Dennis McGee

Dennis McGee

An image of Dennis McGee holding his violin during an interview with PBS's American Patchwork.

Dennis McGee on PBS's American Patchwork
Background information
Born (1893-01-26)January 26, 1893
Origin Eunice, Louisiana
Died October 3, 1989(1989-10-03) (aged 96)
Genres Cajun
Occupation(s) Musician, fiddler, barber[1]
Instruments Vocals, fiddle
Labels Vocalion

Dennis (Denus) McGee (born January 26, 1893, Eunice, Louisiana, USA – October 3, 1989) was one of the earliest recorded Cajun musicians.

A fiddle player, he recorded and performed with Creole accordionist and vocalist Amédé Ardoin, with accordionist Angelas LeJeune, and with fiddlers Sady Courville and Ernest Frugé. The recordings with Courville and Frugé are among the few surviving examples of Cajun music as it existed before the influence of the accordion became prominent.

McGee's repertoire included not only the waltz and the two-step common to Cajun music but also such dances as the one-step, polka, mazurka, reel, cotillion, the varsovienne, and others.

Early life

Dennis McGee was the son of John McGee, Sr. who was of Irish ancestry and Amelia, of French and Seminole Indian ancestry.[2] Amelia died when Dennis was two years old.[2] He received his first violin at the age of 14, and started playing dances within 6 months.[2]

Legacy

Linzay Young sings with Chris Stafford, Joel Savoy, and Tony Davoren at a Courir de Mardi Gras by Dennis McGee's grave.

In the 1970s and 80s, McGee continued to perform with Sady Courville at festivals and special concerts and recorded for various American and French labels including Morningstar, Cinq Planetes, Swallow, and Music of the World.

His records are contemporary with Joe and Cléoma Falcon's. Also, his legacy includes his knowledge of playing older styles of Cajun music before the 1900s, when the accordion was introduced.

Notable recordings

Discography

1929 New Orleans Session with Amade Ardoin

1930 New Orleans Session with Amade Ardoin

1934 San Antonio Session with Amade Ardoin

1929 New Orleans Session with Sady Courville

1929 New Orleans Session with Ernest Fruge

1930 New Orleans First Session with Ernest Fruge

1930 New Orleans Second Session with Ernest Fruge

1930 New Orleans Session with Walter Coquille

Compilations

Family

McGee had three wives: Nita Rozas (1910–1911), Marie Young (after 1912), and Gladys Courville (1925).[2] He stayed married to his final wife until she died in 1990.[2] One of his sons, Gerry McGee, is a member of The Ventures.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ancelet 1999, p. 37.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Descendants of Pierre Lejeune, dit Briard". Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  3. ↑ "Gerry McGee". Retrieved 2010-04-27.
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