From: GUEST,Don Wise - PM
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 11:30 AM

Didn't Zydeco start with Amade Ardoin(1896-1941) and Dennis McGee who blended Cajun songs with blues and jazz?

Actually Zydeco is a blending of the earlier Creole dance music often called "La La" with elements of Rhythm and Blues. According to Wikipedia:
Amédé Ardoin made the first recordings of Creole music in 1928. This Creole music served as a foundation for what later became known as zydeco.
These were the recordings on which Dennis McGee played backing fiddle to Amade's vocals and accordion. I'm sure someone here may know better but as far as I've been able to discern these may be the first integrated musical recordings. Nevertheless Amade Ardoin was a major influence on both Creole and Cajun musical genres and should be much better known than he is today.
He was also a tragic victim of brutal racism.
Here is a heart wrenching account by Alan Lomax and others of the Death of Amede Ardoin.