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The Ann Savoy Collection Goes Live

The Arhoolie Foundation is proud to make available new audio interviews with legendary Cajun and Creole musicians from the Ann Savoy Interview Collection. Ann’s collection consists of recorded interviews she conducted with musicians of French Louisiana over the past 45 years. Among the interviewees are some of the most significant figures in the history of Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco music.

The latest addition to our archives includes interviews from the first volume of Ann’s seminal book Cajun Music: A Reflection of a People (available from Bluebird Press). First published in 1985, this indispensable book features interviews with Dewey Balfa, Clifton Chenier, Canray Fontenot, D.L. Menard, Belton Richard, and many more. The interviews allow the listener to hear the voices of those who made the music while also capturing Ann’s graceful and insightful interviewing style.

Ann Savoy has been a vital ambassador of Cajun music and culture for decades. Her relationship with Chris Strachwitz and Arhoolie runs deep. A forty-year Arhoolie recording artist, she currently serves on the foundation’s Advisory Board. 

Dear friends,

On Giving Tuesday, we announced the capital campaign to purchase our building at 10341 San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito — home to the Arhoolie Foundation (and before that Arhoolie Records), Les Blank Films, and Down Home Music Store since 1976. We’ve been heartened by the community’s response to our fundraising announcement. To all who have donated so far: thank you. We couldn’t do this without you.

Now, while there is a contract in place to buy the building in partnership with Les Blank Films, we need to raise $1.2 million — our half of the purchase price — by April 15. Donations to the campaign can be made via the link below, by check, or by bank transfer. (To make a bank transfer, please email us at info@arhoolie.org).

In the new year, we look forward to collaborating with Les Blank Films and Down Home Music to bring more public programming to our community. We plan to revive Les Blank and Chris Strachwitz’s tradition of in-store film screenings and will host more informal, free performances and gatherings in the store as part of our outreach work. We believe this collaboration will result in a vibrant community gathering place dedicated to music, film, and deep roots culture.

If you’re interested in donating and would like to discuss our plans for the building, please don’t hesitate to email director Adam Machado at adam@arhoolie.org.

Thank you for your support as we begin this exciting new chapter!

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