Rosie Ledet
Rosie Ledet (born October 25, 1971, Mary Roszela Bellard in Church Point, Louisiana, USA) is an American Creole Zydeco accordion player and singer.[1][2][3][4]
Rosie Ledet | |
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Rosie Ledet at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 2004 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Mary Roszela Bellard |
Also known as | The Zydeco Sweetheart |
Born | Church Point, Louisiana | October 25, 1971
Genres | Zydeco, cajun |
Occupation(s) | musician, singer, songwriter |
Instruments | vocals, accordion |
Years active | 1994–present |
Labels | Maison de Soul |
Associated acts | The Zydeco Playboys |
Website | rosieledet.net |
Her songs are known for their sultry and suggestive lyrics. She tours and records with her band, the Zydeco Playboys.
Biography
Raised in rural Louisiana, Ledet listened to rock music in her youth. Although she was in an environment where zydeco was heard, she took little interest in the music at the time. She first became fascinated with zydeco music when she was 16 years old. She attended a zydeco dance at Richard's, a famous zydeco club in Lawtell, Louisiana, and saw Boozoo Chavis play, which inspired her to start learning to play zydeco. At this dance, she also met Morris Ledet, her husband to be.
She learned the accordion watching Morris play. When he heard her, he stepped aside allowing her the spotlight, and became her accompanist on the bass guitar. Morris, then brought Rosie to his producer, Mike Lachney, also known as DJ BAD WEATHER, a veteran zydeco producer. Mike was so impressed, that he quickly set up a recording session. Mike then took Rosie to Floyd Soileau, of Maison de Soul label. Floyd also was impressed and gave Mike a contract to produce five albums on Rosie. She started playing around Louisiana and Texas in 1994. The same year, she released her debut album Sweet Brown Sugar on Maison de Soul label.
She resides in Iota, Louisiana.
Discography
- 1994 Sweet Brown Sugar (Maison de Soul)
- 1995 Zesty Zydeco (Maison de Soul)
- 1997 Zydeco Sensation (Maison de Soul)
- 1999 I'm a Woman (Maison de Soul)
- 2000 It's a Groove Thing! (Maison de Soul)
- 2001 Show Me Something (Maison de Soul)
- 2003 Now's the Time (Maison de Soul)
- 2005 Pick It Up (Maison de Soul)
- 2011 Come Get Some (JSP Records)
References
- Ochs, Meredith. "Album Review: 'Raw,' By Rosie Ledet". NPR.org.
- "Film on zydeco's Rosie Ledet to premiere at Experience Louisiana Festival | EuniceToday.com | The Eunice News, Eunice, La". www.eunicetoday.com. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- "Zydeco Crossroads ends with celebration in Philly". The Advertiser. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- "Music doc 'Zydeco Crossroads: A Tale of Two Cities' to premiere for free in New Orleans". NOLA.com. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
External links
- Official website
- Rosie Ledet at AllMusic
- Rosie Ledet discography at Discogs
- Pick It Up: Rosie Ledet LSU Eunice website
- Biography on Piedmont Talent
- Rosie Ledet first record producer