History of the Zydeco Rubboard - MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies

MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies tell the story of the Zydeco Rubboard (Frottoir) in every performance. Mister MOJO and his best friend, Tee Don Landry (whose daddy made the first Zydeco Rubboard for Clifton Chenier), documented the history of the first Zydeco Rubboard. Tee Don still makes Zydeco Rubboards in the tradition of his daddy. Two of his rubboards are in The Smithsonian. The Zydeco Rubboard is unique to Southwest Louisiana music, and serves as a global icon for Louisiana Culture. To learn more history, visit www.zydecorubboards.com .

CORRECTION! This was a LIVE performance, and Mister MOJO mis-stated a fact: There are actually a few more instruments invented in America (e.g., steam calliope, monophonic synthesizer, and others). Mister MOJO should have said "the Zydeco Rubboard is one of only a few instruments invented in America". Apologies to other inventors and their fans.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• rubboard
• zydeco
• washboard
• scrubboard
• louisiana
• new
• orleans
• cajun

[SuleDrum]

Hello, there! Thanks for putting the history out! I do appreciate it! I used to work at the Smithsonian; who'd you work with to get the frattrois in?

Sule Greg Wilson

[mojou2]

Sorry I didn't see your question before today! We worked with Mr. Steve Velasquez at the Smithsonian. Steve has moved on to another department at the Smithsonian, but we're eternally grateful for his guidance!

[mojou2]

There are lots of compositions for all these instruments. Some of us are old enough to remember Steam Calliopes from the circus and the old fairs. Some remember early appearances of the mono-synthesizer as classic lines in rock and classical music from decades ago. And there are many songs that feature fabulous rubboard solos.

[pwei34]

Wish someone would compose some music for steam calliope, monophonic synthesizer and Zydeco Rub-board.