Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"An alluring zydeco talent." - Staff
"A Master of nouveau zydeco: anchored in tradition, but peppered with contemporary influences." - Staff
"A rising Zydeco star. More than just a one dimensional party band and Simien's soulful ballads could hold their own against Aaron Neville and Sam Cooke." - Staff
Discography
Creole for Kids - Take Me to the Trail Ride (2002)
The Tribute Sessions (2001)
Rollin Into Memphis: The Songs of John Hiatt (2000)
Best of Byron Bay Blues Festival (2000)
Positively Beadhead (1999)
Ga Ga for Ya Ya: Zydeco Madness (1999)
Jam the Jazzfest (1998)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Terrance Simien grew up at the Crossroads of State Highway 190 and Rural Route 103 in Mallet, Louisiana. Just down from that junction sits another unassuming building, Richard's (pronounced Reeshard's), a landmark of sorts to locals and tourists alike where Terrance first learned about low down, tail shaking party music. Zydeco: that accordion and rubboard (frottoir) fueled stuff that could bring ecstasy to even the most dispirited Creole-a French speaking native of mixed African, French, Spanish and Native American Heritage.
There had to be a way to combine both the sensual and spiritual sides of his musical life, but it couldn't happen in Mallet. Living at those crossroads offered Simien a means of escape. He followed Highway I-90 straight out of there. That road has brought him to us, now an insightful and experienced artist; he was only a precocious 17-year-old when he first hit the highway with his young band.
There are few better live performers. Terrance bounces around the stage like a gleeful hippie-haired, barefooted teddy bear, his squeezebox dangling off his body like one heavy come on. After two decades of touring, he has paid his dues and forged a special place for himself and his unique fusion of sound in the music industry. He continues to raise the standards for his genre by establishing himself as a formidable songwriter and an absoulutely astonishing singer, who evokes comparisons to Sam Cooke and Aaron Neville. He is one of the most sought after artists in roots music today.
CREOLE FOR KIDZ:
A multicultural arts-in-education performance that has reached over 60,000 students K-12, parents and educators at schools, art centers and festivals around the country. This is the first program of its type and has been enthusiastically received from Arizona to the Outer Banks, from New York City to Atlantic City and from Charlotte, NC to New Orleans Louisiana.
The Creole for Kidz program is centered on the indigenous zydeco music of the French speaking Creoles of south Louisiana and is accompanied by a 5 page study guide used to help prepare the students in advance for the performance. This is available at no cost to anyone by simply sending a self addressed stamped (2 stamps to be safe) envelope to 132 Vivian Drive, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508 or you can download a PDF of the Creole for Kidz Study Guide off of www.terrancesimien.com.
The Creole For Kidz CD from which the live performance was adapted, is narrated by our respected and highly influential state Senator Donald Cravins. A champion for his Creole culture and zydeco music for years, Senator Cravins hosts one of the oldest zydeco radio shows and produces an annual Memorial Day Zydeco Extravaganza festival in the Lafayette area.
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