April 19-22, 2007
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Terrance Simien
Saturday, April 19, 7:30 PM
Sundance Square Main Stage
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A Featured Entertainer in our Music on Main presented by WaMu series!
Terrance Simien, born Sept. 3, 1965 grew up at the crossroads of State Highway 190 and Rural Route 103 in Mallet, Louisiana in St. Landry Parish, the heart of French speaking Creole country. He hails from one of the earliest families documented to have settled that rural area of South Louisiana. At the crossroads where he grew up sits the building that anchors the small parish community, St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church. Inside that church Terrance learned to love the spiritual side of making music. Today he still lends that soulful voice and his deep spirituality to St. Ann's for a funeral of a family member or friend from that same prairie village.
Just down from that junction sits another unassuming building, a landmark of sorts to locals and tourists alike. (Robert Duval visited there once escorted by brother Greg, who did the honors while Terrance was on tour) This legendary music room is called Richard's (pronounced Reeshard's) and is possibly the wildest of the many roadhouses in SW Louisiana. If church brought forth a sanctified sound then Richard's is where a teenage Terrance first learned about low down, tail shaking party music. Zydeco: that accordion and rub board (frottoir) fueled stuff that could bring ecstasy to even the most dispirited Creole-a French speaking multi-cultural native of mixed African, French, Spanish and Native American Heritage.
There had to be a way to combine both the sensual and spiritual sides of his musical life, but it couldn't happen in Mallet. Living at those crossroads offered Simien a means of escape. He followed Highway I-90 straight out of there. That road has brought him to us, now an insightful and experienced artist; he was only a precocious 17-year-old when he first hit the highway with his young band.
It all began for the young Simien in the early 1980’s during a time when the indigenous music of the Creoles was really just considered “old folks” music, with only 3 young emerging bands performing the music of their zydeco forefathers. During this period the music was in great jeopardy of becoming extinct. It was simply Terrance Simien, Buckwheat Zydeco and the Sam Brothers carrying on the tradition. While Simien’s friends were all listening to the popular music of that time, (he was as well) he was also busy searching out his musical roots in Zydeco music: a bold choice for any teenager.
He left home to tour the world. In the process he has become one of the most internationally recognized artists in the genre. Now a “Living Legend: his conscious choice as a young artist to preserve his indigenous music makes him an important cultural asset and celebrated ambassador for the state of Louisiana. Simien has gone on to share studio/stage with Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Robert Palmer, Los Lobos and Dave Matthews Band to name a few.
He has conquered film and records with the same intensity he brings to the stage. He dots the soundtrack and appears in the film "The Big Easy". If Paul Simon ever releases "The Graceland Basement Tapes", you'll find an exuberant young Terrance harmonizing with Simon on the standard, "You Used to Call Me", released on a 45 in 1987. (It was released in 2006!)
A debut release, "Zydeco on the Bayou", hit the stores in 1990. Stunning in its clarity and energy and even more so for the presence of original songs. Terrance writes from a very different perspective than many other zydeco artists. Inspired by some of the greatest songwriters of our time: Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Robbie Robertson of the Band his songwriting is somewhat more complex than the “recycled vamps exalting dog hills and salty dogs.” Zydeco’s own greats, Clifton Chenier, John Delafose and Rockin Sidney all had a profound affect on him as well. On his second full release several years later, "There's Room for Us All", Terrance makes good on his love of all things spiritual and sensual. The project garnered significant critical acclaim with Rolling Stone giving it an unprecedented 3½ star review comparing him vocally to Sam Cooke, Stax greats and showing crossover class.
As Simien evolves to create a fusion of sound like no other, both critics and fans agree that he is taking his beloved zydeco music to a new level and into a larger music world, the celebrating circles of American roots music. He continues to raise the standards for his genre by establishing himself as a formidable songwriter and an absolutely astonishing singer, who evokes comparisons to Sam Cooke and Aaron Neville. He is one of the most sought after artists in roots music today.
His musical journey continues on its own unique course with his 1999 release of “Positively Beadhead”. He once again offers up an eclectic fusion of first class originals and diverse covers making them seem refreshingly new with his unlikely arrangements and his extraordinary vocals. His touring foundation has solidified & his fans aptly call themselves "Beadheads" as a reference to the highly anticipated segment of his show when he tosses out, by the fistfuls, those ever enticing, authentic, sparkling Mardi Gras beads!
He continues to expand his creative vision and increase the awareness of his native Creole culture with a collection of mostly original songs for family listening, “Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco.” The CD (w/6 pg. study guide is now housed in about 200 libraries around the country. Since its debut in 2001 the live arts-in-education informance, informational performance has reached over 200,000 K-12 students and teachers at schools and art centers in 20 states, Canada, Australia, Paraguay and Mali, West Africa. Audiences are treated to this unique multicultural music experience. Simien offers a bit of history recalling the early days of Zydeco music and its pioneers. His all ages audiences come to understand who the Creoles are and that they were some of the first families of Louisiana who settled the area over 300 years ago. They are told of the origins of the word zydeco, the meaning of Mardi Gras and or that the word Gumbo is really an African word for okra. The audiences gain an appreciation for the simplicity of life and the colorful celebrations that make up what is said to be one of the most complex rural sub-cultures in North America.
In the spring of 2001 Simien was invited to tour with the Dave Matthews Band on multiple arena/shed dates. Dave introduced the band each night urging his audience to “take notice” of his friends from Louisiana and then later joined Terrance for a duet. This was yet another nod to Simien’s level of artistry. “The Tribute Sessions”, his poignant 2001 release that honors many of his musical heroes through their own songs has been called “the most significant zydeco release of the year”. (PopMatters) It was voted by Offbeat Magazine, New Orleans, as one of the Top 50 CD’s of the year. The narration connecting the songs offers personal reflection about his relationship with each of these artists and is delivered both tastefully and sincerely: a difficult balance in a project like this.
He furthers his mission with the formation of his non-profit MusicMatters, artist advocacy and education organization for the advancement of music artists in his community. His work emphasizes the responsibility of all to address and invest in infrastructure building, professional development and artists rights for increased economic benefits to Louisiana’s indigenous music artists who are unique and valuable cultural assets.
Simien has further dedicated himself to the advancement of his music and fellow artists by leading a national effort to create a new Zydeco and Cajun Music Grammy voting category. His efforts proved to be successful and on Sunday, February 10, 2008, Terrance Simien and Zydeco Experience received the first Grammy awarded in the Best Zydeco and Cajun Music Album category.
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