Welcome to old and new friends who are interested in discussing Cajun and other diatonic accordions, along with some occasional lagniappe....



CAJUN ACCORDION DISCUSSION GROUP

 

General Forum
Start a New Topic 
Author
Comment
Starting an LSU Cajun Band?

To whom this may concern,

Hello, my name is Colt and I am a sophomore at LSU in Baton Rouge. I am originally from the Acadiana area, Kaplan to be exact. I am an accordion player who treasures my Cajun culture, music, and heritage. I have done a few solo performances at events at LSU featuring the Alma Mater and several fight songs. I individually haven't found any students my age at LSU to form a Cajun band with so that is why I have been performing by myself. However, I believe that by forming a Traditional Music Ensemble like that of what is at UL, will help engage more Cajun musicians in Baton Rouge as well as spread awareness of the Cajun Culture throughout the state of Louisiana. I also found out that McNeese created its own Zydeco student band called the Zyde-Pokes this year. Their university President was actually the one that spearheaded this effort. This is great that both schools have started these such bands and ensembles. I would love to get LSU on board and join the list. I am in need of finding young LSU student Cajun musicians to join and local Baton Rouge musicians that would like to mentor/teach this possible band. I am open to any advice and collaboration from y'all. Please reply to this post or email me personally if you can be of assistance to me.

I wanted to contact y'all for some advice on how to approach the appropriate members at LSU about this idea. My idea is for us to offer this "Cajun Ensemble Band" to any student with a Cajun/Zydeco music instrument talent regardless of their major. This group would be lead by a chosen professor with Cajun/Zydeco expertise and/or alumni/local Cajun or Zydeco musicians. My idea would be to have this band play school music at school events and/or special events. If possible, I would like the group to play at basketball or baseball games. I think adding a cultural education component as well as individual lessons could also serve to be beneficial. Jam sessions and festivals would be a possibility. Thanks for reading this post and I hope to hear from y'all soon.


I appreciate all of you taking the time to share all of your knowledge and expertise on this discussion board. It allows the younger generation, like myself, to keep this music going as well as learn from the ones before them. I am grateful for this discussion board and hope to continue to learn from all of you. Thanks and have a great week.

Re: Starting an LSU Cajun Band?

Not sure what your band will be like, but your first tune had better be this song by this Kaplan (Riceville) native.....

L.S.U. French Waltz

L.S.U. French Waltz




WF

Re: Starting an LSU Cajun Band?

Thanks for the song suggestion. I will be sure to include it in our playlist.

Re: Starting an LSU Cajun Band?

It's a later (1956-1957?) adaptation of Iry Lejeune's 1954 "Duralde Waltz". Wilson Granger, who had previously tried get it known as "Bayou Chico Waltz" in 1953, decided to rework it with Iry.
This song is Dewey Balfa's second recording session, and his first with Nathan. Possibly Cleveland Deshotel on fiddle, Jr Benoit on guitar, Jakce Mier on steel guitar and Thomas Langley on drums.

WF

Re: Starting an LSU Cajun Band?

My suggestion is pick one or the other. It's Cajun or zydeco! You can't be traditional and have zydeco in your music. It /my ass to Cajun/zydeco that's a marketing gimmick. Examples of ****ty music is country rock and zyde/Cajun.

Re: Starting an LSU Cajun Band?

That's a great point Mr. Jerry. I am trying for specifically Cajun but if I don't get enough people that play those instruments, I might have to turn to an alternative genre. I totally get your reference of not trying to allow two types of genre to coexist.


Does anyone know of any young Cajun musicians that are looking to find a Cajun band in Baton Rouge or in the Acadiana area? Would getting involved in the local CFMA chapters be good for young musicians? Do you support this idea of LSU trying to start a Cajun band?


Thanks for the advice and feedback in advance.

Re: Starting an LSU Cajun Band?

Yes as a matter of fact they sponsor a jam on the 3rd Sunday of the month in Brulle across the river. Jesse Brown has two kids that play Cajun music in Baton Rouge.

Re: Starting an LSU Cajun Band?

I missed spelled the town it's Brusley



Jamey Hall's most excellent Cajun Accordion Music Theory

Brett's all new Cajun Accordion Music Theory for all keys!

LFR1.gif - 1092 Bytes The April 2011 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week

augusta.gif - 6841 Bytes

Listen to Some GREAT Music While You Surf the Net!!
The BEST Radio Station on the Planet!