Biography
The Balfa Brothers (Les Frères Balfa), a pioneering Cajun music ensemble from Louisiana, consisted of brothers Dewey (fiddle), Will (fiddle), Rodney (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Burkeman (triangle, spoons), and Harry (Cajun accordion), later joined by accordionist Hadley Fontenot. Born to sharecropper Charles Balfa and Amay Ardoin near Mamou, Louisiana, the brothers learned traditional Cajun music from their father during family gatherings in the 1940s. They formed early groups like the Musical Brothers, playing up to eight dances weekly at local halls, and made their recording debut in 1951 with the 78rpm single 'La Valse de Bon Baurche' b/w 'Le Two Step de Ville Platte,' recorded at home.[1][2][8]
A pivotal performance at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival, where Dewey Balfa played with Nathan Abshire's band and received a standing ovation, sparked a Cajun music revival. Energized, Dewey formalized the Balfa Brothers in 1967 with Rodney, Will, Hadley Fontenot, and his daughter Nelda, touring folk festivals, Europe, and the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. They released albums on labels like Swallow, blending traditional Cajun with occasional modern elements, and appeared in the 1972 documentary Spend It All, significantly boosting Cajun music's visibility during a decline influenced by rock 'n' roll.[1][2][3]
Tragedy struck in 1979 with the car accident deaths of Rodney and Will, followed by Dewey's wife dying of trichinosis in 1980. Despite losses, the group continued with changes, and Dewey, a cultural ambassador, taught workshops and earned a 1982 National Heritage Fellowship until his 1992 death from cancer. The family's legacy endures through Balfa Toujours, founded by daughter Christine Balfa.[1][2][4]
Fun Facts
- Their 1951 debut single was recorded on a home recorder at their house in Louisiana.[1][2]
- Played at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, bringing Cajun music to an international stage.[1]
- Despite Cajun music's decline with rock 'n' roll, they played up to eight dances a week while holding full-time jobs.[2]
- Dewey Balfa earned a National Heritage Fellowship in 1982 for his role as a Cajun cultural ambassador.[2]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Charles Balfa - Father who taught the brothers fiddle, singing, and traditional Cajun lore (Family gatherings and early influences) [1940s]
- J.B. Fuselier - Fiddler who heavily influenced Dewey Balfa (Stylistic influences on fiddle playing) [Early career]
Key Collaborators
- Hadley Fontenot - Accordionist and family acquaintance, core band member (1951 single 'La Valse de Bon Baurche'; Balfa Brothers albums from 1967) [1951-1970s]
- Nathan Abshire - Frequent collaborator and bandmate with Dewey; shared folk festival performances (Recordings and performances including Newport Folk Festival 1964) [1960s]
- Nelda Balfa - Dewey's daughter, band member (Balfa Brothers tours and recordings) [1967 onward]
Artists Influenced
- Christine Balfa - Daughter of Dewey; founded band to carry forward legacy (Balfa Toujours (formed 1992)) [1992-present]
- Cajun musicians via workshops - Dewey taught workshops inspiring revival; reintroduced traditional songs (The Balfa Brothers Play Traditional Cajun Music (1965, 1974)) [1970s-1992]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010) | 2012-12-04 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Pine Grove Blues - 1981 (The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010))
- J'ai été au bal - 1981 (The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010))
- Viens me chercher - 1981 (The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010))
- Lacassine Special - 1977 (The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010))
- Choupique - 1977 (The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010))
- French Blues - 1982 (The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010))
- Fiddlesticks - J'ai été au bal/Lost Indian Reel - 1982 (The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010))
- Quand j'étais pauvre - 1988 (The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010))
- Big Boy's Waltz - 1989 (The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010))
- Parlez - nous à boire - 1991 (The Balfa Family: A Retrospective (Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 1977-2010))
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Balfa Family has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 14, 2025 | 12:33 | Mon vieux wagonfrom The Balfa Family: A Retrospective | Cajun and Zydecow/ Charles Laborde or Jim Hobbs |