Title: Made in Louisiana : the story of the Acadian accordion /
Authors: Savoy, Marc
Year: 2021
Subjects: Savoy, Marc; Savoy, Marc; Button-key accordion Louisiana.; Cajun music History and criticism.; Button-key accordion; Cajun music; Louisiana
Abstract: ""Made in Louisiana: The Story of the Acadian Accordion" is a journey through the life of legendary Cajun musician Marc Savoy, recognized as one of the finest builders and players of the Cajun accordion in the world. Born in 1940, Marc grew up in a rural French-speaking community outside of Eunice, Louisiana, and started playing the accordion at age 12. By age 20 he was building and selling his own Acadian brand Cajun accordions and in 1966 he opened the doors to the iconic Savoy Music Center in his hometown. At the heart of "Made in Louisiana" is the story the Cajun people, their fight to hold onto their culture, their traditions, their music, and their language. In the face of Americanization, the Cajun people succeeded in retaining their identity largely due to the efforts of Marc and his friends. Follow him as he attempts to build his first accordion with his father surrounded by the rice fields of southwest Louisiana. Travel with him to communist East Germany to learn about the old German pre-war accordions revered by the early Cajun accordionists. Learn about the serendipitous discovery of where he could obtain quality reeds and bellows required to make better instruments. Meet the people he met along the way that made it happen. This is a story of Cajun ingenuity"--
Contents: Learning to Play -- The Birth of the Acadian Accordion -- The Savoy Music Center -- Cajun Music Reaches a New Audience -- A National Park in Eunice -- Preserving Cajun Music -- A Look Back and a Step Forward -- Timeline of the Acadian Accordion -- Selected essays. The Evolution of the Cajun-Style Accordion ; Helpful Hints : The Road to Easier Playing.