Interviewed by: Chris Strachwitz Date: 1974 Location: San Antonio, TX Language: English Guitar & bajo sexto player, singer, songwriter. Started recording in 1934.
Interviewed by Larry Skoog and Chris Strachwitz Location: San Antonio, TX Language: English
Eccentric, unique, oil-drum pounding San Antonio street musician Bongo Joe is not very talkative in this brief interview. However, he does reveal a few glimpses into his creative personality.
Interviewed by Chris Strachwitz Date: August 1962 Location: Crowley, Louisiana Language: English
Cajun music pioneer and accordionist who recorded “Allons a Lafayette,” the very first Cajun record, in 1928. His wife, Cleoma Falcon, also played on that record.
Interviewed by: Chris Strachwitz Location: Welsh, Louisiana Language: English
Creole fiddle player talks about his life playing music.
“…We played for white people…I still think about that…You go play dances, you could get in the front, or anywhere. The next day you wanted to buy a drink, you had to go in the back, if you was black.”
Interviewed by: Chris Strachwitz Date: early 1990’s Location: Los Angeles, CA Language: English
In this fascinating interview Mr. Fouce gives a real insiders look at the Spanish language music business in Los Angeles, going back to the 1930’s, He talks about bringing entertainers to his theaters, and especially about Lydia Mendoza and her family.
Lalo Guerrero ca 1990
Lalo Guerrero
Two Interview with legendary singer, song writer, performer, Lalo Guerrero Interviewed By: Manuel Peña Date: September 8, 1989 Language: Spanish and English
Interviewed By: Manuel Peña May 27, 1994 Location: Fresno, CA Language: Mostly English some Spanish
Luderin Darbone, Edwin Duhon, and James “Glen” Croker were members of pioneering Cajun group the Hackberry Ramblers, which played an original and marvelous blend of Cajun and Western Swing.
Little Joe and brother Johnny y La Familia – late 1970’s. (courtesy the Manual Peña photo archive))
The leading band in a culturally powerful Chicano musical style known as “La Onda Chicana,” La Familia became an emblem of a Chicano musical sensibility, especially with his introduction of a thoroughly bimusical polca-ranchera style that synthesized a Mexican, ranchero sound with a distinctly jazz-oriented one.
Interviewed by Chris Strachwitz Date:1973 Language: English
Few artists in conjunto and Tejano music have received the level of critical acclaim Flaco Jimenéz has enjoyed in a career that has spanned six decades.
Interviewed By: Bob Smith & Chris Strachwitz Date: 1987 Location: Modesto, California Language: English
I had about 10 pounds in my sack and I sat down and just started thinking….”Fred what are you doing back there?” I said, “I’m thinking.” “What are you thinking?” I said, “I’m thinking let’s go into the music business.” – Fred The Maddox Brothers and Rose “America’s Most Colorful Hillbilly Band”.
Interviewed by Chris Strachwitz Date: Fall 1962 Language: English
One of the great mountain fiddlers, J.E. Mainer was a fine singer and entertainer. J.E. gained his initial fame in the mid-1930s with his brother Wade but continued to play music his entire life.
Interviewed by Chris Strachwitz
Date: March 1969
Language: English
Sonny Simmons is a pioneer in avant-garde jazz. Some of his most important and groundbreaking recordings were done with his wife, trumpet player Barbara Donald.
Interviewed by Chris Strachwitz and Barbara Dane
Date: August 3, 1963
Language: English
Location: California Hotel, Oakland, CA
Roebuck, Mavis, and Yvonne Staples talk about their early influences, the beginnings of their performing careers, racial discrimination, and choice of material; and demonstrate working up a song.
Interviewed by Chris Strachwitz
Date: 1960
Location: Chris Strachwitz’s house, Los Gatos, CA
Language: English
Joe Lee “Big Joe” Williams was an immensely influential country blues musician famous for his emotional singing, the distinctive sound of his 9 string guitar, and his composition “Baby Please Don’t Go.”
Statement on the passing of Chris Strachwitz
Arhoolie Records Founder July 1, 1931 – May 5, 2023
We celebrate the life of our founder, friend, and great record man Chris Strachwitz. He died peacefully at home in Marin County, CA, surrounded in his last days by dear friends and family. Over his 91 years, Chris captured the music that represents the best “down home music” the world has to offer.
He was at the forefront of nearly all the roots revivals over the last 60 years including blues, zydeco, Cajun, Norteño and Tejano music. His drive to document traditional music helped introduce the nation to our diverse musical heritage. He had the foresight to save music that might have otherwise been lost to obscurity and played a role in strengthening cultural traditions through his records, films, and most recently the Arhoolie Foundation. He cared for those around him, fought for royalties and recognition for Arhoolie artists, and provided counsel to countless musicians, writers, film makers, and academics.
Plans for a public celebration of his life will be announced in the coming weeks. Today we’re thinking of all that Chris brought to our lives and the lives of the musicians and fans with whom he shared his passion.
Luis Acosta
Adolph Hofner
Howlin’ Wolf
Armando Marroquin
