Global Arab Network | The Pine Leaf Boys to Perform in Abu Dhabi

Translate this article to your language:

GANPublications

e-Publications

Add Site to Favorites

Add Page to Favorites

Make Homepage

Share This Page

RSS Feed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |

The Pine Leaf Boys to Perform in Abu Dhabi

Global Arab Network - - Adam Turner

Saturday, 11 April 2009 23:28

Two-time Grammy Award-nominated Cajun musicians “The Pine Leaf Boys" will perform at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation on April 12, 2009 at 8pm. The program, sponsored by the American Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, highlights the ongoing partnership between the United States and the United Arab Emirates to bring world-class American music and cultural experiences to Emirati audiences. The Pine Leaf Boys will give other performances and workshops throughout the United Arab Emirates.

“The Pine Leaf Boys” will also hold a joint workshop with ADACH’s Arab Beit Al Oud (“House of the Oud”) in Abu Dhabi on April 13, 2009, one day following the concert. Prominent music professors from Beit Al Oud, led by Iraqi oud artist Naseer Shamma, and students will participate in the program. In 2008, the Arab Beit Al Oud House held its first concert in Abu Dhabi, with the participation of fourteen musicians from around the Arab World in a program supervised and led by Naseer Shamma.

The Pine Leaf Boys have made a name for presenting their own inimitable brand of Cajun music with youthful exuberance. Hailing from southwest Louisiana and known for their engaging shows and thoughtful arrangements, they have breathed new life into Cajun music by reviving traditional songs and bringing them to the modern bandstand. In talking about their visit to the UAE, accordionist Wilson Savoy commented, “We are very honored to have been invited by the State Department to take part in this wonderful program. We never would have thought we would receive the prestigious honor of representing Cajun music in the Middle East.”

Cajun Music is the traditional dance music of Southwest Louisiana. A powerful, energetic music full of soul and blues, it has been passed from grandparents to parents since the 1700s. 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 honor old-fashioned standards by incorporating the rare and less-well-known works of past masters into their repertoire in a new and energetic style. The variety and energy they release evolves through their shows, bringing multi-faceted angles to Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco music.

Musician Biographies

WILSON SAVOY, accordion & fiddle & vocals, was born and raised near Eunice, Louisiana. Wilson grew up in a house steeped in Cajun music. Influenced by his parents, Marc and Ann Savoy, as well as friends of the family, such as the legendary Dennis McGee and Dewey Balfa, Wilson learned dozens of songs many years before he even touched the accordion or the fiddle. In his early teens, his father using the wood from his grandfather’s Sassafras tree to build him a homemade accordion. Wilson has played in many groups over the years like the White Mule Boys, the Red Stick Ramblers, the Savoy-Family Band, the Chuch Point Aces with Paul Daigle and Mitch Reed. In 2006, Wilson debuted in the film “All the King’s Men” as a piano player alongside actor Sean Penn.

COURTNEY GRANGER, fiddle & vocals, was born in Eunice, Louisiana where he lives today. Courtney hails from the Balfa family lineage, and this strong family tradition is evident in his powerful vocals and Balfa-influenced fiddling. Courtney produced his own solo CD in the mid 1990s and has won several Cajun French Music Association awards. In 2002, Courtney joined Balfa Toujours on bass and fiddle, playing alongside the great Kevin Wimmer. Courtney’s endless repertoire of both Cajun and classic country tunes, as well his impeccable thoughtful fiddling and soulful singing, has made him one of the most sought-after Cajun fiddlers in the world. The Pine Leaf Boys are honored to share the stage with Courtney, who joined the group in summer 2008

DREW SIMON, drums & vocals, Drew Simon was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana 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. Drew is strictly a traditionalist, playing and singing in a style which has been described as a "simple, older, blue-collar cajun." As he sits behind the drumset or the accordion, he hopes to bring back some of the memories, spirit, and soul of a generation long ago, of Cajun musicians who told their life sorrows and pains through their music.

JON BERTRAND, guitars, was raised in the thriving hub of Jefferson Davis Parish. He began playing guitar at a young age, and he quickly discovered he was a rhythm machine. Jon has played alongside Dexter Ardoin, Cory McCauley, and the Lost Bayou Ramblers. Jon's major influences are Cory McCauley, Harry Choates, the Hackberry Ramblers, Iry LeJeune, Austin Pitre, and Sonny Meaux. Jon completed his studies at the University of Louisiana in French, and today he lives with the rest of the Pine Leaf Boys in Lafayette, Louisiana. Jon listens to many music groups, not just Cajun.

THOMAS DAVID, bass, was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. By the age of eight, he was playing drums alongside his father, Ken David, the bassist with Jambalaya Cajun Band. When he turned sixteen, his father bought an upright bass and Thomas immediately fell in love with the instrument. Thomas quickly became become a rock-solid bass player in both Cajun and Zydeco music. His influences are Bob Wills, Asleep at the Wheel, D.L. Menard, the Jambalaya Cajun Band, Aldus Roger, Adam Hebert and, of course, his dad.

Global Arab Network

Add comment

The opinions of the authors in articles published are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Arab Network
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published comments are the opinions of private individuals and do not reflect the views of Global Arab Network