Happy Labor Day!

Happy Birthday, Terrance Simien!

Zydeco musician, vocalist and songwriter Terrance Simien was born September 3, 1965, in Mallet, Louisiana, and is an eighth generation Creole from one of the earliest Creole families that settled in St. Landry Parish. He was introduced to music via the piano at home, the Catholic Church choir, and playing trumpet in school band programs. He taught himself to play accordion in his teens and formed his first band Terrance Simien & The Mallet Playboys, playing regionally.

In the early 1980s, Simien was one of only two emerging zydeco artists performing and continuing the traditions of zydeco roots music. Simien and his group have toured internationally, presenting over 9000 live performances in more than 45 countries, and released dozens of solo recordings and collaborations. He has shared studio and stage with the likes of Paul Simon, Dr. John, The Meters, Marcia Ball, Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, Robert Palmer and Los Lobos. In 2008, Simien and his group won the Grammy Award for Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album, and in 2013, he and several of his other band mates won their second Grammy for Best Regional Roots Record.

Simien has appeared on screen and contributed to the soundtracks of multiple movies, television films and commercials. He contributed to the soundtracks of the films, The Princess and the Frog, The Big Easy, Exit To Eden and A Murder Of Crows. Simien and his business partner/wife, Cynthia, are active in Creole music education and advocacy, having created the "Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco" performing arts program, and MusicMatters, Inc., a non-profit for education and advocacy.

Simien is one of the most accomplished and respected artists in American roots music. Today we celebrate and wish Terrance a very happy birthday!

Photo: Carl Lender

Happy Birthday, Davell Crawford!

Pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger Davell Crawford was born in New Orleans on September 3, 1975, began playing piano when he was seven and first toured Europe in his early teens. Crawford brings a synthesis of styles (jazz, funk, R&B, and gospel) to his piano playing, singing and songwriting. Fats Domino, Sarah Vaughan, Patsy Cline and Liberace are among his many influences, and he believes in the art of entertainment, occasionally leaving his piano to talk and joke with his audience. Acclaimed as the “Piano Prince of New Orleans,” Crawford brings equal exuberance to both modern and classic jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, blues, gospel, soul, pop, American folk and touches of country-western.

However, Gospel is at the heart of everything that Crawford does. As a child, Crawford attended both Baptist and the Catholic churches and watched the pipe organist so attentively that when he first sat in front of the impressive instrument he already knew the function of the stops and pedals. The organ at his church was the first he ever played and throughout his life he’s continued to man the organ in both church and club settings. At just 10 years old, he took on the position of accompanist to the St. Peter Claver Catholic Church choir, and by the time he was 11, he became the youth choir director, pianist and organist to the sanctuary and men’s choruses at the St. Joseph Baptist Church. Since then Crawford has traveled the world conducting choral workshops and making appearances in gospel music. He has also hosted award winning gospel ensembles and formed The Davell Crawford Singers, who continue to perform and can be heard on his CD, My Gift To You. That being said, Crawford is also fully versed in the traditional jazz songbook of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Crawford plays and sings the music of his passion—the music of his life. He has soaked up the surrounding rhythms and harmonies of New Orleans that were his deep musical roots and nurtured his natural talent. In the inimitable New Orleans tradition, Crawford is a passionate performer who has a flair for the art of entertainment, engaging the audience with his winning personality and sense of humor. Happy Birthday, Davell!

Photo: Facebook

Southern Decadence - September 1 - 5!

Southern Decadence is an annual event held by the gay and lesbian community during Labor Day Weekend, culminating in a parade through the French Quarter on the Sunday before Labor Day. “Decadence”, as it’s commonly referred to, originated in 1972 as an end-of-summer party where 40-50 friends, both gay and straight, dressed as their favorite decadent Southerner. The group threw another party two weeks later to bid farewell to a friend who left New Orleans to join his partner in Michigan. Decadence is like Mardi Gras in that there are parades, bead throwing, street and dance parties. Southern Decadence can be sexual in tone and is generally geared towards adult revelers. Have some decadent fun in the sun!

17th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Early on the morning of August 29th, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Louisiana delta region and the Mississippi coast. The storm surge brought enormous damage to the Gulf Coast and, when the levees around New Orleans failed, a great number of fatalities. This tragedy does not define the region, but we must never forget.

By Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC - http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.php?id=7938, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=307289

Happy Birthday, Branford Marsalis!

Branford Marsalis was born on August 26, 1960, in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, to one of the premier musical families in the world. Branford is an saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque. He is the son of Dolores, a jazz singer and substitute teacher, and Ellis Louis Marsalis, Jr., an acclaimed pianist and music professor. His brothers Jason Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Delfeayo Marsalis are also world famous jazz musicians.

Photo by: darlene susco - https://www.flickr.com/people/63102512@N06