Biography
Ann Savoy, born Ann Allen on January 20, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Richmond, Virginia, grew up in a household steeped in music and poetry, which laid the foundation for her lifelong artistic pursuits[1][2]. She was gifted a plastic ukulele at age 10 and became fluent in French by 13, an early sign of her deep connection to language and culture[1]. Her musical journey took a decisive turn in 1975 when she met Cajun accordionist Marc Savoy, whom she would later marry, and moved to Louisiana in 1977[1][3]. There, she immersed herself in Cajun music, shifting from the country blues, Virginia folk, and British rock of her youth to mastering Cajun guitar and becoming a celebrated practitioner of the genre[1]. Savoy’s career is marked by her role as both a performer and a historian, recording over 20 albums, producing Grammy-nominated projects, and authoring authoritative books on Cajun and Zydeco music[1][2][3]. Her work with the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band, the Magnolia Sisters, and the Savoy Family Band has taken her around the world, and she is recognized as a matriarch of Louisiana’s folk scene, celebrated for both preserving and innovating within the Cajun tradition[1][2].
Fun Facts
- Ann Savoy’s first language was French, which she learned by age 13, and she later studied French literature in Europe, deeply influencing her artistic perspective[1][4].
- She is a four-time Grammy nominee, including for her work with Linda Ronstadt and the Magnolia Sisters[3].
- Savoy’s extensive interviews with Louisiana musicians form the basis of the Arhoolie Ann Savoy Cajun Interviews Collection, a major archival resource for Cajun and Zydeco music[1].
- She appeared as a musician in the films Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and All The King’s Men, and was associate music director for the latter[2][3].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Marc Savoy - Husband and mentor in Cajun music (Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band, Savoy Family Band) [1977–present]
- Michael Doucet - Collaborator and influence in Cajun fiddling (Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band) [1977–present]
Key Collaborators
- Marc Savoy - Husband, frequent musical partner, and accordionist (Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band, Savoy Family Band) [1977–present]
- Michael Doucet - Fiddler and co-founder of Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band (Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band) [1977–present]
- Linda Ronstadt - Collaborator on Grammy-nominated album (Adieu False Heart (as The Zozo Sisters)) [2006]
- John Fogerty - Featured artist on tribute album (Evangeline Made: A Tribute to Cajun Music) [2002]
- Nick Lowe - Featured artist on tribute album (Evangeline Made: A Tribute to Cajun Music) [2002]
- The Magnolia Sisters - All-female Cajun band co-founded by Savoy (Multiple albums with the Magnolia Sisters) [1990s–present]
- Joel Savoy - Son and bandmate in Savoy Family Band (Savoy Family Band) [1990s–present]
- Wilson Savoy - Son and bandmate in Savoy Family Band (Savoy Family Band) [1990s–present]
Artists Influenced
- Cajun and Zydeco musicians - Inspired by her preservation efforts and all-female band leadership (Cajun Music: A Reflection of a People, Magnolia Sisters albums) [1980s–present]
- Linda Ronstadt - Collaborated on Cajun-inspired album, expanding Ronstadt’s repertoire (Adieu False Heart) [2006]
Source: Wikipedia
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Adieu False Heart | 2006-01-01 | Album |
| Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood - Music From The Motion Picture | 2002 | Album |
| Fais Do-Do: Louisiana Lullabies | 2019-11-29 | Album |
| Another Heart | 2024-04-19 | Album |
| Duets | 2014-04-04 | Album |
| If Dreams Come True | 2007 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Walk Away Renee (Adieu False Heart)
- Adieu False Heart (Adieu False Heart)
- I Can't Get Over You (Adieu False Heart)
- Les clos de coton (The Cotton Fields) (Love's Lies)
- Marie Mouri (Adieu False Heart)
- Parlez-Moi D'amour (Adieu False Heart)
- Too Old To Die Young (Adieu False Heart)
- Go Away From My Window (Adieu False Heart)
- The One I Love Is Gone (Adieu False Heart)
- Rattle My Cage (Adieu False Heart)
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
Ann Savoy has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22, 2025 | 02:38 | Gabie's New Year's Lamentfrom Another Heart | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Sep 22, 2025 | 01:57 | Gabie's New Year's Lamentfrom Another Heart | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis |