Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole
Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole, Louisiana musician, brought their passionate music of French and Spanish dances alongside the spiritual rhythms of the Congo tribes of West Africa 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.
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 of Caribbean 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.