Buckwheat Zydeco Brings the Cajun Flavour to TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Fest

The TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival got a taste of Louisiana flavor when Buckwheat Zydeco graced the stages at Nathan Phillips Square as part of his 30th Anniversary tour.

The four-time Grammy nominated popular zydeco performer and accordian player, thrilled fans on Sunday night with his non-stop energy. Born Stanley Dural, Jr., he adopted the name "Buckwheat" because his hair resembled the character of the same name on the hit 1950's show, Little Rascals.

Modern zydeco sound captures the essence of Afro-Caribbean rhythm and blues, soul, rock and country music blended with the old-time sound once heard by the Black French-Speaking Creoles of southern Louisiana utilizing the accordian, washboard and drums.

With 15 LPs to his credit, his latest work is "Jackpot" which was released in 1995 on his own label, Tomorrow Recordings.

Buckwheat Zydeco has toured extensively throughout his career bringing the sweet Cajun sounds worldwide, perfoming in major festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. His television appearances include Dave Letterman, MTV and The Today Show, and he has opened for internationally known artists such as Eric Clapton and U-2.

With no signs of slowing down, the 61 year-olds upcoming tour schedule includes more Canadian dates in July in Gravenhurst, Ontario at the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest and in Quebec at the Quebec City International Summer Festival and the Tremblant International Blues Festival.