The artist is a self-taught maverick.
Zydeco music is exciting to begin with, but Jeffery Broussard makes it even more so. Perhaps it's because music surges through his blood. While growing up, the Louisiana native played drums in bands led by his father and brother, and he taught himself to play the accordion.
Over the years, Broussard has become a skillful player of many types of accordions, including triple-row and single-row diatonic button models. He also performs on guitar, fiddle, bass and percussion instruments in his band, Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, who visit the UW Memorial Union Terrace on Saturday, May 24.
These four tracks from the group's most recent recording, 2011's Return of the Creole, are essential listening before the concert.
If you're unfamiliar with zydeco music, this track is a good starting point. Featuring Broussard's lively accordion, this up-tempo number is designed to make you dance before you know much about what's going on musically. Add to this some groovy guitar licks to help keep the pace, and you have yourself a recipe for an undeniably good time.
Zydeco is known for its exuberance, but the songs aren't always up-tempo. This track ambles along at the pace of a slow dance, with Broussard's accordion solos augmenting the bluesy guitars.
The majority of Broussard's work is instrumental, with little more than a catchy phrase or a whoop of elation, so this track is a nice surprise. It shows the musician's versatility as a vocalist and lyricist. Plus, he sings in French, sharing another facet of his heritage with listeners.
'Zydeco Coteau'
This track sounds like an accordion-led ska tune, the kind that spurs the crowd to get down in any manner they’d like. It should be a big hit on the Terrace if it appears on the set list.
