Andre Thierry | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 9, 1979 Richmond, California, United States |
| Genres | Alternative Creole |
| Instrument(s) | Accordion, Singer, Base Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, and Drums |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Website | http://andrethierry.com |
Andre Thierry is a Grammy-nominated (2012 Best Regional Roots Music Album)[1] Zydeco musician. He leads the band Zydeco Magic.[2]
Andre was born in Richmond, California on July 9, 1979, to Olivia “Tee” Guillory originally from Basile, Louisiana and Gregory Thierry, originally from Jennings, Louisiana. Andre’s childhood was deeply influenced by his maternal grandparents, the late Houston Pete Pitre (Pa-Pa as they called him) from Basile, Louisiana and his loving grandmother, known to all as Mama Lena Pitre from Soileau, Louisiana.
- In America, great migrations produce great music. Just as Delta musicians took Highway 61 to Chicago and electrified their blues, so did the Creoles and Cajuns migrate to California and establish vital dance communities. Now the California scenes rival anything back home in Louisiana, and that's due to players like Andre Thierry, a standard bearer for the new generation. Thierry is among the best of both the West Coast and the Gulf Coast, and he combines youthful vigor with a mature appreciation for his inherited tradition.[3]
Andre grew up experiencing the French Creole (La-La) dances his grandparents held at their church parish, St. Mark’s Catholic Church. The best Zydeco musicians Louisiana had to offer traveled to California to play at the dances and spent considerable time at the Pitre’s house while in the area. On one such visit, the “King of Zydeco,” the late great Clifton Chenier, grabbed three-year old Andre by the arms and deemed him a future accordion player. From then on, Andre’s Pa-Pa, Houston Pete, encouraged the young Andre to play the accordion.
Andre captivated by Clifton Chenier, he began teaching himself to play by listening to Clifton's music. Andre demonstrated an innate musical ability and his skill quickly grew. Andre played his first song, Willis Prudhomme’s version of "Give’m Cornbread" in the backyard of his grandparent’s home, for his delighted family. He soon began playing Clifton Chenier’s music on stages all over Northern California.
His grandparents continued to host Louisiana musicians and this exposure to his heritage allowed him to develop his love for, and mastery of, traditional French Creole music. By age twelve, with the help of his mother, Andre formed his own band, "Zydeco Magic.” Andre’s repertoire grew by leaps and bounds as he was regularly invited to play with numerous visiting bands, such as the late John Delafose, his son, Geno Delafose, and many local Zydeco and Cajun bands, including the late Danny Poullard (California Cajun Orchestra).
Andre is a virtuoso on all the accordion types, single row, double row, triple row and piano key. He effortlessly moves across types to deliver an energetic two-step, traditional Creole waltz, hard-driving blues or a blend that is his own sound. Although Andre’s instrument of choice is the accordion he also displays talent on bass guitar, rhythm guitar and drums. Thanks to his parents and grandparents he sings traditional songs in original Creole French and his voice has matured into rich and soulful tones. He is a gifted composer and song-writer and his music and CDs feature many of his original tunes.
Selected discography edit
- Creole United Non Jamais Fait (2013 Andre Thierry)
- Are You Ready To Learn (2012 Andre Thierry)
- Andre Thierry Live! At The Woodshop (2008 Lucky Cat Records)
- Christmas With Andre Thierry (2008 Andre Thierry)
- A Whole Lotta Something (2004 La Louisianne Records)
- It’s About Time! (1999 Andre Thierry)
References edit
- ^ Goodrich, Juliette (10 February 2013). "Bay Area Grammy Nominee Represents Local Creole Community". CBS SF Bay Area. CBS. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ "Andre Thierry". Zydeco Nation. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ Tisserand, Michael. The Kingdom of Zydeco. Spike (November 9, 1999)
External links edit
- Official website of André Thierry
- Article: Alameda's Eagles Hall
- Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic - Zydeco Inc. Fund Raiser for Hurricane Katrina family assistance.
- Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic - "Josephine" -The KnockOut San Francisco
- Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic - People In Plazas
- Media Center Studio Session presents Andre Thierry
- Andre Thierry My Baby She's Gone – at the Sweetwater Mill Valley
- Andre Thierry at AllMusic
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Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:People from Richmond, California Category:African-American musicians Category:American blues accordion Category:American blues singers Category:zydeco Category:Grammy nominated artists