Cajun fiddler Michael Doucet performs with David Doucet and Mitchell Reed
…from the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Michael Doucet, fiddler, composer, and bandleader, is perhaps the single most important figure in the revitalization of Cajun music in the USA. Cajun is the shorthand name for the French settlers of southwest Louisiana who were expelled from the Acadian region of Canada in the 18th century. During the first half of the 20th century, both the language and music of French Louisiana seemed to be in decline. In 1975, Doucet applied to the National Endowment for the Arts for an apprenticeship grant to study with and document the master fiddlers of his region. As a result of this project, he was able to learn first-hand from the great masters of Cajun and Creole music with links to an earlier era.
Find Michael Doucets Smithsonian Folkways album, From Now On, at http://www.folkways.si.edu/albumdetails.aspx?itemid=3207
To learn more about Smithsonian Folkways visit http://www.folkways.si.edu
To find out more about the Smithsonian Folklife Festival visit http://festival.si.edu/
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Duration : 0:4:25
It’s In the Blood: Leo Abshire & the Cajun Tradition – Trailer
“It’s In the Blood” is a musical documentary about Cajun fiddler, instrument maker Leo Abshire, from Gueydan, Louisiana. Features interviews with Steve Riley, D.L. Menard & Doug Kershaw. SCREENS AT THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL MUSIC & MOVIES FESTIVAL, MARCH 6th, 3:30 pm. www.cimmfest.org.
Duration : 0:3:0
Ryan Thomson on accordion fiddle banjo Irish flute pennywhistle Pontine Theatre, Portsmouth, NH
Ryan’s site http://www.captainfiddle.com In this video Ryan performs at Pontine Theatre, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In this short performance he plays 7 different instruments including fiddle, banjo, bones, tin whistle, cajun triangle, Irish wooden flute, and accordion. The original show was 12 minutes long but several small portions were removed to meet the 10 minute You Tube limit. Ryan performs and teaches professionally. Visit his web site for bookings and descriptions of his books, videos, and instructional materials.
Duration : 0:9:52
What is the difference between cajun fiddle and country fiddle, and bluegrass fiddle?
I know it’s different because of the different instruments you put them to. But how are they different in song styles?
The biggest difference is the way the bow is used, bowing is what makes Cajun, Bluegrass and country sound different. The fingering is somewhat different , but it depends on how the fiddlle is played.
Cajun Waltz, Grand Prairie, on twin fiddles – Fiddling Thomsons, Hampton, NH
A father and son duo – Ryan and Brennish Thomson perform for the Hampton Historical Society, Hampton New Hampshire, on September 4, 2010. In this video they play a medley of 3 Irish jigs – Cannaught Man’s Rambles, My Darling Asleep, and Morrison’s JIg. The Fiddling Thomsons perform throughout New England. Ryan teaches several different instruments and produces instructional books, videos, and recordings. Visit the Captain Fiddle web site at http://www.captainfiddle.com
Duration : 0:2:23
Tailgate The Nation- Cajun Jam Louisiana (Sneak Preview!)
TGTN spent the night at the Blue Moon guesthouse in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Blue Moon Guesthouse offers hostel type accommodations, a full bar as well as a live stage ready for some true Cajun jamming.
www.tailgatethenation.com
Duration : 0:0:37
