* En anglais uniquement
One of the leading lights of the "nouveau zydeco" movement, accordionist
Keith Frank -- the son of zydeco great
Preston Frank -- fused the traditional sound of his father's generation with latter-day influences ranging from
James Brown to
Bob Marley to forge his own urbanized and infectiously danceable style. Born in Soileau, Louisiana in 1972,
Frank began playing professionally at the age of four, sitting in on a variety of instruments with his father's combo the Family Zydeco Band. Despite focusing on the accordion from the age of six onward, he initially loathed zydeco and the pressures of performing, but in high school finally gave in to the music's pull and formed his own group. As
Preston Frank began to ease into retirement,
Keith gradually assumed leadership duties of the family band, which also included his sister Jennifer on bass and brother
Brad on drums. As he gained confidence, he began adding elements of rap to his music, a move which dismayed purists but met with wide approval from younger listeners.
Frank issued his debut album
What's His Name? in 1994 and has remained a prolific touring and recording force in the zydeco world. ~ Jason Ankeny