Cajun Music History A great specialty of the folk music of North America is that, like the nation itself, it is derived from several different cultures. When the Europeans migrated to the newly found American continent, they took with them the music of their lands. The music that we hear in North American nations as of today, is an evolved form of the music derived from several European folk traditions. The origin of Cajun music can be traced back to the Acadian colonists, who had settled down in the province of Acadia. This region stretched towards the east of Quebec, and included the Maritime provinces, parts of New England and Maine, and stretched till Philadelphia. The location of the colonies and a tinge of French colonial music has brilliantly shaped the Cajun music that we hear today. What is Cajun Music Cajun music cannot be simply defined as the music of Louisiana. History of Cajun Music In 1764, several French colonists and Acadians migrated to South Louisiana form Nova Scotia (Canada).
Tex-Mex Music Cajun music Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin. These French Louisiana sounds have influenced American popular music for many decades, especially country music, and have influenced pop culture through mass media, such as television commercials. Aural analysis[edit] Cajun music is relatively harsh with an infectious beat and a lot of forward drive, placing the accordion at the center. Besides the voices, only two melodic instruments are heard, the accordion and fiddle, but usually in the background can also be heard the high, clear tones of a metal triangle. Subgenres of Cajun music[edit] Traditional Cajun[edit] Country and Texas swing Cajun[edit] Main article: Western swing This style involves heavy elements of Texas country music influence and a move away from the traditional accordion. Dancehall Cajun[edit]
Cajun Music Pioneer - Joseph Falcon The special atmosphere of a real "fais do-do," a Cajun country dance, is captured here on this live recording by Cajun music innovator, Joe Falcon. He made the very first Cajun recording back in 1928, of "Allons a Lafayette," a version of which can be heard here. Falcon was one of the very first instrumentalists to bring together accordion and the more traditional fiddle on rural Louisiana folk songs. Though the album's less-than-perfect recording conditions occasionally blur some of the lyrics, to have a document of a "fais do-do" from 1963 is a rare treat. Falcon, who died in 1965, had a plaintive, inimitable singing voice, as this album makes clear.
Cajun Music Tejano music Tejano music or Tex-Mex music (Texan-Mexican music) is the name given to various forms of folk and popular music originating among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas. With roots in the late 19th century, it became a music genre with a wider audience in the late 20th century thanks to artists such as Selena, often referred to as "The Queen of Tejano", Mazz, Elida Reyna, Los Palominos, Ramón Ayala, Elsa García, Laura Canales, La Mafia, Jay Perez, Emilio Navaira, Alicia Villarreal, Gary Hobbs, Shelly Lares, Stefani Montiel, David Lee Garza and Jennifer Peña. Origins[edit] In the 1850s, Europeans from Germany (first during Spanish time and 1830s), Poland, and what is now the Czech Republic migrated to Texas and Mexico, bringing with them their style of music and dance. They brought with them the waltz, polkas and other popular forms of music and dance. At the turn of the century, Tejanos were mostly involved in ranching and agriculture. Influence[edit]
Black Gospel Music Salsa music Conga drums, one of the foundational instruments of salsa music. Salsa is primarily Cuban son, itself a fusion of Spanish canción and guitar and Afro-Cuban percussion, merged with North American music styles such as jazz. Salsa also occasionally incorporates elements of rock, R&B, and funk.[6] All of these non-Cuban elements are grafted onto the basic Cuban son montuno template when performed within the context of salsa.[7] Salsa as a musical term[edit] "In 1973, I hosted the television show Salsa which was the first reference to this particular music as salsa. But promotion certainly wasn't the only factor in the music's success, as Sanabria makes clear: "Musicians were busy creating the music but played no role in promoting the name salsa Globally, the term salsa has eclipsed the original names of the various Cuban musical genres it encompasses. Issues of identity and ownership[edit] The Cuban origins of the music do not conveniently fit into the pan-Latino narrative. Lyrics[edit]
Salsa Music