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Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole

Resurrecting the ancient sounds of French and Spanish dances alongside the spiritual rhythms of the Congo tribes of West Africa, Louisiana musician Cedric Watson and band members Bijou Creole are bringing their passionate music to North Troy!

One of the most promising talents to emerge in Cajun, Creole, and Louisianan Zydeco music, Cedric Watson is a four-time Grammy nominee from San Felipe, Texas, who made his first public appearance in Houston at age 19. "An aggressive and gifted reanimator of Louisiana Creole music, Cedric Watson sings in entrancing brays and yelps and plays fiddle and accordion in cocksure fashion." The New York Times. Watson received a Grammy nomination for his self-titled debut album, released in 2008. He has performed on six additional full-length albums, including three with his own band, Bijou Creole members: D'Jalma Garnier (fiddle and guitar), Ryan Poullard (drums), Lance Boston (clarinet), and "Zydeco" Mike Chaisson (percussion).

As a singer, fiddler, accordionist, and songwriter, Watson is a diverse young artist whose repertoire ranges from old Creole melodies to more modern Cajun and Zydeco songs. The band also draws on various musical styles, often incorporating bluegrass or string band numbers into performance sets. Additionally, Watson composes almost all of the band's songs on his own accordion. The band's 2009 release L'ésprit Créole received a Grammy nomination and featured entirely original material. In 2011, Watson and the band released their self-produced album Le Soleil est Levé. The album features Watson's special mix ofCaribbean and Cajun flavor, crossing international barriers while delivering songs of joy.

Drawing on their mixed cultural heritage and varied musical backgrounds, Watson & Bijou Creole combine Spanish, African, French, and Native American sounds to make a unique tapestry during their performance which "runs the gamut" of Cajun and Creole music. "[I]t manages to retain an organic quality that makes for an engaging listen. Stirring vocals weave expertly around and through well-crafted rhythms and melodies." Living Blues. Watson finds the interrelation of cultures in his music extremely important, particularly the Native American rhythms, and works to create a unique sound that is at once both progressive and nostalgic.