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.”
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!
Luis Acosta
Adolph Hofner
Howlin’ Wolf
Armando Marroquin
Donate