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• A Quickie With ... Dennis Stroughmatt

The Iron Post brings Louisiana Creole Zydeco and Cajun music to Urbana Thursday, Dec. 4 with Dennis Stroughmatt and living legend Morris Ardoin. Spreading the rich history and unique sound of his trademark genre throughout the East Coast, I had a chance to talk to Dennis about his African Creole, his fiddle playing, and his current tour during his trek to Conshohaken, PA for his next show. Make sure to catch the duo next Thursday, Dec. 4 as they reunite in the Midwest at the Iron Post at 7 p.m.

buzz

Dennis Stroughmatt: Well, Ardoin plays mainly African Creole music. It's a mix of blues … and there is usually blues accordion and a fiddle. We play two steps, waltzes and blues. It's really the precursor of Zydeco music, which is actually sung in English (Creole is French). Zydeco is more modern with guitar, bass, and drums.

buzz: What made you choose to play Zydeco and Cajun music?

Stroughmatt: I like the rhythm of the music. The fiddle parts and everything gives it this driving, pumping force that is really energetic. I guess I first became familiar with the culture at SMU where I learned to speak Creole French. I then moved to Lafayette, LA and worked at the historical site, Vermillionville Folklife Village. Then I returned to Illinois and got a Masters of History at SIU.

buzz: You're playing with Morris Ardoin at the Iron Post. What can we expect from him?

Stroughmatt: Ardoin is a living legend. He is one of the last, real black Creole players, being related to Amede Ardoin and son of Alphonse Ardoin, winner of a Grammy. He's one of two or three of them left. Morris Ardoin is an international figure. He's played at Carnegie Hall, Paris, London, I can go on and on. He makes it out to Champaign once a year on his tour so they're lucky over there to get him so often.

buzz: Tell us about your current tour.

Stroughmatt: Well we're touring the East Coast this week and we'll be hitting a lot of the major cities. We actually have a good following over here so it will be fun. There are a lot of very good people engaged in Zydeco. Zydeco does have a scene. It's an underground scene and lots of people don't know about it, but there are actually a lot that do. We played in Providence, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., we're doing Philly tonight and New York City tomorrow.

buzz: What should we expect at the show next week?

Stroughmatt: Well Morris and I will be playing together and we will probably be backed by Rob Krumm (guitars) and I think maybe Jennifer Stroughmatt (rubboard, vocals), my wife, who are both members of Creole Stomp. We'll be playing two steps and waltzes and some blues. It will be a fun time and hopefully there will be some dancing.