Arve Haalands Cajun Gumbo

ARVE HÅLANDS CAJUN GUMBO is one of few groups in Norway playing Cajun music, and its Creole counterpart; Zydeco. The former is very central to the culture of the Cajuns; the white population of French descent in south Louisiana. It is an infectious mixture of French traditional music coupled with influences from - among others - Celtic and American folk music. Belonging to the same area, zydeco has been referred to as the black version of Cajun music, with bluesy riffs played over a funky Afro-Caribbean beat.This lively and highly danceable music can be heard in dancehalls and restaurants, at festivals and private parties every day, all year round in southwest Louisiana.The accordion is at the forefront of both kinds of music. In Cajun music another leading role is played by the fiddle, whereas zydeco is hard to imagine without the rubboard.Bandleader Arve Håland plays the special ten-button diatonic Cajun accordion as well as mandolin. He also composes much of the band’s material, creating a unique sound by adding his own personal touch to traditional influences. The band also includes Denmark’s leading Cajun musician; Elsebeth Krogh on fiddle and rubboard, and some of the foremost roots musicians in Bergen; Bjørn Tore Aasheim on guitars; Christian Øvreaas on keyboards and harmonica; Kjell Madsen on bass; and Gunnar Bergstrøm behind the drums. Arve Hålands Cajun Gumbo was formed in 1993 and made their first national tv-appearance the same year. Their first cd; Heit Gumbo came in 1999 and the single; Live at Rick’s in 2002.Their third cd; Bon Appétit was released in march 2006 and contains all original material. The band has over the years developed into a festival favourite and has performed at several major blues, jazz, country, and folk music festivals in Norway. The Skagen Festival in Denmark and the international Cajun and zydeco festivals in Raamsdonksveer and Ameland in The Netherlands have also had visits from this rather unique band from Norway.Below: Arve Hålands Cajun Gumbo live at Louisiana Night Festival 07, Opwijk, Belgium. Background music: Arve Hålands Cajun Gumbo - "Les Bon Temps" (Håland/Hansen) Photos by Eddy Snuiterkes.