Lawrence “Black” Ardoin

The son of Creole accordion legend Alphonse “Bois Sec” Ardoin, Lawrence “Dark” Ardoin not merely continued the family’s musical traditions, but he later on offered the torch to his own son Chris, perhaps one of the most acclaimed proponents from the nouvelle zydeco sound. Blessed in Duralde, Louisiana in 1946, Ardoin was the next of Bois Sec’s sons, signing up for his dad and siblings Morris and Gustave within the Ardoin Brothers Music group; originally a drummer, he had taken over accordion responsibilities when Gustave was wiped out within a 1974 car crash, and upon his father’s mid-1970s pension assumed full command of the group. Nevertheless, as time passes the confines of traditional Creole music stifled Ardoin, and in the first 1980s he produced a fresh combo, the French Zydeco Music group, which also allowed him to pursue his passions in Cajun and swamp-pop noises. In 1984, the group debuted using the LP Lawrence “Dark” Ardoin and His French Zydeco Music group; a long documenting hiatus preceded the discharge of 1992’s follow-up, Sizzling hot and Spicy Zydeco. After its discharge, Ardoin formed a fresh group, Lagniappe, including his kid Chris on accordion; because the youngster continuing his creative progression, he started leading his very own unit, Increase Clutchin’, which Lawrence also maintained.