Happy American Beer Day!

October 27th is American Beer Day! Celebrate with a cold one … but not from any old place … from the good old U.S.A.! Bottoms up!

Celebrating the Birthday of Boozoo Chavis

Zydeco pioneer Wilson Anthony "Boozoo" Chavis was born on October 23, 1930, near Lake Charles, Louisiana, in a Cajun Creole settlement called Pied des Chiens (Dog Hill). Chavis was an accordion player, singer, songwriter and bandleader who began playing accordion in his youth, having been was exposed to his father, uncles and cousins who all played. He was nicknamed "Boozoo" in his childhood, although the name’s origin is unknown. As a teenager, Chavis bought a button accordion and began performing regularly at a dance club that his mother opened, often sitting in on performances with Clifton Chenier, as well as playing at house dances on weekends and evenings.As well as developing the playing style that came to be known as zydeco, Chavis worked as a farmer, jockey, and horse trainer. Chavis earned the nickname "The Creole Cowboy" because of his background raising horses, as well as the white Stetson hat he wore during performances. 

In 1954, Chavis’ first recording, "Paper in My Shoe," sung in both French and English, was the first commercially released zydeco song and the first zydeco hit, and subsequently became a zydeco standard. Chavis was convinced that the recording was more successful than the record companies claimed, so he lost trust in the music business, and over the next thirty years only released three more singles. He performed rarely during the 1960s and 1970s, devoting most of his time to raising racehorses and farming on his property in Dog Hill. 

In the early 1980s, zydeco was gaining recognition outside of Louisiana in the United States, as well developing as a strong following in Europe, thanks largely to the popularity of artists such as Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco, and Rockin' Dopsie. Chavis returned to performing music regularly in 1984 after discovering that another musician was impersonating him. He signed a five-year contract with the Maison de Soul label, and released a locally successful single, "Dog Hill" and four albums: Louisiana Zydeco Music (1986), Boozoo Zydeco! (1987), Zydeco Homebrew (1989), and Zydeco Trail Ride (1990).In 1989, Chavis founded the "Labor Day Dog Hill Festival" as a fan appreciation party, and to showcase zydeco musicians and also keep the zydeco tradition alive. During the 1990’s, many of his songs also appeared on compilation albums featuring many of the most well-known zydeco performers.

During the 1990s, Chavis performed widely with his band, the Magic Sounds, and was crowned "The King of Zydeco" in New Orleans in 1993, after Clifton Chenier's death. He was a prolific writer of zydeco songs, some including references to his friends and acquaintances and others too raunchy to be sold openly. The release of X-rated versions of his songs "Uncle Bud" and "Deacon Jones" on his 1999 album Who Stole My Monkey? resulted in a parental advisory sticker, the first for a zydeco recording. In 1998, Chavis was inducted into the Zydeco Hall of Fame, and in 2001, he was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the highest honor in the folk and traditional arts in the United States.

 Sadly, Chavis died on May 5, 2001, from complications resulting from a heart attack, just one week after a performance in Texas. His legacy lives on in his zydeco music festival, and the numerous musicians whom he influenced. 

Photo: David Simpson

Celebrating the 26th anniversary of Basin Street Records!

Basin Street Records is a Grammy Award-winning independent record label based in New Orleans, that specializes in jazz, funk, and rhythm and blues. Founded in 1997 by Mark Samuels and Tom Thompson, the label arose out of a project to release a live album for New Orleans jazz trumpeter and vocalist Kermit Ruffins. This September 30th, we celebrate the anniversary of the founding of Basin Street Records!

Celebrating Juneteenth!

Juneteenth is the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19, 1865, that Union troops overcame the resistance in Galveston, Texas, and announced the Civil War was over and enslaved people were free. While the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t until this day, two and a half years later, over two months after General Lee surrendered, that federal forces were able to influence and overcome the resistance in Galveston, and enforce President Lincoln’s Executive Order.

Today Juneteenth is a national day of pride that celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. On Juneteenth we acknowledge the African American spirit and pay tribute to the roles and contributions which have enriched our society. And for New Orleans, we have a lot to celebrate!

Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday - 3/19

Mardi Gras Indians have been parading in New Orleans during Carnival season at least since the mid-19th century. The tribes consist of Black carnival revelers who dress up for Mardi Gras in beautifully decorated, intricate suits influenced by the ceremonial apparel of Native Americans. Mardi Gras Indians and their tribes parade throughout the City on Super Sunday, but the most popular celebration occurs in Central City. Notwithstanding the popularity of such activities for tourists and residents alike, the phenomenon of the Mardi Gras Indians is said to reflect both a vital musical history and an equally vital attempt to express internal social dynamics. Don’t miss this unique cultural event!

Celebrating the Birthday of Rockin' Dopsie

Zydeco singer and accordionist Alton Jay Rubin, who performed as Rockin' Dopsie, was born on February 10, 1932, in Carencro, Louisiana, and was the son of Walter Rubin, who played accordion at local dances. Dopsie was given his first accordion at age 14, and since he was left-handed, he learned to play it upside down. He performed at local parties, until he was 19, at which time he moved to Lafayette with his parents. He began playing in clubs in the mid-1950s, and took his stage name from a dancer called Doopsie, including pronouncing his name the same way. In addition to performing as a zydeco musician, he continued working his day job, eventually becoming an electrical contractor.

Dopsie performed around Louisiana, and recorded occasionally the 1950s and 1960s, and his appearance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1976 led to the release of his first album, Doin' The Zydeco. His music assimilated R&B influences into zydeco, even covering R&B hits in a zydeco style. Starting in 1979, he toured Europe regularly with his group, the Twisters, and his popularity there led to him recording a string of albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1986, he played accordion on the zydeco-influenced song "That Was Your Mother" on Paul Simon's Graceland album, and recorded the album Crowned Prince Of Zydeco in 1987. His final album in 1991, Louisiana Music, received a Grammy Award nomination. Sadly, he passed away at 61 on August 26, 1993.

Dopsie’s band continues to perform, now known as Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters. The band is led by his son Dopsie Jr., who is an accordionist, vocalist and washboard player, and with his son Alton Jr., on drums. Dopsie's younger son Dwayne also plays accordion and leads his own band, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. Today we celebrate the birthday of this gifted musician and appreciate his musical legacy!

Photo: Cover art for the album Crowned Prince of Zydeco