Accordion maestro dubbed "the crown prince of zydeco" who is also the son of zydeco music pioneer Clifton Chenier.
b. September 28, 1957 in Port Arthur, TX. C.J. is the son of the ‘king of zydeco’, Clifton Chenier. He began playing saxophone while at school, but grew up knowing little about Louisiana zydeco music, and he spoke English at home. However, he learned quickly when he became a member of his father’s band, replacing saxophonist John Hart. He recorded with his father and around 1984 he began to play accordion, graduating to opening shows as his father’s health deteriorated. When his father died, he left his accordion to C.J., who has since recorded under his own name and rapidly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the blues and zydeco market.
b. September 28, 1957 in Port Arthur, TX. C.J. is the son of the ‘king of zydeco’, Clifton Chenier. He began playing saxophone while at school, but grew up knowing little about Louisiana zydeco music, and he spoke English at home. However, he learned quickly when he became a member of his father’s band, replacing saxophonist John Hart. He recorded with his father and around 1984 he began to play accordion, graduating to opening shows as his father’s health deteriorated. When his father died, he left his accordion to C.J., who has since recorded under his own name and rapidly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the blues and zydeco market.