Corey Ledet Zydeco & Black Magic

Live In Alaska

Independent

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Corey Ledet spent his summers in the small Creole community of Parks, Louisiana, where Zydeco music was as natural as breathing. His grandfather, Buchanan “Tbu” Ledet, was a drummer who worked with Clifton Chenier, the undisputed King of Zydeco, and it was from him that Corey absorbed his earliest musical lessons.

By the age of ten, Corey was already the drummer for Wilbert Thibodeaux and the Zydeco Rascals, and by twelve he was backing his aunt, Rosie Ledet, one of the leading female voices in Zydeco. Between 1994 and 2000, Corey appeared on at least five of her albums, including the breakout Zydeco Sensation (1997).

In 2003, at twenty-two, Corey moved to Louisiana full-time, switched from drums to accordion, and launched his own band. His debut, 3 Years 2 Late (2004), signaled the arrival of a new generation steeped in tradition but unafraid of innovation. He later teamed up with Cedric Watson for Goin’ Down to Louisiana (2006), and by 2012’s Nothin’ But the Best, Corey earned a Grammy nomination, establishing himself as one of the most exciting modern voices in Zydeco.

Now, with Live in Alaska, his sixteenth album overall, Corey captures the fire and joy of his live performances. Recorded at the Anchorage Folk Festival on February 1, 2025, the set revisits English and Creole favorites from his fifteen previous releases — a true celebration of his two-decade career.

Ledet, nicknamed “The Accordion Dragon,” handles accordion and lead vocals, joined by a powerhouse band: Cecil Green (keyboards, bass, harmony vocals), James Adams (washboard, vocals), Julian Primeaux and Lucien Hayes (guitars), Je’an-Paul Jolivette (drums), and Gregg Potier (washboard, percussion).

The album kicks off with a playful fifty-one-second intro, a nod to Prince’s “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” as Corey teases, “You know I want you, you know I need you, you set my soul on fire…” It’s a funky, flirty opener that immediately sets the tone for what’s to come.

Next, he slides into “Boudin Man,” one of his signature numbers. Corey sings, “I’m a Boudin Man, from the east to the west, they say that I’m the best,” with swagger and a grin. It’s infectious, driven by propulsive bass and accordion lines that could make anyone dance.

On “I Just Wanna Be Your Loving Man,” Corey channels classic Louisiana soul, crooning, “I just wanna hold you like I can, I wanna show you things you’ve never seen.” His phrasing walks the line between blues and Zydeco, a reminder that his style is both rooted and flexible.

“Alaska Funk” is an off-the-cuff jam that lets the band cut loose. The groove is deep and greasy, with Corey shouting, “Do you wanna be funky? Somebody say hey, hey, hey!” It’s raw, spontaneous, and pure Zydeco joy.

The more traditional “Push Me Away” shifts gears, showing the emotional side of Ledet’s songwriting. He sings, “I don’t know why you want to push me away… all the love I have for you, now that you’re gone I see your loving wasn’t meant for me.” The delivery is soulful and heartfelt, proof that his artistry goes well beyond the dance floor.

Corey keeps his Creole roots alive with “Kofe T’fé Ça” and “M’ape Gonn À Dauphine.” The former is a lively farewell sung in Creole, while the latter pays tribute to New Orleans’ Dauphine Street, home to the historic Hotel Dauphine.

On “This Is All I Want,” Corey lays down a message of unity and love: “All we need is just a little joy and respect for one another… if we want to go to heaven, we have to love each other.” It’s both spiritual and grounded — a sermon you can dance to.

The energy peaks with “J’ai Part 1 Dans La Campagne,” as Corey hollers, “Do you want to party? Do you want to dance? Somebody say yeah!” The crowd’s response makes clear that even in Alaska, Zydeco’s fire burns hot.

The “Outro” ties the show together, as Corey croons, “Did you have a good time? We’re gonna say goodnight, we’re gonna make you jump.” It’s a warm, communal farewell — a hallmark of every great Louisiana show.

Other standout moments include “Aret To Trin” and “Creole Cruising,” both showcasing the mix of tradition and groove that has defined Ledet’s career.

Corey Ledet’s musical bloodlines run deep. His family has performed with legends such as Louis Armstrong, Ike & Tina Turner, B.B. King, and Bobby “Blue” Bland. Yet Corey’s roots remain firmly planted in Parks, Louisiana — a village of fewer than 700 people that continues to shape his music and spirit.

Live in Alaska proves that Corey Ledet is both keeper and innovator of the Zydeco flame. He carries on the lineage of Clifton Chenier while stretching its possibilities, weaving funk, blues, and soul into the Creole fabric.

This album isn’t just a live show — it’s a celebration of heritage, rhythm, and heart.

Highly recommended.

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor / Making A Scene

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