Cajun Sole
SW 3002 | 2003 | A brief history...
The Mamou Cajun Band was the traditional three-piece Cajun band of Cyprien Landreneau on the accordion and Adam Landreneau on the violin, accompanied by Jerry Devillier or Isom Fontenot on a triangle or 'tit fer.
It was this Mamou Cajun Band that toured Europe in 1966, played at several National Folk Festivals since 1967, played the 1964 Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island, the 1968 New Orleans Jazz Festival, the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Jewish Community Center in Houston, Texas in 1966, the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park in New York City, and at various cultural and official functions in the major cities of Louisiana. They've appeared on the folk documentary film shown by Pete Seegar throughout the world and were filmed by the United States Information Service for television broadcasts throughout South America.
The Mamou Cajun Band and both Cyp' and Adam, individually, were also selected for recognition in Who's Who in America in 1968. Though they never claimed to be professional musicians, Cyprien Landreneau and Adam Landreneau participated in Festival of American Folklife Company, sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution under a contract with the U.S. Department of State.
Cyprien "Cyp" Landreneau (born April 7, 1903 - died Feb. 1, 1981) was a farmer and grew rice, soybeans, corn and cotton, along with vegetables for his table. He raised chickens, ducks, geese, guineas, hogs, cattle and sheep to supply meat for himself, his wife, and his thirteen children and numerous grandchildren.
Adam Landreaneau (born Sept. 4, 1909 - died Dec. 28, 1972) was a farmer like Cyprien. His farm was located along one of the many natural streams in Louisiana, furnishing a constant supply of catfish, soft-shell and logger-head turtle, and crawfish to his large family and a few chosen customers. He learned violin from his father and he played like his grandfather taught his father to play as a young boy.
Although Cyp & Adam were both members of the large and prominent Landreneau clan, they were only distantly related. |