Who is known as the king of zydeco music?

Who is known as the king of zydeco music?

Clifton Chenier
Clifton Chenier, the Louisiana accordionist and singer whose fans called him ”the king of zydeco,” died Saturday evening at Lafayette General Hospital in Lafayette, La. He was 62 years old.

What kind of music does Clifton Chenier play?

zydeco
Clifton Chenier (June 25, 1925 – December 12, 1987), a Louisiana French-speaking native of Leonville, Louisiana, near Opelousas, was an eminent performer and recording artist of zydeco, which arose from Cajun and Creole music, with R&B, jazz, and blues influences. He played the accordion and won a Grammy Award in 1983.

Who created zydeco music?

Its origins predate the United States as a country, but it evolved into its present form in the 1950s under the influence of Clifton Chenier, who is often called the king of zydeco.

Who was the first zydeco singer?

In the early 1950s, two musicians fused traditional Creole dance music with rhythm and blues instruments, resulting in the music that we recognize today as zydeco. Clifton Chenier, widely recognized as the King of Zydeco, was a virtuoso of the piano accordion, an instrument with a full range of musical possibilities.

Is Clifton Chenier still alive?

Deceased (1925–1987)
Clifton Chenier/Living or Deceased

What language is zydeco sung in?

Zydeco music is sung in both English and French, with English being the preferred language for most modern bands. Many zydeco songs are simply reworkings of R&B or blues songs, many are modern versions of very old Cajun songs, and many are originals.

Who invented swamp pop?

Swamp Pop is the creation of John Petersen and Collin Cormier, two cousins from Lafayette, Louisiana. Collin, the owner and chef of a popular food truck, recognized the popularity of real cane sugar sodas among his lunch-time customers.

What is the origin of zydeco music?

zydeco, Form of dance music from southwestern Louisiana, U.S., with roots in French, African American, and Afro-Caribbean styles. Similar to the music of the Cajuns (displaced French Canadians who settled in Louisiana), zydeco was created by the Creoles (those of African heritage in Louisianan French culture).

What caused the creation of zydeco music?

Zydeco originally evolved from Cajun, an Old World-rooted style of music brought over from Europe more than 200 years ago. This fast tempo sound evolved in the early 20th century from an old Louisiana folk tradition called “La-La” music, which was the shared melody of the Cajun and Creole cultures.

Is zydeco a Creole or Cajun?

Cajun music is the music of the white Cajuns of south Louisiana, while zydeco is the music of the black Creoles of the same region. Both share common origins and influences, and there is much overlap in the repertoire and style of each.

What did Clifton Chenier father do for a living?

Chenier was born to a family of sharecroppers (tenant farmers) in south-central Louisiana and spent much of his youth working in the cotton fields. He received his first accordion as a gift from his father, who was an established accordionist in the local house-party (dance) and Saturday-dinner circuit.

How is zydeco music different from Cajun music?

Cajun music and zydeco are closely related parallel music forms. Cajun music is the music of the white Cajuns of south Louisiana, while zydeco is the music of the black Creoles of the same region. Cajun music is a blend of the cultural ingredients found in south Louisiana.

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