Varise Conner
| Varise Conner | |
|---|---|
 Varise Conner on the cover of "Louisiana Folk Masters - Varise Conner" | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1906 |
| Origin | Lake Arthur, Louisiana |
| Died | 1994 (aged 87–88) |
| Genres | Cajun |
| Instruments | Fiddle |
| Associated acts | Conner Boys |
Varise Conner (1906 – 1994)[1] was a Cajun fiddler born in Lake Arthur, Louisiana.[2] His works and personality has inspired many prominent Cajun musicians.[3]
History
He was the son of Arsen and Emma Conner.[4] He was a third generation fiddler: his grandfather, Octave, was also a fiddler.[1] His ancestry can be traced to Ireland, when they immigrated to Louisiana in the late 18th century.[1] He started to play the fiddle at the age of 9. His father bought him a copy 1713 Stradivarius violin. He then started to play with his brothers Murphy and Valsin.[5] Soon after forming a family string band known as The Conner Boys, they were playing local dance halls. Conner is known for the Lake Arthur Stomp, which was originally called Lake Arthur Two-Step.[6] It was renamed, because so many people would stomp their feet.[6] During the Great Depression, Conner quit in 1935 because he could not make money playing for free.[7] At the insistence of his daughter, Ethel, Conner resumed playing fiddle in 1956.[7] Soon, he was playing at local festivals and concerts.
Legacy
Conner has inspired artists such as Michael Doucet and Ken Smith.[3] He was noted for his smooth and light tone on the violin. Dewey Balfa admired his smooth bowing and his ability to play the higher register.[8] Conner has been featured at the Tribute to Cajun Music Festival in Lafayette. Also, a series of recordings from University of Louisiana at Lafayette has been released on Louisiana Crossroad Records.
See also
- List of Notable People Related to Cajun Music
References
- Brasseaux, Carl (1977). "Varise Conner's Lake Arthur". Louisiana Folk Masters - Varise Conner (booklet). Varise Conner. University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Louisiana Crossroads Records. pp. 6-8. http://acadianacenterforthearts.org/Images/Interior/louisiana%20crossroads/louisiana%20crossroads%20records/conner%20booklet%20master.pdf.
- Greely, David (1977). "A Fiddler's Heart". Louisiana Folk Masters - Varise Conner (booklet). Varise Conner. University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Louisiana Crossroads Records. p. 20. http://acadianacenterforthearts.org/Images/Interior/louisiana%20crossroads/louisiana%20crossroads%20records/conner%20booklet%20master.pdf.
- Lauddun, John (1977). "Allons Jouer!". Louisiana Folk Masters - Varise Conner (booklet). Varise Conner. University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Louisiana Crossroads Records. pp. 1-2. http://acadianacenterforthearts.org/Images/Interior/louisiana%20crossroads/louisiana%20crossroads%20records/conner%20booklet%20master.pdf.
- Yule, Ron (October 5, 2009). Louisiana Fiddlers. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1-60473-295-5.