|
Profile
C.J. Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band
|
 |
1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
| |
 |
The Boston Globe calls him "the crown prince of zydeco." Living Blues magazine hails him as "the best living zydeco singer and accordionist." To his legions of fans he is simply the man whose music moves them deep in their souls. And to those fans who just love to dance he's the man who provides the beat that moves their feet. He is the source of the infectious, rhythmic music fueling the wild dance parties that erupt wherever he plays. He is Clayton Joseph Chenier, son of legendary zydeco master and pioneer, Clifton Chenier. Known as just C.J. to his fans, Chenier's debut Alligator Records release of a few years ago was appropriately titled, "Too Much Fun." And that is exactly what happens whenever C.J. Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band get together and play. The music grooves from the traditional zydeco of Clifton Chenier right on up to modern funk with healthy doses of blues, R&B, swamp pop, and country, all the while infused with the urgency and energy of rock and roll. C.J. joined his dad's band playing saxophone on a regular basis when he was 21 and after his father's death in 1987, C.J. inherited his dad's accordion as well as his band. C.J.'s total mastery of the full-size piano accordion, his rich, satisfying vocals, and his background as a jazz and funk saxophone player is the driving force behind this power-house zydeco band. Adding elements of the jazz and funk he listened to, studied in college, and played professionally before joining his father, C.J. likes the push the music on occasion to new levels while still embracing the rich zydeco traditions of his father. The result is one of the best sounding zydeco bands playing today.
|
|
E-mail Ray Stiles at: 
We build websites