de pie con energía gracias a la innovación musical de Dwayne, su carismática actuación y su puro y crudo talento. Su habilidad para capturar la imaginación, el corazón y el alma de su público hace de Dwayne uno de los intérpretes más dinámicos de hoy en día.

https://dwaynedopsie.com/biography

dwaynedopsie.com ...

 

Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers • Calling Your Name

 

 

Dwayne (Dopsie) Rubin hails from one of the most influential Zydeco families in the world - Although inspired by tradition, Dwayne has developed his own high energy style that defies existing stereotypes and blazes a refreshingly distinct path for 21st century Zydeco music - This singer/songwriter and accordionist has performed all over the world since debuting his band, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, at age 19.

The Louisiana native writes both the lyrics and music for his songs and describes the upcoming album as soulful with a touch of blues and old time zydeco feel.

Dwayne Dopsie, grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana,teaching his self how to play accordion watching videos of his father and Clifton Chenier and recording his self with a video camera and going back and watch it and playing over and over for hours until it was right  - The knowledge of Dwayne’s musical ability along with zydeco Hellraisers band members are Combined, to have over 100 years of experience playing Zydeco music and it shows in every performance - The energy, true talent, and exuberance that Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers emit from stage makes it obvious that there is no competition for this band.

They also add a bit of rhythm and blues, funk, rock and roll, reggae and pop to their performances, making them a very versatile choice for any audience - This Indie artist was named “The Hottest Accordionist” in America for his ability to both work the crowd and pump out musical harmony in grandiose fashion - Dwayne doesn’t confine himself to the stage; he interacts with the crowd, blurring the barrier between performer and audience - Audiences jump to their feet energized by Dwayne’s musical innovation, charismatic performance and sheer, raw talent - His ability to capture the imagination, heart and soul of his audience makes Dwayne one of today’s most dynamic performers.

https://dwaynedopsie.com/biography

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Dwayne (Dopsie) Rubin proviene de una de las familias Zydeco más influyentes del mundo. Aunque inspirado por la tradición, Dwayne ha desarrollado su propio estilo de alta energía que desafía los estereotipos existentes y marca un camino refrescantemente distinto para la música Zydeco del siglo XXI. Este cantante/compositor y acordeonista ha actuado en todo el mundo desde que debutó su banda, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, a los 19 años.

El nativo de Louisiana escribe tanto las letras como la música de sus canciones y describe el próximo álbum como conmovedor, con un toque de blues y el viejo sentimiento zydeco.

Dwayne Dopsie, creció en Lafayette, Louisiana, enseñándose a sí mismo a tocar el acordeón viendo videos de su padre y Clifton Chenier y grabándose con una cámara de video y volviendo a verlo y tocando una y otra vez durante horas hasta que estuvo bien. El conocimiento de la habilidad musical de Dwayne junto con los miembros de la banda de Zydeco Hellraisers se combinan, para tener más de 100 años de experiencia tocando música de Zydeco y se muestra en cada actuación. La energía, el verdadero talento y la exuberancia que Dwayne Dopsie y los Zydeco Hellraisers emiten desde el escenario hace evidente que no hay competencia para esta banda.

También añaden un poco de rhythm and blues, funk, rock and roll, reggae y pop a sus actuaciones, lo que las convierte en una opción muy versátil para cualquier público. Este artista Indie fue nombrado "El Acordeonista más caliente" en América por su capacidad de trabajar con la multitud y bombear la armonía musical de manera grandiosa. Dwayne no se limita al escenario, sino que interactúa con la multitud, borrando la barrera entre el intérprete y el público. El público se pone de pie con energía gracias a la innovación musical de Dwayne, su carismática actuación y su puro y crudo talento. Su habilidad para capturar la imaginación, el corazón y el alma de su público hace de Dwayne uno de los intérpretes más dinámicos de hoy en día.

https://dwaynedopsie.com/biography

 

 

Dwayne Dopsie ...