by Felicia Maffia
The Northwest Zydeco Music and Dance Association is pleased to welcome Earl Sally, internationally renowned musician from Opelousas, Louisiana, as a permanent member of our community. Besides an abundance of talent and a determination to broaden the audience for zydeco music, Earl also brings to Seattle the professional experience of performers twice his age.
By the time 14 year old Earl Sally saw his first live performance of zydeco music he had already been playing drums publicly for six years. Attending the dance only at the urging of his sister's boyfriend and leader of the band, Clinton Broussard, Earl became fascinated by the frottoire, (or rubboard), which gives zydeco music its distinctive sound. Before the end of the evening one band member was looking for work, Clinton had a new frottoire player, and Earl had found his true calling.
Earl had developed a unique rhythmic style and dynamic stage presence by the time he met Terrance Simian two years later. Both young men were only seventeen when Earl joined Terrance and his band, The Mallet Playboys. With Earl handling the choreography and the bookings the band was quickly established as a hot act on the zydeco circuit.
Everywhere they went, the cameras followed Earl, hoping to capture him as he leapt off the stage, did the splits or jumped on tables -- all without missing a beat. Besides steady bookings, success brought the group other rewards. Paul Simon asked them to audition for his Graceland album. This audition led to their appearance in the movie The Big Easy. After finishing work on the film, Terrance, Earl, and The Mallet Playboys were chosen by the State Department to represent the United States during a cultural exchange tour of Tunisia, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco.
Finally, in 1988 the band signed a recording contract with Restless Records and started work on their first album, Zydeco on the Bayou. After eight years together, Terrance and Earl had drifted apart musically. Once the recording was finished, Earl left the band before the album's release in 1989.
Earl briefly joined bands in Nova Scotia and Minnesota before moving to the Bay area around 1991. A welcome addition to the local music scene, Earl's skills were soon in constant demand. At one point, Earl performed with five different bands in addition to his own group, The Zydeco One-Niters. Several of these groups regularly toured the west coast and the growing popularity of zydeco and Cajun music in the Northwest did not escape Earl's attention. In Seattle, Earl found a growing, enthusiastic audience and plenty of talented musicians eager to learn more about this kind of music.
by Fifi
On January 7th, 1996, through the kindness and hospitality of Terry Winfield and Henry Burton, my friend John-Bird and I were invited to attend Northwest Zydeco's La La welcoming Earl Sally and Kent Menard to Seattle. I quickly found an inconspicuous spot from which I could watch and listen. (I might add that I was wearing the proper attire for this little fête, namely my finest beads and feathers.) People were excited and happy to be there, dancers and musicians alike. Great treats were plentiful, but next time I would suggest Florida escargot for tastes like mine. Oh, the things I saw and heard! Why, I bet I could almost play an accordion myself now from the fascinating discussions that took place that afternoon.
Just when I thought the party was winding down, Terry rolled up the living room rug and pushed back the furniture. An accordion, fiddles, guitars, a rubboard and triangle all appeared as if by magic. You can guess the rest. There was dancing and music galore. So welcome to Earl and Kent! We're glad you and your music are here.
Et toi!