Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Weekend
April 2-4, 2004
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
|
|
These photos include
only part of Sunday afternoon's activities at the 2004 Dewey Balfa Cajun
and Creole Heritage Weekend. Walter Mouton, leader of the Scott
Playboys, joined by U.J. Meaux on fiddle, gave a master musician
presentation. Blake Castille played guitar and served as moderator.
Mouton told stories about his 52 years of playing (he was 65 when
these photos were taken), including his long stint as the regular
band at La Poussière, the club where the campers went dancing the
previous evening, and his memories of other musicians who played in
his band (including Wayne Toups). He emphasized his belief that a
musician must be committed to excellence and expressed his disdain
for supposed musicians who are more interested in gyrating on stage
than in the quality of their music (he used to playing standing but
now prefers to remain seated: after all, the pay is the same, he
explained). Then, he gave a practical demonstration of what he means
by music played well and seemingly without effort: a sample of
"Home, Sweet Home," the song with which he always ends his dances.
The accordion began with the basic tune, and then Mouton added in
layer on top of layer of notes, all pouring out with
perfect ease from a true master musician.
Note: Uray Jules Meaux, a mainstay in Cajun music for decades,
died July 7, 2006.
C 
|
| This section includes photos of workshops led by Paul
Daigle, show below on accordion; by D'Jalma
Garnier on fiddle and Dexter Ardoin on accordion,
shown at right, who demonstrated the Creole style; by Al Berard,
who taught fiddle seconding; and by Marce Lacouture, who
taught ballads and home music (in the photo, they are
singing "L'Oranger").
 |
 |
|
Posted 4-12-04
Go
to the Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco Music Home Page. |
|