MONROE - Every so often, a band comes along that redefines a genre of music and carries it even further. Monroe Arts Center presents the lively and high-energy Louisiana music from French Creole fiddler and accordionist, Dennis Stroughmatt, and his band Creole Stomp at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16. The excitement and joie de vivre (meaning "the cheerful enjoyment of life") of Creole zydeco, Cajun, blues, and New Orleans swamp pop will heat up the Monroe Arts Center stage with the ever-evolving musical gumbo of Creole Stomp.
Traditional Louisiana Cajun two-steps, reels and waltzes sizzle in the stew along with Creole Blues, Mazurkas, and Zydecos. In addition to the nonstop fun of a Creole Stomp concert, they also include some explanation of Cajun and Creole culture, some bilingual translation, and history of the songs performed. All songs are accompanied vocally in authentic Louisiana French.
Illinois native Dennis Stroughmatt's journey into the roots of Cajun and French Creole music, stories and language began in the small isolated communities around Sainte Genevieve, Mo. There he learned from diverse master fiddlers such as Roy Boyer and Charlie Pashia, a blend of old-style French roots music, with infusions of Celtic bowing and Metis rhythms. Dennis is a recognized African Creole and French Creole fiddler master. He also is a fluid Creole-style accordionist, having studied with the Louisiana-based musical legend, Morris Ardoin (son of legendary Bois Sec). Today, Dennis is a keeper of traditions in the old styles of both upper and lower Louisiana, a Creole fiddler, accordionist, speaker, historian, and foremost, musician. He has been honored many times in Louisiana and has released four CDs on Swallow Records, the preeminent Cajun/Creole record label.
Performing alongside Dennis Stroughmatt are the four, multi-talented musicians of Creole Stomp. They are Jon Watson, a Freeport, Ill., resident (drums/mandolin); Jennifer Stroughmatt (washboard/triangle/vocal); Rob Krumm (bass/vocal); and Robert Russell (lead guitar/steel guitar/vocal). Together, they have been hailed as "one of the hardest-working bands in live music." Don't miss this last concert in the Monroe Arts Center's 2008-2009 entertainment season. Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp leave audiences breathless and cheering for more with an exciting sound that is fresh and straight from the bayous and prairies of Southwest Louisiana.
Reserved seat tickets for Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp are $25 and $20, and may be purchased by calling the Monroe Arts Center box office at (608) 325-5700. Additional information regarding this performance and other Monroe Arts Center events can be found online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter The Swiss Colony, and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting provided by Martin Arnold and Rachel Long; Paul and Sue Barrett; Bob and Jenny Duxstad; Mike and Norah Sanders; Lance and Daphne Sathoff; Chuck and Chris Wellington; Brian and Cindy Zimmerman; Deb Thompson; Bert Benkert; and Tom and Sue Nelson.
Traditional Louisiana Cajun two-steps, reels and waltzes sizzle in the stew along with Creole Blues, Mazurkas, and Zydecos. In addition to the nonstop fun of a Creole Stomp concert, they also include some explanation of Cajun and Creole culture, some bilingual translation, and history of the songs performed. All songs are accompanied vocally in authentic Louisiana French.
Illinois native Dennis Stroughmatt's journey into the roots of Cajun and French Creole music, stories and language began in the small isolated communities around Sainte Genevieve, Mo. There he learned from diverse master fiddlers such as Roy Boyer and Charlie Pashia, a blend of old-style French roots music, with infusions of Celtic bowing and Metis rhythms. Dennis is a recognized African Creole and French Creole fiddler master. He also is a fluid Creole-style accordionist, having studied with the Louisiana-based musical legend, Morris Ardoin (son of legendary Bois Sec). Today, Dennis is a keeper of traditions in the old styles of both upper and lower Louisiana, a Creole fiddler, accordionist, speaker, historian, and foremost, musician. He has been honored many times in Louisiana and has released four CDs on Swallow Records, the preeminent Cajun/Creole record label.
Performing alongside Dennis Stroughmatt are the four, multi-talented musicians of Creole Stomp. They are Jon Watson, a Freeport, Ill., resident (drums/mandolin); Jennifer Stroughmatt (washboard/triangle/vocal); Rob Krumm (bass/vocal); and Robert Russell (lead guitar/steel guitar/vocal). Together, they have been hailed as "one of the hardest-working bands in live music." Don't miss this last concert in the Monroe Arts Center's 2008-2009 entertainment season. Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp leave audiences breathless and cheering for more with an exciting sound that is fresh and straight from the bayous and prairies of Southwest Louisiana.
Reserved seat tickets for Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp are $25 and $20, and may be purchased by calling the Monroe Arts Center box office at (608) 325-5700. Additional information regarding this performance and other Monroe Arts Center events can be found online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter The Swiss Colony, and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting provided by Martin Arnold and Rachel Long; Paul and Sue Barrett; Bob and Jenny Duxstad; Mike and Norah Sanders; Lance and Daphne Sathoff; Chuck and Chris Wellington; Brian and Cindy Zimmerman; Deb Thompson; Bert Benkert; and Tom and Sue Nelson.