Houston, TX and Southwest LA (WGNO) — Juneteenth started 157 years in the past in East Texas, as a celebration of freedom for individuals of coloration.
One thing that’s simply as massive in East Texas at this time and Louisiana as effectively, celebrates freedom in rhythm. WGNO’s Chief photographer sat down with David Rubin, recognized on stage as “Rockin Dopsie Jr.,” to study Zydeco music.
June can be black music month in the US and Rockin Dopsie is aware of Zydeco as being a part of a tradition of black rhythm and music that was blended with blues and jazz.
“After they first began Zydeco, it used nothing however an accordion and a washboard. From the late 40’s, 50’s to the early 60’s, it was known as La La music. My grandfather used to go to individuals’s homes on Saturdays and filter out the lounge and would say they have been going to the La La! It was simply the accordion and the washboard. They might cost ten cents to get in, to play in any person’s lounge,” says Dopsie.
Many individuals from Louisiana through the years, have moved from Louisiana to Texas. A part of the rationale have been numerous hurricanes that compelled some to seek out new reside in Houston. Rockin Dopsie says, “there’s lots of people from throughout Louisiana that moved to Houston Texas. Once we go there to play Zydeco, there may be loads of household and lots of people who grew up listening to that kind of music. From Lake Charles to Beaumont to Houston Texas, there may be sturdy fan base for Zydeco music.”
Dopsie notices that in Juneteenth celebrations in Texas, Zydeco is all the time a part of the enjoyable saying, “for me, Juneteenth not solely celebrates what African Individuals have been by means of, however additionally it is a celebration for the subsequent technology. We’ve to have fun for the individuals who have paved the street for us. For Juneteenth celebrations, we must always have all sorts of African American music, together with: Zydeco, Blues, Funk Music, Second Line, Brass Band. That’s our style. In French, Zydeco means snap beans that aren’t salty. The explanation they name it that’s as a result of once you hear Zydeco, you possibly can’t assist however assist however snap your fingers and do one thing. You need to transfer one thing. I don’t care if it’s a finger, a toe or an ear, one thing goes to shake once you hear Zydeco!”
