I am sad to report, this morning, that Cajun drummer and vocalist, Cliff Newman, has passed away. I visited with him just a few short months ago, and he was in good health. He even sang a few songs with us. He will be sorely missed. See link #3 for obituary.

Played a lot of great music with Sidney Brown, Joe Bonsall, Cleveland Crochet, and many others. Robert Bertrand? Probably knew as much as anybody or more about Lake Charles' French music history. He'll be missed.

So sad to hear that Mr. Cliff had passsed on. He was a true legend and really enjoyed playing with him. I got to play with him more in the last couple of years than I had during any other time, and I am so glad that I had that opportunity. I also enjoyed the visits and stories of the music and musicians "back in the day." He had a great voice and you could really "feel" the passion and true Cajun sound whenever he sang. My condolences to the family; I know we will all miss him.

Yes Cliff is the drummer with the Ed Gary band my wife and I belong to a Cajun dance troupe and we perform every year in Herman Mo at the Stone Hill winery its a three day Cajun festival on the hill. Cliff was always keeping us in step with his playing. We will dearly miss him this coming July. God Bless Cliff

I also liked his passionate vocals a lot on the songs he sang with Joe Bonsall, like Tolan Waltz, Dodge City Waltz and Alleman Waltz

Yves thats a nice looking box your playing is that a Larry Miller??

i had the pleasure of sitting in with ed gary a few years ago and was struck by the gentle and heartfelt presence of cliff. i got him to sing la valse de grand prairie, one of my favorites, a song he wrote. he sang with such emotion......i am glad to have had the chance to play with him.

roger

I've known Cliff for a long time. His mom Waverly married my uncle Herbert Mire from Mermentau. They latter divorced after she realized just what kind of sob he was. Cliff was just like his mom, always a big smile and always glad to see you and it was always good to see them.
Le Piquant

Thanks Randy,
On the picture of Cajun Corner I'm holding my "Cajun" from John Roger (in A). The 3 other Cajun boxes are from Larry Miller (in C), Andre Michot (in D) and Junior Martin (in E).
They're all so different but I love them all so much!
The only thing I'm missing is one with headphones or a very silent one, on which I could practise while the baby's sleeping...

Cliff has to be remembered as a great drummer and a fantastic singer. He probably sang with more

Who could forget that drumming on those Joe Bonsall records, when he is wailing on that ride cymbal on Jai ete au bal. Great stuff. I just watched him on VHS too when he was playing with Phil Menard. It was something, I taped myself dating back to 1990. Cool stuff with Ivy on Steel Guitar.