Chenier, Clifton
(1925–1987)
Chenier, Clifton 25 June 1925; near Opelousas, LA – 12 December 1987; Lafayette, LA One of the innovative and best-known zydeco musicians. Born the son of sharecroppers in Acadiana, Chenier learned to play the accordion from his father, Joseph. The Chenier family included many musicians who regularly played at local dance halls, but Clifton also drew inspiration from the recordings of Amadie Ardoin, the pioneer Creole blues accordionist, and jump-blues master Louis Jordan. Chenier’s brother…