Hailing from southwest Louisiana, the Pine Leaf Boys, known for their wild shows and thoughtful arrangements, have breathed new life into Cajun music, reviving ancient songs and bringing them to the bandstand.
Being described as, "... the link that connects the young and the old generations," and, "the best new, energetic, and fun Cajun band in a very long time," the Pine Leaf Boys play the old fashion dance hall standards while making a priority to bring many of the more obscure songs of past masters into their repertoire and play them with gusto.
The variety and energy they release evolves through their shows, bringing multi-faceted angles to Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco. Their mission is to present the awesome music of their ancestors and present the real Cajun music to the world and prove that it is still thriving and full of life.Steeped in music since childhood and hailing from farms and towns in Cajun country, the Pine Leaf Boys have preserved the traditional Cajun sound, while allowing it to breathe and stretch with those who play it. They present their music in multiple configurations such as twin fiddle, duo accordion/fiddle, bass, drum, and foot-stomping jurés.
Wilson Savoy, Cajun accordionist, was born and raised near Eunice, Louisiana, in 1982. He began playing boogie-woogie piano at 10 years old after becoming obsessed with Louisiana-native, Jerry Lee Lewis. While in his early teens, his father gave him a homemade accordion built from the wood of a Sasaffras tree that his grandfather planted. Wilson intensely studied the styles of Amede Ardoin and Iry Lejeune, as well as his father (Marc Savoy, known well for being one of the masters of the Cajun accordion) and soon developed a style of his own, full of punch, Creole syncopation, and energy.
Fiddle player Courtney Granger was also born in Eunice, where he lives today. Master fiddler and extraordinary strong singer, Granger hails from the Balfa family lineage, which is evident in his powerful vocals and heavily Balfa-influenced fiddling. He produced his own solo CD in the mid 90s, which brought him praise from the Cajun music scene, landing him several CFMA awards.
Guitar player Jon Bertrand was raised in the thriving hub of Jeff Davis Parish that is Pine Island or Crapeauville where he began life as a cowboy. He began playing guitar and quickly became a rhythm machine, playing with Dexter Ardoin, Cory McCauley, and the Lost Bayou Ramblers.
Drummer Drew Simon was born and raised in Lafayette, and developed an interest in Cajun music in his late teens. At 18, he started playing drums and singing with his brother in a local group called Acadien. Soon after, he learned how to play the accordion, guitar, and bass, and is strictly a traditionalist, playing and singing in a style which has been described as a "simple, older, blue collared cajun."
Bassist Thomas David was also born and raised in Lafayette. By the age of eight he was playing drums alongside his father, Ken David, bassist with Jambalaya Cajun Band. At age 16, his father bought an upright bass and David immediately fell in love with the instrument, and he quickly became become a rock-solid bass player in both Cajun and Zydeco music.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and over, and $12 for youths 17 and under. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at NM Tech Cashier’s Office (second floor of Fidel Center), Brownbilt Western Wear, Sofia’s Kitchen, and Video Shack.
Before the concert, Tech Club – Club Macey (TCCM) holds a social in Macey from 5 to 7 p.m., with Cajon-themed snacks. TCCM is a social club for people 21 and over. There is a $5 cover charge if you are not a member of TCCM.
The concert is co-sponsored by New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union, Socorro Springs, EMRTC, KUNM 89.9 FM, New Mexico Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and Best Western.
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