Musician Brings Louisiana Zydeco Music to Alaska
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Corey Ledet, musician and two-time Grammy nominee, brought Zydeco music from Parks, La, a town with fewer than 700 people, to Anchorage, Alaska.
Corey Ledet’s Zydeco Story
Ledet, born in Houston, spent his summers with relatives in Parks, La, where he was exposed to their Kouri-Veni language and Creole traditions.
He learned everything he could about Creole culture – traditions, food and, most importantly, Zydeco music.
Ledet studied the originators, like Clifton Chenier, John Delafose and Boozoo Chavis.
At the age of 10, Corey picked up shows as a drummer for Houston’s Wilbert Thibodeaux and the Zydeco Rascals, slowly learning his way around the main instrument of the style, the accordion.
Eventually, he moved to Louisiana to fully immerse himself in the Creole culture.
Today, having performed in 15 countries and on multiple tours, Ledet will release his band’s first live Zydeco album, “Live in Alaska,” on Dec. 23.
“Live in Alaska”
Ledet shares how his live performance at Alaska’s Anchorage Folk Festival resulted in the perfect fit for a live recording.
“When the Anchorage Folk Festival came up, I said this might be a good opportunity,” said Ledet. “So I talked to the people over there about it. When I got there, they had all the equipment to record. I got to thinking about Clifton Chenier, a lot of his live recordings were done away from home.”
“If it worked for the King of Zydeco,” Ledet thought, “Let me try this.”
“Live in Alaska” will feature live renditions of English and Creole hits from Ledet’s previous 15 CDs. Additionally, “Alaska Funk,” a new track, is an impromptu, onstage jam with Ledet and his skilled, Louisiana entourage.
“We created that song live on the spot,” said Ledet.
Ledet remains true to his family and cultural roots. Looking for ways to incorporate his upbringing into his musical work, Ledet has created a unique sound that blends old and new styles of Zydeco.
“I love it all. I want my music to be like a good gumbo – full of different styles,” said Ledet. “Everybody likes a gumbo. You’ve got all kinds of stuff. You’ve got your meat, your seasoning, so many different ingredients. That’s what I want my music to be.”
