Clifton Chenier
Louisiana Creole musician who blended local dance music with blues and R&B to shape zydeco.
- Years
- 1925–1987
- Country
- United States
- Instrument
- Piano accordion, voice
Clifton Chenier grew up in Louisiana's Creole music culture. On piano accordion he brought blues and rhythm and blues into local dance tunes and helped shape the sound known as zydeco. His Red Hot Louisiana Band included his brother Cleveland on the metal rubboard, or frottoir, and reached audiences across the United States and Europe.
His 1965 recording of Zydeco et Pas Salés became a signature performance. The 1976 album Bogalusa Boogie entered the United States National Recording Registry, and I'm Here won a Grammy in 1984. Chenier's recordings show how the accordion could carry Creole dance rhythms alongside the drive of a modern rhythm section.
Selected works, recordings and publications
- Zydeco et Pas Salés1965
A signature song recorded during Chenier's 1965 Arhoolie sessions.
Release / publisherArhoolie recording · 1965
Publication source - Bogalusa Boogie1976
An album later added to the U.S. National Recording Registry.
Release / publisherAlbum · 1976
Publication source