Harry Choates

Biography

Harry Henry Choates (December 26, 1922 – July 17, 1951) was a pioneering American Cajun fiddler widely celebrated as the 'Fiddle King of Cajun Swing' and the 'Godfather of Cajun Music.' Born in southern Louisiana—most likely Rayne, though sources also cite New Iberia, Abbeville, or Cow Island—Choates moved with his mother to Port Arthur, Texas, during the 1930s, joining a wave of Cajun migration seeking work in the oil fields. He received little formal education and spent his formative years absorbing music in local bars, quickly becoming a prodigious fiddler who played for tips in barbershops by age twelve.[1][2][3][5][8]

Choates began performing professionally in his teens, joining bands led by Cajun luminaries like Leo Soileau and Leroy 'Happy Fats' LeBlanc. By the mid-1940s, he formed his own group, the Melody Boys, and in 1946 recorded a dynamic, Western swing-infused version of the Cajun waltz 'Jole Blon' for Gold Star Records. The single became a national sensation, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard charts and introducing Cajun music to a broad American audience. Choates' style was marked by energetic showmanship, blending traditional Cajun melodies with Western swing, jazz, and blues, and he became known for his exuberant vocal cries and electrifying fiddle performances.[1][2][4][5][6]

Despite his musical genius, Choates led a tumultuous life, marked by heavy drinking and erratic behavior. He was virtually illiterate, often performed while intoxicated, and clashed with musicians' unions, leading to professional setbacks. Choates died tragically at age 28 in an Austin jail cell, but his influence endured: he elevated Cajun music to national prominence and inspired generations of musicians across genres.[1][2][4][6][8]

Fun Facts

• Choates never owned his own musical instrument, preferring to play on borrowed fiddles and guitars throughout his career.[2][3][5]
• His signature song 'Jole Blon' is often called the 'Cajun national anthem' and was the first Cajun song to become a national hit in the United States.[1][4][5]
• Choates was known for his wild stage antics, including playing his amplified fiddle while dancing with the audience and standing on tiptoe to reach high notes.[2][5]
• He was virtually illiterate and often disregarded contracts, leading to frequent disputes with musicians' unions and the eventual breakup of his band.[2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Leo Soileau - Early Cajun bandleader with whom Choates played in the late 1930s and early 1940s, helping shape his approach to Cajun string band music. (Performances and recordings with Soileau's band) [circa 1940]
• Leroy 'Happy Fats' LeBlanc - Respected Cajun musician and bandleader who gave Choates early professional opportunities. (Recordings and live performances) [circa 1940]

Key Collaborators

• The Melody Boys - Choates' own band, formed in the mid-1940s, with whom he recorded his most famous works. (Recordings of 'Jole Blon' and other Gold Star singles) [1946–1948]
• Bill Quinn - Owner of Gold Star Records who produced Choates' breakthrough recordings. ('Jole Blon', 'Basile Waltz', and other Gold Star sessions) [1946]

Artists Influenced

• Doug Kershaw - Acclaimed Cajun fiddler who cited Choates as a major influence on his style and career. (Kershaw's Cajun and country recordings) [1960s–present]
• Clifton Chenier - Zydeco pioneer who drew on Choates' fusion of Cajun and swing elements. (Chenier's early zydeco recordings) [1950s–1980s]
• Numerous Texas and Louisiana country artists - Choates' 'Jole Blon' became a standard, covered by many regional musicians. (Various covers of 'Jole Blon') [1940s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Jole Blon (Jole Blon: The Original Cajun Fiddle of Harry Choates)
2. Devil In The Bayou (The Fiddle King of Cajun Swing)
3. Jole Blon (Cajun Classics)
4. Korea Here We Come
5. Poor Hobo (Cajun Classics)
6. Jole Blon (It's Cajun Time!)
7. Allons A Lafayette (Jole Blon: The Original Cajun Fiddle of Harry Choates)
8. Allons à Lafayette (The Fiddle King of Cajun Swing)
9. Devil in the Bayou
10. Poor Hobo (It's Cajun Time!)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #cajun