Dennis Stroughmatt
Et l'Esprit Creole: A Pre-Mardi Gras Celebration

Dennis Stroughmatt's journey into the roots of Cajun and French Creole music, stories and language began in the small isolated communities around Sainte Genevieve, Missouri. There, he learned from diverse master fiddlers such as Roy Boyer and Charlie Pashia, a blend of old-style French roots music, with infusions of Celtic bowing and Metis rhythms. Later, Dennis traveled to Quebec and to southwestern Louisiana, where he learned African Style Creole fiddling from folks such as Canray Fontento and Black Allemand, and Creole accordion from Morris Ardoin.

Today, Dennis is a keeper of traditions in the old styles of both upper and lower Louisiana, a Creole fiddler, accordionist, speaker, historian, and foremost, a musician.