Cajun fiddler Michael Doucet performs with David Doucet and Mitchell Reed

...from the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Michael Doucet, fiddler, composer, and bandleader, is perhaps the single most important figure in the revitalization of Cajun music in the USA. Cajun is the shorthand name for the French settlers of southwest Louisiana who were expelled from the Acadian region of Canada in the 18th century. During the first half of the 20th century, both the language and music of French Louisiana seemed to be in decline. In 1975, Doucet applied to the National Endowment for the Arts for an apprenticeship grant to study with and document the master fiddlers of his region. As a result of this project, he was able to learn first-hand from the great masters of Cajun and Creole music with links to an earlier era.

Find Michael Doucets Smithsonian Folkways album, From Now On, at http://www.folkways.si.edu/albumdetails.aspx?itemid=3207

To learn more about Smithsonian Folkways visit http://www.folkways.si.edu
To find out more about the Smithsonian Folklife Festival visit http://festival.si.edu/
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Category:

Music

Tags:

• cajun
• acadian
• fiddle
• francophone
• Folklife festival
• strings
• guitar

[fredcoonbanjo]

One of the people he learned from was my friend of many years, Dewey Balfa. His interpretation of Dewey's style is more modern than the old timers played but his delivery is absolutely driving and captures the feeling that was delivered by Dewey and his brothers and Nathan Abshire and other of the old timers of Cajun music. Bon Ton

[shelibeane]

Michael Doucet is my favorite Cajun musician...one cannot possibly listen to Cajun music and remain sad!! LOVE this--thanks for sharing this fabulous video Aieeee!!!

[starcontrol2]

fucking right! down home fiddlin' at it's best!

[Jthetinman]

In one of George Straits songs, he says, ain't nothin better than twin fiddles an a steel guitar. Ain't that da truth!!! Thanx guys!

[seasaltandpassion]

I'd give anything to be able to do that! :-)

[lifevorce]

Cajuns fight the power! Don't let 'em take you to a FEMA camp--in no White Cattle Cars--labled Fema...!