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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSOILEAU, Leo(b 19 Jan. '04, Ville Platte LA; d there 2 Aug. '80) Cajun fiddler, vocalist, bandleader; one of the most important pioneers of the genre. Duetted with accordionists '28--9, notably Mayuse LaFleur and Moise Robin. When market picked up after the Depression he raised his sights, formed a series of small combos as Leo Soileau's Three Aces or Four Aces; '35 sessions incl. drums, new in Cajun. Repertoire incl. trad. and pop songs of the day, sung mostly in French but also in English. Fronted band called the Rhythm Boys late '30s, probably to cash in on boom in western swing. Apart from radio transcriptions, he last recorded in '37, but continued playing until the '50s, when he gave up full-time music, worked in oil industry, then as janitor. Compilation Leo Soileau And His Four Aces on Old Timey. |