Biography
Eddie LeJeune, whose father was the influential Cajun accordionist and songwriter Iry LeJeune, lost him at the age of five in a fatal car crash. Nearly all his familiarity with the elder musician’s work derived from vintage 78 rpm discs, yet he has carried forward the family’s distinguished musical legacy. Time Out magazine observed, “It would be no exaggeration to say that Eddie LeJeune is the finest Cajun accordionist alive.”
Born in Ardoin Cove, a modest settlement outside Lacassine, Louisiana, LeJeune holds only scattered recollections of his father. In the notes accompanying his 1998 release It’s In The Blood, he describes “sitting on his lap and doing a few things, like him riding his bicycle on a cloudy day.” His primary source of information was his maternal grandmother, accordionist Adelina Blanchard, who shared numerous anecdotes during his childhood.
He first took up the accordion at six and quickly developed an instinctive rapport with it. By eight he was skilled enough to play regularly at family gatherings, barbecues, and house dances. LeJeune has remained devoted to the classic idioms of Cajun music. Although his debut album contained four original compositions, the balance consisted of material from early figures Lawrence Walker, Joe Falcon, and his own father, along with scrupulous renditions of traditional pieces.
On It’s In The Blood he was supported by The Morse Playboys, whose lineup included fiddler Lionel Leleux and guitarist Hubert Maitre. In 1992 LeJeune united with Cajun guitarist/vocalist D.L. Menard and fiddler Ken Smith for the trio recording Le Trio Cadien.
Born in Ardoin Cove, a modest settlement outside Lacassine, Louisiana, LeJeune holds only scattered recollections of his father. In the notes accompanying his 1998 release It’s In The Blood, he describes “sitting on his lap and doing a few things, like him riding his bicycle on a cloudy day.” His primary source of information was his maternal grandmother, accordionist Adelina Blanchard, who shared numerous anecdotes during his childhood.
He first took up the accordion at six and quickly developed an instinctive rapport with it. By eight he was skilled enough to play regularly at family gatherings, barbecues, and house dances. LeJeune has remained devoted to the classic idioms of Cajun music. Although his debut album contained four original compositions, the balance consisted of material from early figures Lawrence Walker, Joe Falcon, and his own father, along with scrupulous renditions of traditional pieces.
On It’s In The Blood he was supported by The Morse Playboys, whose lineup included fiddler Lionel Leleux and guitarist Hubert Maitre. In 1992 LeJeune united with Cajun guitarist/vocalist D.L. Menard and fiddler Ken Smith for the trio recording Le Trio Cadien.
Albums
