zydeco
Richmond, California
The brightest star in the underappreciated West Coast zydeco scene, Andre Thierry has deep roots in the raucous, accordion-driven Creole dance music native to South Louisiana. A soulful singer and virtuosic accordionist, he plays a blend of traditional and original music he calls “accordion soul.” Andre is a bold innovator within a music tradition that has thrived in California’s Bay Area since the mid-20th century—enticing folks of all generations and backgrounds to don their cowboy boots, grab a partner, and hit the dance floor.
Some say the word zydeco derives from the old song “Les Haricots Sont Pas Salé”; others from an African word for “dance.” As for the music, it undoubtedly sprung from the blend of Afro-Caribbean, French, African American, and Indigenous cultures that “creolized” in Southwest Louisiana, emerging when earlier Creole music traditions mixed with blues and R&B after World War II. Pioneered especially by Clifton Chenier, today zydeco remains as adaptive as ever. Accordion-led and accompanied by rubboard, electric guitar, bass, and drums. Andre’s unique, soul-driven sound invites an even broader audience into an ever-evolving tradition.
Thierry is the son of Louisiana Creole parents who met in the Bay Area port city of Richmond—at a zydeco dance organized by his maternal grandparents, Houston Pete and “Mama” Lena Pitre. Part of the Great Migration of southern African Americans who ventured north and west in search of better opportunities throughout the Jim Crow era, many Creole families from Louisiana headed to California, bringing their language and culture with them. They included both sets of Andre’s grandparents and their kids—all of whom settled in Richmond in the 1950s. Houston Pete and Mama Lena began holding French Creole dances called “la las” at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, where many of Louisiana’s best musicians would play for the local Creole community.
Born in 1979, Andre was raised by his grandparents in a rich Creole cultural environment. Declared a future accordion player at age three by Clifton Chenier, Andre taught himself how to play. He formed his own band, “Zydeco Magic,” at just 12 years old, and quickly became among the most sought-after players on the West Coast. Today, he is acclaimed for his versatile chops and compositions that honor and expand zydeco’s legacy, collaborating with artists ranging from David Hidalgo of Los Lobos to rock singer Sammy Hagar. “Clifton [Chenier] had no fear,” he says, noting the importance of cross-pollination. “If he liked a blues song he heard, he’d adapt it to his sound. If he liked a rock and roll hit, he’d adapt it…. You have to keep things fresh.”
With a short film about him called California Creole, seven records, two “Best Zydeco Group” awards from the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame, and a Grammy nomination to his name, Thierry has had no shortage of recognition. Never idle, he’s set to release a new single, “You Only Live Once,” right before the Richmond Folk Festival. Performing with him are Louisiana-based artists Bobby Broussard (guitar) and Randal Lee Jackson II (bass), as well as Bay Area-based CJ Phillips (vocals, rubboard) and Demetrius Tolefree, Jr (drums). Thierry also looks forward to bringing his new youth program to the festival. Named after his album Are you Ready to Learn?, his interactive demonstration teaches kids about Creole music and culture—especially the accordion. “Making the accordion cool in America?” he chuckles. “I won’t ever give up on that.”