Key Terms
Born
1927; Grand Louis, Louisiana (small community west of Mamou) Died: 1992 Instrument: Fiddle; also singer Parents: Sharecr
KEY EVENT
1964 Newport Folk Festival performance with Gladius Thibodeaux and Vinus Lejeune. Received enthusiastic response from ov
Film role
Sang "Parlez Nous a Boire" in the 1981 cult film Southern Comfort
Documentary
Les Blues de Balfa, produced by Yasha Aginsky. Features Balfa lecturing to schoolchildren about Cajun origins alongside
Band formed
During the Cajun revival of the 1970s Founded by: Fiddler Michael Doucet
Michael Doucet - Biography Born
February 14, 1951; Lafayette Parish,
Louisiana Started
Banjo at age 6, guitar at age 8 Influenced by: Uncle Will Knight (Cajun fiddle, banjo, bass); grandmother (Acadian/Frenc
Teen band
Bayou Drifters, a contemporary folk-rock band formed with cousin Zachary Richard
Pronounced
ZY-dih-koh or ZY-dee-koh French: Zarico
Tempo
Up-tempo, syncopated, strong rhythmic core
LYRICS
Typically in English or French
SOURCE MATERIAL
Original zydeco compositions, adapted blues standards, R&B hits, and traditional Cajun tunes adapted into zydeco style
Hotbeds of zydeco activity
Louisiana, Texas, Oregon, California, Europe (as far north as Scandinavia)