Routes to Roots
Accordion Accents

Description

The second annual ACCORDION ACCENTS instructional workshop and Lagniappe
Presentation features instructors Paul Daigle and Horace Trahan.
The workshop is open to beginning and intermediate/advanced accordion
players.  A special lagniappe presentation will follow the instruction
sessions, featuring Paul and Horace along with Sheryl Cormier and
facilitator Ray Landry.

> 1:00-1:30 p.m.  Check-in
> 1:30-2:45 p.m.  Class session I
>      Paul      - Beginning
>      Horace    - Int/Advanced
> 2:45-3:00 p.m.  Break
> 3:00-4:15 p.m.  Class session II
>      Horace    - Beginning
>      Paul      - Int/Advanced
> 4:15-4:30 p.m.  Break
> 4:30-5:30 p.m.  Lagniappe presentation

Bios for Accordion Accents:

PAUL DAIGLE
Paul is a native of Point Noir near Church Point, Louisiana. While he
was a teenager, he won numerous accordion contests; and he eventually
teamed with rhythm guitarist Robert Elkins to form Cajun Gold, one of
the premier Cajun bands from the mid-eighties until 1990. Today, Paul is
also a member of the Baton Rouge-based Cajun group, Savoir Faire. The
band's first album, Savoir Faire avec Paul Daigle, was released in 1999.
They were nominated for Band of the Year by the Cajun French Music
Association in 1999, and Paul also received a nomination as accordionist
of the year.  He has taught at the Augusta Heritage Workshop in Elkins,
West Virginia, and also at Louisiana Folk Roots' own event, The Dewey
Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week, in April 2002.

SHERYL CORMIER
Sheryl is known as "La Reine de Musique Cadjine" - the Queen of Cajun
Music.  She was born in Grand Couteau, Louisiana, and began to play the
accordion when she was seven, over her father's protests.  Eventually,
she was allowed to play with her father's band, and in the late 70's she
formed her own band, Sheryl Cormier and Cajun Sounds.  Sheryl's
accordion style was influenced by legendary accordionists Nathan
Abshire, Aldus Roger, and Lawrence Walker.

HORACE TRAHAN
Accordionist and vocalist Horace Trahan is currently playing with his
original band The New Ossun Express.  While Horace was still a teenager,
Cajun music fans recognized in his soulful, plaintive voice clear echoes
of the legendary Iry LeJeune.  According to Barry Ancelet's liner notes
to Ossun Blues, Horace's first public performance occurred after a staff
member at the Liberty Theater in Eunice heard him performing at the
afternoon jam session.  During that evening's show, she arranged for
Horace to come on stage to play one song.  His performance of "Viens me
chercher" brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience and he
received a standing ovation.  Horace learned the accordion from his
father's cousin, Felix Richard, who had also taught Zachary Richard to
play.

RAY LANDRY
Ray has been playing Cajun music for more than 30 years and has played
with many legendary musicians, including Nonc Allie Young and the Basile
Cajun Band.  He was also a member of the Basin Brothers.  In addition to
the accordion, Ray also plays guitar and sings; he has been nominated
for Vocalist of the Year by the Cajun French Music Association.

For more information and to register,
please contact Louisiana Folk Roots at 337-234-8360 or email
info@lafolkroots.org .

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