Clifton Chenier gets Jazz Fest, new album tributes
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Clifton Chenier performs in a photo dated in 1975. Photo: Andrew Putler/Redferns
An upcoming new album and a Friday evening headlining set at Jazz Fest's Fais Do Do Stage will pay tribute to the pioneering king of zydeco: Clifton Chenier.
Why it matters: Chenier's influence is hard to overstate, and the star-studded album and planned tribute show reflect that.
What they're saying: "When you get to the heart of these artists influenced by Clifton, it's pretty crazy," says Joel Savoy, whose Valcour Records in Eunice is releasing the tribute album. "The range of artists on this reflects how connected the music scene is around the country and around the world."
- "They think of artists and genres being so disconnected, but all of a sudden you have Lucinda Williams, the Rolling Stones, Steve Earle, Taj Mahal all sharing this common thread, which I think is pretty incredible."
That thread is Chenier.
- Born June 25, 1925, in Opelousas, Chenier grew up in an extended family of musicians playing Creole music known as "La La."
- By the 1950s, he designed the vest-style frottoir, according to 64 Parishes' Kevin Fontenot. It's a kind of wearable washboard that, with Chenier's accordion, created zydeco's signature percussion.
Zoom in: To celebrate his influence, Savoy music directed Friday's tribute show, which will include Roddie Romero, Eric Adcock, Derek Huston, Lee Allen Zeno, Jermaine Prejean and Sherelle Chenier Mouton.
- It's the same group that serves as the house band for the tribute album, "A Tribute to the King."
- The show will include guests C.J. Chenier, Sonny Landreth, Marcia Ball and Curley Taylor. Expect another surprise artist or two to step in, too, Savoy says.
What's next: The album drops June 27 in celebration of what would have been Chenier's 100th birthday.
- All proceeds will benefit the newly established Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship at ULL.