Accordionist represents a family of zydeco music pioneers
Veteran accordionist Gerard Delafose hosts the monthly Zydeco Capital Jam from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 13 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, I-49 exit 23, in Opelousas. Delafose was originally scheduled to lead the December jam but had a scheduling conflict.
Leader of the Zydeco Gators band, Gerard is a member of one of the first families of zydeco and Creole music. He’s the grandson of the late legend John Delafose and nephew of popular performer, Geno Delafose.
Gerard has been on stage since the age of 4, as a musician in his grandfather’s band. He sharpened his skills with his uncle Geno and played international gigs, stretching from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to Blues to Bop in Switzerland.
In 2007, Delafose formed the Zydeco Gators, a band that performs more than 100 shows a year. Some of the band’s 2023 gigs include the Long Beach (Ca.) Crawfish Festival, House of Blues New Orleans and “Swamp ‘N’ Roll” on KDCG-TV.
Delafose released his debut album, “Can’t Make You Love Me,” in 2017.
Admission is free to the jam, open to musicians of all skill levels and fans. For more information, visit the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission web site at cajuntravel.com.
