Megatrax Blog

Cary Ginell, Megatrax’s Publishing Administrator, is also an active (and award-winning) author. In addition to books about the world of Jazz, Cary writes for the Simi Valley Acorn. Here’s an excerpt from his latest article about the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival, and you can see more of his work by clicking here. 

Zydeco dominated this year’s festival, highlighted by the infectious sounds of Rosie Ledet and Nathan Williams & the Zydeco Cha Chas. Williams, a disciple of legendary accordionist Clifton Chenier, told me his secret for entertaining: “Be the best you can at your ability of what you know. I know where I came from, and I’m not going to let anybody change me up.”

Williams ventures out on the dance floor during his set, pounding away at his accordion, mingling, greeting, smiling and never missing a beat.

On the blues stage, the overriding theme was the blues harp, a term used for the harmonica. Both days were saturated with nationally known, dynamic harmonica wizards, all musical descendants of 1950s pioneer Little Walter Jacobs.

Current favorites Rod Piazza, Kim Wilson (with the Fabulous Thunderbirds) and Mitch Kashmar were all spectacular, but for many, the high point was 76-year-old James Cotton, one of the last survivors of Sam Phillips’ legendary Sun Records roster.

Cary Ginell & James Cotton

Click here for the full article.