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Zydeco is a form of folk music, originated in the beginning of the 20th century among the Creole peoples of south-west Louisiana and influenced by the music of the French-speaking Cajuns. It is heavily syncopated, usually fast-tempo, and dominated by the accordion and rub-board washboard; sometimes including drums; guitar; horns and bass guitar. The music arose as a synthesis of traditional Cajun music with African-American traditions that also underpinned R&B and blues. It was known as "la-la"; "zodico" and various other names. Amede Ardoin made the first recordings of what later became known as zydeco in 1928. The music was finally brought to the fringes of the American mainstream in the mid- 1950s, with the popularity of Clifton ChenierClifton Chenier ( June 25, 1925 December 12, 1987) was the pre-eminent performer of zydeco music, a blend of Cajun and Creole music with R&B, jazz and blues influences. Chenier's career began in 1954, when he signed with Elko Records and released "Cliston and Boozoo Chavis . Rockin' SidneyRockin' Sidney Simien ( April 9, 1938 February 25, 1998) was an United States R&B, Zydeco, and Soul music musician who began recording in the late 1950s and continued performing until his death. He grew up in Lebeau, Louisiana and started his musical care's surprise hit "My Toot Toot" launched a revival of zydeco in the mid- 1980sMillennia: 1st millennium 2nd millennium 3rd millennium Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s Years: 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Events and trends, carried further by the international fame of Buckwheat ZydecoBuckwheat Zydeco (born Stanley Dural, Jr. November 14, 1947) is an accordionist and zydeco performer, one of the few to achieve mainstream success. In 1971 ( 1971 in music), he founded Buckwheat & the Hitchhikers a funk band that he led for five years bef.


ZydecoZydeco is a form of folk music, originated in the beginning of the 20th century among the Creole peoples of south-west Louisiana and influenced by the music of the French-speaking Cajuns. It is heavily syncopated, usually fast-tempo, and dominated by the
Stylistic origins: Cajun la la , African AmericanAfrican Americans also known as Afro- Americans or black Americans comprise an ethnic group in the United States of America whose dominant ancestry is from Sub-Saharan West Africa. Many African Americans also claim European, Native American, or Asian ance blues and jazzFor other article subjects named Jazz see jazz (disambiguation). Jazz is a musical art form characterized by blue notes, syncopation, swing, call and response, polyrhythms, and improvisation. It has been called the first original art form to develop in th
Cultural origins: Early 20th century Creoles in Louisiana
Typical instruments: Accordion, Washboard, Drums, Guitar, Horns, Bass guitar
Mainstream popularity: Little, except briefly in 1950s and mid- 1980s US
Fusion genres
Swamp pop
Other topics
Cajun and Creole


The word "zydeco" is often said to come from the song, "Les Haricots sont pas salés", haricot being a French word for bean. The title means "The beans aren't salted", a reference to the singer being too poor to afford salt pork to season the beans. This derivation is disputed. It may have arisen from a self-mocking joke that hides the deeper (culturally "secret") references to the African dance-forms on which it is based.

Cajun and Louisiana Creole music



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