BIOGRAPHY
A Cajun musician or group refers to a musician or musical group that produces and performs Cajun music, a genre that traces its origins to the Acadians displaced from Nova Scotia to Louisiana in the 18th century. This music is heavily influenced by French traditions, but also integrates elements of creole music and sometimes Native American influences.
Typical instruments in Cajun music include the diatonic accordion, fiddle, guitar, and sometimes other instruments such as the triangle (called "tit-fer" in Louisiana) and the washboard. Lyrics are often sung in Cajun French, a variant of French that developed in Louisiana.
Considered an authentic expression of Louisiana Cajun culture, Cajun music is not only a lively and festive musical tradition, but it also plays a central role in preserving Cajun cultural identity. Festivals such as Festival Acadiens and Mardi Gras are occasions where this music is particularly showcased.
Among famous Cajun artists, there are Clifton Chenier, nicknamed the "King of Zydeco", and groups like Beausoleil or Lost Bayou Ramblers, who modernize the genre while remaining faithful to its roots. Cajun music continues to evolve, attracting an international audience and sparking renewed interest in the French-speaking culture in North America.