Zydeco
Zydeco (/ˈzaɪdɪˌkoʊ, -diː-/ ZY-dih-koh, -dee-; French: Zarico) is a music genre that was created in rural Southwest Louisiana by Afro-Americans of Creole heritage. It blends blues and rhythm and blues with music indigenous to the Louisiana Creoles such as la la and juré, using the French accordion and a creole washboard instrument called the frottoir.[1][2]
This article is about the music genre. For the dance form, see Zydeco (dance).Zydeco
From French les haricots ("the beans"), from a phrase that recurred in many cajun and zydeco songs
Zarico, zodigo, le musique Creole
Early 20th century, Louisiana, U.S.
- Piano accordion
- Cajun accordion
- washboard
- electric bass
- electric guitar
- drum set
Characteristics[edit]
Zydeco music is typically played in an uptempo, syncopated manner with a strong rhythmic core,[3] and often incorporates elements of blues, rock and roll, soul music, R&B, Cajun, and early Creole music. Zydeco music is centered on the accordion, which leads the rest of the band, and a specialized washboard, called a vest frottoir, as a prominent percussive instrument. Other common instruments in zydeco are the electric guitar, bass, keyboard, and drum set.[4] If there are accompanying lyrics, they are typically sung in English or French.[5] Many zydeco performers create original zydeco compositions, though it is also common for musicians to adapt blues standards, R&B hits, and traditional Cajun tunes into the zydeco style.[6]