Mark savoy biography

Marc Savoy is an American musician, and builder and player of the Cajun accordion.
Marc Savoy was born October 1, 1940, on an isolated rice farm near Eunice, Louisiana, in the rich cultural milieu forged by French-speaking Acadian.
Meet musician and accordion maker Mark Savoy in his workshop near Eunice, Louisiana and learn from an expert the history and science of accordions.

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Bio

Marc Savoy was born October 1, 1940, on an isolated rice farm near Eunice, Louisiana, in the rich cultural milieu forged by French-speaking Acadian (from which the term "Cajun" is derived) refugees from eastern Canada who immigrated to southwest Louisiana in the late eighteenth century. The first time music made an impression on him was when he was seven years old and visiting his grandfather. He recalls, "After a while, my father asked my grandfather, 'Pop, get out your fiddle and play us a tune.' My grandfather slowly got up, went into one of the back rooms, and returned with a small oblong black case which he proceeded to open with the most gentle affection. From the little black case, he removed a very odd-looking wooden object and began turning little pegs while plucking the strings. At this young age ... I think the thing that impressed me as much as the sounds being emitted from the little wooden box was the look that came over my grandfather's face ... it was as though he was no longer in the room with us. From that moment on, I remember thinking 'When I grow up, I wa

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There are many reason to travel west out of New Orleans into Cajun country, and music is certainly one of the most important. We had some wonderful musical experiences when we traveled through the Parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, St. Landry along the Zydeco Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway. But certainly the most exciting was the opportunity to meet musician and accordion maker Mark Savoy in his workshop near Eunice, Louisiana and learn from an expert the history and science of accordions.

Mark Savoy is charming and brilliant. He seemed to have all the time in the world to share his love of all things Cajun, and particularly his knowledge of accordions. Did you know that most accordions used by Cajun musicians are hand-made right there in Louisiana? Did you know that the particular squeeze box used by the Cajuns came originally from German immigrants? Did you know that there is an essential link between Louisiana and Italy? Our conversation with him led us eventually to a small hill town in the Le Marche region of Italy in one of those unexpected and wonderful experiences tha

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Marc Savoy

Marc Savoy is a musician, master accordion maker, and champion of Cajun culture. He founded Savoy Music Center in Eunice, Louisiana in 1966, where he builds and repairs Cajun accordions. He and his wife Ann play together in the Savoy-Doucet Band, and they frequently collaborate with three of their four children as The Savoy Family Band.

The Savoy family are part of a long tradition of artisans and musicians who keep alive a cultural legacy that dates back to the 1700s. As France and England battled for regional supremacy, the British military forcibly removed French settlers from much of Canada. These exiles made their way to Louisiana where their unique French dialect and distinct cultural identity became known as Acadian (from their dialect les Acadiens) – today the terms Cajun and Acadian are often used interchangeably. Marc Savoy is adamant that what is unique about Cajun culture must be preserved. “I want my children and their children to appreciate the ballads that have been sung since a strong people came to what was a foreign land and established a powerfu