Breaux Brothers

Breaux Frères or Breaux Brothers (Amédé on accordion, Ophé on guitar, and Cléopha on the fiddle),^[1] were Cajun musicians. They were the earliest to record the song "Jolie Blonde", under the title of "Ma Blonde Est Partie".^[2]

Amédé Breaux was born on September 1, 1900 north of Rayne, Louisiana near a community called Robert’s Cove. He died in 1975. His father, August Breaux, later moved to north of Egan, Louisiana where he farmed. Amédé started playing the accordion when he was 12 years old and was playing house parties at the age of 14.

The whole family started playing music at a young age. When his brothers, Ophey and Clifford, and his sister, Cleoma Breaux Falcon, were old enough they played music together. Before he started the Breaux Brothers Band, he played with Cleoma and Ophey. That was when he recorded "Step It Fast," "Jolie Blonde" and "Poor Hobo" in 1928. After he recorded "Jolie Blonde" he formed the Breaux Brothers Band, consisting of Amedée, Ophey and Clifford, they became popular. Mr. Breaux made approximately 20 other recordings from 1930 through 1951. Some of these recordings included, "Hathaway Two Step", "Crowley Two Step," "Chere Mom," and "Criminal Waltz." He and his band played on a tour all over Louisiana and East Texas.^[3]

Career

On April 18, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, the brothers recorded "Ma Blonde Est Partie".^[4]

Their work can be heard on the following discs:

• Cajun Fais Do Do (CD 416, Arhoolie Records)^[5]
• Cajun Champs (CD 327, Arhoolie Records)^[6]
• Cajun Dance Party: Fais Do-Do (Columbia Records, 1994)
• Cajun: Louisiane 1928-1939 (Frémaux & Associés FA 019, 1994)^[7]
• Cajun Vol. 1 - Abbeville Breakdown: 1929-1939 (CBS Records, 1990)

See also

• History of Cajun Music
• List of people related to Cajun music

References