‘Bruce Lee’ of the accordion coming to Acadiana Roots
Herman Fuselier, Lafayette Daily Advertiser Published 8:00 a.m. CT Nov. 5, 2018 | Updated 10:07 a.m. CT Nov. 6, 2018
Corey Ledet shows off skills with ‘Accordion Dragon’ CD
(Photo: Travis Gauthier)
Corey Ledet isn’t bragging when he calls himself the “Accordion Dragon,” a title he shares with his new CD. This young accordion master, who’s been an instructor in the Traditional Music Program at UL Lafayette, is simply stating a fact.
An internationally touring zydeco musician at the age of 21 and a Grammy nominee at 30, Ledet grew up in Houston, fascinated by martial arts movies and Asian culture. Two years ago, Ledet started training in Wing Chun, Chinese Kung fu that teaches combat in close quarters.
Wing Chun also instills mastery of the senses, relaxation and a strong spiritual center. For 25 years, Ledet has applied those skills to his instrument, making him worthy of a title inspired by his hero, the late martial artist, actor and philosopher Bruce Lee.
“They called Bruce Lee the dragon,” said Ledet, 36. “A lot of people don't understand and think dragon might be something bad. But in the Asian culture, dragon is something good.
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“It basically means, if you're a dragon at your art, you've put in the time, you've conditioned yourself. You've done your studies and you're a master at your art. Now, you are a dragon.”
Ledet brings his accordion mastery to Acadiana Roots at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 in The Daily Advertiser’s Community Room. The $10 admission includes light snacks, beverages and songs and stories from a musician whose squeezebox skills have allowed him to tour Russia, Malaysia, Hawaii and other distant locales.
Ledet’s new “Accordion Dragon” CD features an old-school house party starter sung in Creole, “J'ai Parti Dans La Campagne (I Went to the Country).” Mark St. Cyr, a critical care specialist and trumpet player, and Robert “Saxy” Richard provide a horn section in select songs.
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Ledet was thrilled to learn that the CD, released a little more than a month ago, is on rotation with an online radio station in New Zealand.
Wherever his songs travel, Ledet hopes they put the fun back in music.
“If the music is feeling good, it's going to make you feel good. For me, when it comes to September, I start listening to Christmas music. It's happy music. It puts you in a happy mood.
“With my style of Louisiana zydeco, I want to make people feel good with it. I want to bring it all over the world. I would love to go somewhere in Asia one day and play my zydeco over there. I think that would be cool.”
Herman Fuselier is music and entertainment writer for the Times of Acadiana and Daily Advertiser. Contact him at
hfuselier@theadvertiser.com.