Wilson Savoy
Encyclopedia
Wilson Allen Savoy is a Grammy nominated Cajun accordion
player and singer in the band the Pine Leaf Boys
as well as a local filmmaker in Lafayette, LA. His father Marc Savoy
, famous accordion builder and musician, and his mother, Ann Savoy
, author and music producer, are well known ambassadors and supporters of preserving the Cajun
culture.
and began his musical career in 2000 with the Savoy Family Band (consisting of his father Marc, mother Ann, and brother Joel Savoy
). Since 2000 he has also operated Almena Pictures, a film company specializing in band documentaries and music videos. In 2004 he joined the Red Stick Ramblers
from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
and in 2005 formed his own band, the Pine Leaf Boys
. In 2006 he and his brother Joel (a fiddle player, cofounder of Valcour Records
and also a former member of the Red Stick Ramblers) were instrumental in starting the annual Faquetigue Courir de Mardi Gras as an alternative to the main Eunice event. They felt that the other local runs had gotten too rowdy and lost too much of their authentic traditions. The run has become one of the most musically based on the various versions of the courir. Also in 2006 he recorded a collection of 1930's era songs and classic Cajun Swing music with fellow traditional Cajun act the Lost Bayou Ramblers
titled Mellow Joy Boys:Une Tasse Cafe. In 2008 the Pine Leaf Boys were nominated for a Grammy Award
for their 2007 album Blues de Musicien, released on Arhoolie Records
. Fellow nominees that year were Geno Delafose
, Roddie Romero, Lost Bayou Ramblers, the Racines and the winner of the Grammy Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
. In 2010 Savoy, appeared in season 1 episode 7 of the HBO series Treme
as himself.
Cajun accordion
A Cajun accordion also known as a squeezebox is single-row diatonic button accordion used for playing Cajun music.-History:Many different accordions were developed in Europe throughout the 19th century, and exported worldwide...
player and singer in the band the Pine Leaf Boys
Pine Leaf Boys
The Pine Leaf Boys is a Cajun and Creole band from South Louisiana. Members include Wilson Savoy , Courtney Granger , Drew Simon , Jon Bertrand , and Thomas David .-Career:...
as well as a local filmmaker in Lafayette, LA. His father Marc Savoy
Marc Savoy
Marc Savoy is an American musician, and builder and player of the Cajun accordion.Savoy holds a degree in chemical engineering but his primary income is derived from his accordion-making business, based at his Savoy Music Center in Eunice, Louisiana. His wife is the singer and guitarist Ann Savoy,...
, famous accordion builder and musician, and his mother, Ann Savoy
Ann Savoy
Ann Savoy is a musician, author, and record producer.-Biography:Savoy was raised in Richmond, Virginia. She resides with her husband Marc Savoy and family in Southern Louisiana....
, author and music producer, are well known ambassadors and supporters of preserving the Cajun
Cajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
culture.
History
Wilson Savoy was born in EuniceEunice, Louisiana
Eunice is a city in Acadia, Evangeline and St. Landry parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 11,499 at the 2000 census.The St...
and began his musical career in 2000 with the Savoy Family Band (consisting of his father Marc, mother Ann, and brother Joel Savoy
Joel Savoy
Joel Savoy is a Cajun musician and music producer from Southwest Louisiana. His father Marc Savoy, famous accordion builder and musician, and his mother, Ann Savoy, author and music producer, are well known ambassadors and supporters of preserving the Cajun culture.-History:Joel Savoy was born in...
). Since 2000 he has also operated Almena Pictures, a film company specializing in band documentaries and music videos. In 2004 he joined the Red Stick Ramblers
Red Stick Ramblers
The Red Stick Ramblers are a Cajun Music and Western Swing band who formed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana while the members were attending Louisiana State University. Their name comes from a translation of Baton Rouge, which means "red stick" in French...
from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
and in 2005 formed his own band, the Pine Leaf Boys
Pine Leaf Boys
The Pine Leaf Boys is a Cajun and Creole band from South Louisiana. Members include Wilson Savoy , Courtney Granger , Drew Simon , Jon Bertrand , and Thomas David .-Career:...
