Biography
Born around 1890 in Louisiana and passing away later in the United States, the Cajun musician LeJeune demonstrated notable accordion proficiency during his active years in the 1920s. His accomplished command of the instrument earned him top honors at the inaugural statewide accordion competition held in Louisiana, an event backed by the Opelousas Herald in 1929. Coverage in the paper noted that fiddlers Dennis McGee and Ernest Frugé provided accompaniment for the performance. The awarded sum totaled fifty dollars, and the display drew interest from an OKeh Records scout, prompting LeJeune and his fellow musicians to travel the following day to New Orleans for recording sessions. Among his collaborators stood fiddle player and instrument maker Lionel LeLeux, born in 1912 in Louisiana and deceased there as well. His selections encompassed “Vielle Valse De La Louisiane,” “Bayou Pom Pom One Step,” “Perrodin Two Step,” “Le Petit One Step,” “La Valse De Pointe Noire,” and “La Fille De La Veuve,” the final piece widely recognized under the title “Ma Blonde Est Partie.” LeJeune’s nephew Iry LeJeune, born 28 October 1928 in Pointe Noir, Louisiana, and deceased 8 October 1955 in Eunice, Louisiana, likewise gained recognition as a Cajun accordionist, issuing recordings throughout the 1950s.