BEAUMONT, Texas — Music has a way of being able to connect people in unexplainable ways and Zydeco music is no exception
The sounds of Zydeco could be considered a staple for Mardi Gras in Southeast Texas with some believing the music is a must have for the festivities. Zydeco music dates back to the 1800s.
“Been doing this for a long time as a kid at the Rodair Club," Jed Bellot, accordion player for Bayou Sounds which is a Cajun band, said. "Met up with these fellows later in life, and we formed a band about 2016 and we've been running for six, seven years or so."
What some may not know is that the upbeat sounds tackle serious issues.
“Poverty, and hard times, and racism,” Michael Tisserand, author of The Kingdome of Zydeco, said.
Tisserand's book hit shelves in 1994.
“There wasn't really anybody writing on a regular basis about Zydeco, so I jumped in,” Tisserand said.
Tisserand lived in Southeast Louisiana and traveled through Southeast Texas, following along with Zydeco's founding fathers.
The author feels over and over agin, he witnessed Zydeco music untying people. He feels he will never be able to explain why.
“It takes all these references of poverty and brings it back to the community in the form of something joyful,” Tisserand said. “Over and over and over again, I experienced that, and I am still just so amazed by it.”