. In 2006 he and his brother Joel (a fiddle player, cofounder of Valcour Records
Valcour Records
Valcour Records is an independent record label based in Eunice, Louisiana. Valcour was founded in 2006 by Joel Savoy , with friends Phillip LaFargue II and Lucius Fontenot.Valcour Records' first release in 2006 was Goin' Down to Louisiana, by fiddle player Cedric Watson and accordionist Corey...
and also a former member of the Red Stick Ramblers) were instrumental in starting the annual Faquetigue Courir de Mardi Gras as an alternative to the main Eunice event. They felt that the other local runs had gotten too rowdy and lost too much of their authentic traditions. The run has become one of the most musically based on the various versions of the courir. Also in 2006 he recorded a collection of 1930's era songs and classic Cajun Swing music with fellow traditional Cajun act the Lost Bayou Ramblers
Lost Bayou Ramblers
The Lost Bayou Ramblers are a Grammy-nominated Cajun music band from Pilette, Louisiana.-Career:The Lost Bayou Ramblers were formed in 1999 by Louis Michot and his brother Andre Michot...
titled Mellow Joy Boys:Une Tasse Cafe. In 2008 the Pine Leaf Boys were nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for their 2007 album Blues de Musicien, released on Arhoolie Records
Arhoolie Records
Arhoolie Records is a small record label run by Chris Strachwitz. The label was founded by Strachwitz in 1960 as a way for him to record and publish previously obscure "down home blues" artists such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Snooks Eaglin and Bill Gaither...
. Fellow nominees that year were Geno Delafose
Geno Delafose
Geno Delafose is a zydeco accordionist and singer. He is one of the younger generations of the genre who has created the sound known as the nouveau zydeco. His sound is deeply rooted in traditional Creole music with strong influences from Cajun music and also country and western...
, Roddie Romero, Lost Bayou Ramblers, the Racines and the winner of the Grammy Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience is a Zydeco band from Louisiana led by Terrance Simien.-Awards:Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience won a Grammy award for Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album for their album Live! Worldwide.-Discography:...
. In 2010 Savoy, appeared in season 1 episode 7 of the HBO series Treme
Treme (TV series)
Treme is an American television drama series created by David Simon and Eric Overmyer that premiered on April 11, 2010 on HBO. It takes its name from Tremé, a neighborhood of New Orleans...
as himself.
Discography
- 20022002 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
Savoy-Michot: L'Autre Bord de L'eau - 20042004 in musicSee also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
Church Point Aces avec Paul Daigle et Mitch Reed: Together At Last for the Last TIme - 2004 Savoy Family Band (Arhoolie)
- 2004 Red Stick Ramblers: Right Key, Wrong Keyhole (Rounder)
- 20062006 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
Pine Leaf Boys: La Musique (Arhoolie) - 2006 Lost Bayou RamblersLost Bayou RamblersThe Lost Bayou Ramblers are a Grammy-nominated Cajun music band from Pilette, Louisiana.-Career:The Lost Bayou Ramblers were formed in 1999 by Louis Michot and his brother Andre Michot...
: Mellow Joy Boys:Une Tasse Cafe (Swallow Records) - 20072007 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
Pine Leaf Boys: Blues de Musicien (Arhoolie) - 20082008 in music2008 was a huge year in music history with the emergence of pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry into the mainstream. Also, this is the year that is widely agreed upon by critics as the start of the fall of hip hop from the mainstream and the rise of Synthpop into the mainstream due to acts such...
Savoy Family Band: Turn Loose but don't let go (Arhoolie) - 2008 Pine Leaf Boys: Homage au Passé (Lionsgate Music)
- 20092009 in musicThe following is a list of notable events and releases in 2009 in music. Susan Boyle's album I Dreamed a Dream became the biggest selling album in the world for 2009, selling 8.3 million copies in five weeks; more than any other artist's in the whole year...
Pine Leaf Boys: Live! Jazz Festival New Orleans