Dewey Balfa & The Balfa Brothers Perform a Cajun Waltz [Live in Washington, D.C. 1976]

An impassioned ambassador for Cajun music and culture, fiddler and singer Dewey Balfa (1927-1992) was a driving force in the revival of traditional Cajun music. Raised 125 miles northwest of the great port city of New Orleans, the Balfa family inherited the rich legacy of songs, tunes, tales, and traditions of Louisiana's French-speaking Cajun community. In performance, Balfa introduced the vibrant sound of Cajun music to countless people around the world. Through his role as a musical ambassador, he reawakened a deep and abiding sense of pride in Cajun culture among his fellow Cajuns. Filmed in 1976, Dewey Balfa and the Balfa Brothers perform a Cajun waltz. Listen as Balfa translates the lyrics of love and longing. 'Cajun Fiddle, Old and New: Instruction' is available on CD and digital. Stream/download/purchase: Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/dewey-balfa/cajun-fiddle-old-and-new-instruction/music/album/smithsonian Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6gnlbLVj0XsppjRu7qaJ1w?si=nhJb3m-rSDmkc10Z6TO2JA This record is intended to serve both as an extension of Folkways, ‘Traditional Cajun Fiddle,’ and also serve as an overview of traditional Cajun fiddling as performed by Dewey Balfa in various places. It is also designed to serve the curious listener and the serious listener at the same time, without going too far in either direction. Most examples are therefore played at normal speed, while on the other hand, they are shortened to allow room for the maximum amount of information possible. Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smithsonianfolkwaysrecordings Twitter: https://twitter.com/Folkways Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithsonianfolkways The content and comments posted here are subject to the Smithsonian Institution copyright and privacy policy (www.si.edu/copyright). Smithsonian reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove any content at any time.

Added 12 Jun 2026