D'Jalma Garnier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
D'Jalma Garnier
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In New Orleans, Louisiana 2007
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| Background information | |
| Genres | Creole, Cajun, zydeco |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, disc jockey |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, fiddle, bass |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | Green Linnet, Arhoolie |
| Associated acts | Jeffery Broussard and Creole Cowboys Zydeco, Cedric Watson et Bijou Creole, Joe Hall, East of Eden Band spoken word, and many more |
D'Jalma Garnier is a talented musician and composer. He is especially known for playing the fiddle in Creole and Cajun music. He also creates unique music and works with many other artists.
Contents
His Musical Journey
D'Jalma Garnier comes from a very musical family. His grandfather, D'Jalma Thomas Garnier, was a famous early jazz player in New Orleans. He played the trumpet, piano, and violin. Some even say he taught Louis Armstrong when Louis was young.
Family Roots in Music
D'Jalma Garnier, the fiddler, is the older brother of Tony Garnier. Tony is the band leader and bass player for Bob Dylan's band, the Neverending Tour Band. D'Jalma, Tony, and their cousin Stephen "Stevo" Théard are the only family members to become professional musicians like their grandfather.
Learning and Teaching Creole Fiddle
D'Jalma Garnier has been featured in many articles and documentaries. These stories are all about Louisiana Creole music. He plays both the fiddle and guitar. He has performed and recorded with many top Creole musicians.
He spent two years studying Creole fiddle playing. He learned from Canray Fontenot, a famous musician who won a special award for his heritage. D'Jalma has taught this music to many students. He has led workshops in North Carolina, Louisiana, and other places.
Exploring Different Music Styles
Besides his work with zydeco and Cajun bands, D'Jalma is also a "pedestrian scholar." This means he studies a lot about Louisiana Francophone cultures. He also explores new and experimental music, like electronic music.
He plays many instruments, including bass, guitar, and fiddle. He performs in different music styles. D'Jalma has even worked with poets like Allen Ginsberg. He also hosts a radio show called Passport to Modern Jazz. This show helps listeners discover new and exciting jazz artists.
Teaching the Fiddle: His Book
In 2009, D'Jalma Garnier released a special book. It's a method book that teaches you how to play the fiddle. The book comes with a DVD that shows you how to play. It has 14 songs by famous Louisiana Creole fiddle players.
Learning Creole Fiddle Songs
The songs in the book are very important. Some are the first songs people learn. Others were written by masters and can be played in many ways. The book also includes songs that cover related music styles.
D'Jalma wrote down the music for many Creole folk classics. This is special because these songs were usually learned by listening. They were passed down from one player to another.
Playing Like a Pro
The book includes music from famous fiddlers like Canray Fontenot. It has five of his songs and a video clip. D'Jalma also included two of his own songs. The rest are by pioneer Louisiana fiddlers. These include Amédé Ardoin, Bébé Carrière, Dennis McGee, and Boozoo Chavis.
The book teaches you how to play the Creole fiddle step-by-step. It covers techniques like bowing, fingering, and playing two strings at once. It also gives tips for playing with other musicians. You'll learn how to work with accordion players, guitarists, and other fiddlers. There are also tips for starting a song in a group and using amplification.
