Boozoo Chavis

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Boozoo Chavis (1997)

Boozoo Chavis (born October 23, 1930 in Lake Charles , Louisiana , † May 5, 2001 in Austin , Texas ), actually Wilson Anthony Chavis , was an American pioneer of Zydeco music, the "King of Zydeco" ( King of Zydeco ). He had his first Zydeco hit in 1954 with Paper in My Shoe . Because of his usual presentation with white Stetson he was also known as the "Creole Cowboy" ( Creole Cowboy ).

biography

Chavis 'mother raised ponies and ran a dance club where Chavis' father played the accordion, often accompanied by Morris "Big" Chenier and his nephew Clifton . Chavis taught himself to play the accordion and soon gained local popularity. Producer Eddie Shuler invited him to take pictures that resulted in Paper in My Shoe . The single was surprisingly a hit.

However, there was no second hit. In 1964 Chavis recorded 16 tracks with Jo-el Sonnier and Little Brother Griffin in the presence of blues researcher Mike Leadbitter , but only one single was released. After that, Chavis retired from the music business for two decades and bred ponies. He only made music in private.

In 1984 Chavis made a comeback. He has released a number of highly regarded albums and performed at major folk festivals, including the Newport Folk Festival and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. An appearance by Chavis can be seen in the video documentation "The Kingdom of Zydeco" from 1994. In 1998 he was inducted into the "Zydeco Hall of Fame".

Boozoo Chavis died in 2001 while touring after a heart attack and subsequent stroke.

Discography

Albums

  • Louisiana Zydeco Music (1986)
  • Boozoo Zydeco (1987)
  • Paper In My Shoe (1987)
  • Live At Richard's (1988)
  • Zydeco Homebrew (1989)
  • Boozoo Chavis (1990)
  • The Lake Charles Atomic Bomb (1990)
  • Zydeco Trail Ride (1990)
  • Boozoo That's Who! (1993)
  • Live At The Habibi Temple (1994) Living Blues Award 1995
  • Hey Do Right (1997)
  • Who Stole The Monky (1999)
  • Down Home On Dog Hill (2001)

Singles (selection)

  • Paper in My Shoes (1954)
  • Make Up Your Mind (1987)
  • Suzy-Q (1989)
  • Zydeco Mardi Gras (1990)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Chavis, boozoo
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Chavis, Wilson Anthony
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American pioneer of Zydeco music
DATE OF BIRTH October 23, 1930
PLACE OF BIRTH Lake Charles , Louisiana
DATE OF DEATH May 5, 2001
Place of death Austin , Texas