Zydeco musician to open Fermilab's arts series

Musician Buckwheat Zydeco is bringing the sound of Louisiana to Batavia next month.

He will kick off the new season of the Fermilab Arts and Lecture Series with a concert at 8 p.m. Sept. 15 in Wilson Hall's Ramsey Auditorium.

He was the first zydeco musician signed to a major record label and the first to appear on national television. Since 1999 he has owned record company Tomorrow Records, where he releases his own albums and others from up-and-coming artists.

The zydeco sound comes from music that originated with the Cajun and Creole groups in Louisiana, with elements of blues, soul, rock and country mixed in.

While growing up in Lafayette, La., his father encouraged him to explore zydeco, but preferred playing rhythm and blues on the family piano.

It wasn't until he saw his father's friend, zydeco legend Clifton Chenier, in concert in the 1970s that he was convinced of the musical style's merits. Not long after, he spent a year teaching himself to play accordion and sing. His zydeco group, The Ils Sont Partis Band, debuted in 1979.

Now 49 years old, Buckwheat is one of the genre's most celebrated artists with four Grammy nominations, successful tours and performances at the 1996 Olympics and both of former President Bill Clinton's inaugurations.

Recently he talked about his life and career with the Daily Herald. An edited version of the interview follows.

Q. How would you describe zydeco music for people who are not familiar with it?

A. The music is "roots music" and all different types of music. (It's) very energetic -- takes you to a different level. When have you ever heard of an accordion playing Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton? I tell people, "Bring two pairs of shoes with you. If you don't move, you should go to the doctor 'cause something's wrong with you … When you come, come ready."

Q. Your last studio album, "Jackpot!," was released in 2005. Is there anything that you're working on right now?

A. We are, we are. I don't know when we're going to release it, but we've got something in the bag.

Q. You've been recording zydeco music for nearly 30 years. What do you think has contributed has contributed to your longevity?

A. I would say the culture of the music, the energy of the music. It's energetic. … My music is so mixed up. It's party music.

Q. You have collaborated with a lot of notable people including Eric Clapton and Mavis Staples. Is there anyone you haven't worked with who you would like to work with in the future?

A. The Rev. (Al Green, the 1970s soul artist) and I would like to play some organ behind Fats Domino.

Q. Do you still reside in Louisiana?

A. (I) live in Carencro, which is four miles north of Lafayette. A few places in the Layfayette area (were damaged by Hurricane Katrina). I can still live in my house. People in (New Orleans) still don't have houses, so I don't have no right to complain. I'm sitting 130 miles (west) of New Orleans.

Q. Do you try to bring zydeco music to a new audience?

A. This music is so rare. You have people that still haven't heard zydeco live -- there's always new people.

Q. Why did you decide to start your own record company?

A. You see, it was to a point where all your companies start selling out … that happened to me three times. When (someone) bought the company, they bought the artist, too. Sometimes you don't know who you've been performing for. (I said) let's go on and try this -- I don't know what the future's going be like. I know new technology's going to come out. You can't stay in the past.

Q. How has the experience been?

A. Talk about a struggle. You got people who sold millions in music a few years ago who are struggling to sell 20,000 copies. Something can happen in a split second or it can happen in four or five years. (But) this is me. I love what I do.

Q. How you respond to critics who say you don't play "pure" zydeco music?

A. The way I feel about it, it's a good thing you have critics. They want you to play the same thing you played in 1960 -- the whole concert. I will not perform for one set of people. It's not the roots. I'll never get away from the roots. I don't worry about it. The problem you have is when you don't hear nothing about you.

Q. What are your plans for the future?

A. My thing is my way, long as I can perform. I'll be doing that until I can't do it anymore.