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"Why has dancing to Cajun music skyrocketed in popularity? Eric and Suzy Thompson, two of the East Bay's most talented musicians, should know. They've enlisted a couple of acoustic music friends and formed the Aux Cajunals, playing to packed clubs throughout the Bay Area. (If you remember your high school French, you'll notice that the pronunciation of the band's name is significantly similar to the word occasional.)" Dan Ouellete, The Express Equally at home in a dance club, concert hall, or house party, the Aux Cajunals play the kind of old-fashioned Cajun music which has been an integral part of celebrations in southwest Louisiana for over 100 years. The Aux Cajunals' sound is hard-driving but not ear-splitting, inspiring listeners to dance the twostep or waltz, or just to soak up the rich textures of the acoustic instruments and the emotion-drenched French vocals. The Aux Cajunals Big Band, which includes bass and drums, adds zydeco and vintage rhythm and blues to the mix, including material from such great roots artists as Big Joe Williams, Memphis Minnie and Freddie King. |
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Suzy Thompson squeezes her Louisiana-made one-row accordions, fiddles up a storm, and brings the Cajun and Creole songs to life with her powerful vocals. Eric Thompson's lead guitar playing gives a bluesy edge to the zydeco and R&B numbers, and his acoustic rhythm guitar chops keep the dancers up and hopping! Agi Ban adds her strong lead fiddle to the band's sound. Alan Senauke doubles on electric bass and guitar. The Aux Cajunals Big Band adds pedal steel, bass and drums. Eric, Suzy and Agi have performed and recorded with many of the most respected names in Cajun and zydeco music, including Michael Doucet and Beausoleil, Marc & Ann Savoy, Queen Ida, Dewey Balfa, and D.L. Menard. Eric and Suzy spent 18 years as mainstays of the California Cajun Orchestra, with two award-winning CDs on the Arhoolie label. During these years, Suzy learned to play Cajun accordion while playing fiddle alongside the late, great Danny Poullard. Earlier in the early 1980's, she apprenticed in Louisiana to master fiddler Dewey Balfa under an NEA grant, and was also mentored by Cheese Read and Dennis McGee. The Aux Cajunals' repertoire is designed for dancing -- it's the old-time honky-tonky music of southwest Louisiana! In addition to all of the Cajun standards, the Aux Cajunals repertoire includes many unusual songs and tunes learned from rare 78's, field recordings, and directly from master musicians: heart-breaking waltzes like "La Bague Qui Brillent", twosteps from the 1920's like "Waxia Special", and proto-Zydeco songs like "Blues A Voyage". Using 3 fiddles, they resurrect reels and onesteps from the 19th century, learned first-hand from legendary fiddler Dennis McGee. In a concert setting, the Aux Cajunals also perform unaccompanied ballads, some of which go all the way back to 17th century France! With the addition of electric bass, drums and pedal steel, the Aux Cajunals Big Band rocks the house with mix of Cajun dance hall music, 50's rhythm and blues, zydeco, country-western and Cajun hillbilly swing. Sat. July 19th Cajun Dance at Ashkenaz! Dance lesson with Diana Castillo at 8, the Aux Cajunals at 9:00. We're returning to our original lineup with Eric, Suzy, Agi, and Alan Senauke. All ages are welcome! Ashkenaz has got one of the best dance floors in the East Bay and a very down-home, barn dance atmosphere. Admission is $13, students with ID $10. Ashkenaz is located at 1317 San Pablo Ave (near Gilman) in Berkeley. Free parking across the street in the REI lot. For more info, visit the Ashkenaz website. Here are three acoustic songs (studio recordings) and a sample of the Aux Cajunals Big Band, recorded live at Ashkenaz. More acoustic recordings coming soon! When the Levee Breaks (big band)
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Home | Eric and Suzy | Eric Thompson | Suzy Thompson | Bluegrass Intentions | Aux Cajunals | Thompson String Ticklers
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