Exploring The Bayou In Brooklyn With Neighbor Deborah Monlux

After spending her childhood playing the violin, South Slope neighbor Deborah Monlux began to notice her passion for the instrument was waning.

“The push to perfect classical musicianship was just not in my heart,” she told us, “so I closed the case and it stayed closed for 30 years.”

Little did she know, a 2010 encounter with famed Cajun fiddler David Greely would inspire her to once again rosin up that bow, and ultimately lead to the production of the Bayou n’ Brooklyn Music Festival, celebrating its fourth year May 9-11 at Jalopy Music Theatre (315 Columbia Street, Between Hamilton Avenue and Woodhull Street).

We caught up with Deborah to learn a bit more about her, the music of Louisiana, and what we can look forward to at this month’s Bayou n’ Brooklyn Festival.

SSN: What brought you to South Slope, and how long have you lived here?

DM: I am originally from Mukilteo, Washington, near Seattle, and came to Brooklyn to dance professionally in 1979. My husband and I moved to the neighborhood from Manhattan in 1996, so that’s been about 18 years, and raised a son here who is now 23 years old and working as a computer analyst.

We wanted to live close enough to the city, yet far enough away to enjoy Prospect Park, and feel as though there was a sanctuary away from the bustle and noise of the city. Also, raising a child seemed much less stressful here than in the city.

When did you first discover the music of Louisiana, and how does the genre inspire you?

I was first inspired by the music of renowned Cajun fiddler David Greely in 2010, while studying at a fiddle camp in North Carolina…one of those variety programs that offer all styles of fiddle. I thought…hmm let me try this Cajun thing. It was there that I took the first class from David Greely, and bridged the geographic gap by starting videoconference lessons with him shortly after.

I found that I really enjoy the use of technology to learn fiddle playing from the source: Lafayette, Louisiana. This area is the hub of Cajun music. Using videoconferencing is an exercise in focus. I really have to ‘listen’ to the music. We can’t play together as this will cancel out both of our sounds, so it becomes an exercise in true listening skills.

This is the way music was passed down through the generations. The songs played by Cajun musicians today were handed down from generation to generation. It is a tradition in this music for musician to add their own personal technique and individuality to the song, performing and making it uniquely their own.

In the old days, Louisiana music had to be heard over long distances in large gatherings, so vocals were belted, and even cried without limitation. Cajun songs also come with beautiful melodies and have themes that are hundreds of years old, shared with their antecedents in the folk music of France of the early 17th century. They are the sung language of old stories given to new generations.

Tell us about the genesis of the Bayou ‘n Brooklyn Music Festival.

I met Jesse Lege, a world-renowned accordion player, at a large gathering of Cajun musicians and dancers in Gardiner, New York, at the Home of Evelyn Schneider, Jesse’s bass player. Jesse, a Louisiana native, has a track record of more than 40 years, and is the winner of numerous awards, including an induction in the Cajun Hall of Fame.

I was touched by the fact that friends, neighbors, and family would gather on Evelyn’s porch in annual events to make a huge pot of gumbo, and bring so much potluck food. There would be music and dancing all night into the wee hours of the morning, and with only perhaps a short nap, everyone would start again in the morning with coffee, breakfast, and fiddles. I was amazed at the simplicity of music and community, and I wanted to recreate the same effect here in Brooklyn.

What can you tell us about Jalopy Music Theatre, and how did they come to be involved in the festival?

I took group classes in fiddle playing at Jalopy Music Theatre in the early years when they first opened. When I discovered Cajun music, I realized that it would be tough to find a Cajun music teacher here in Brooklyn, so that’s when I asked David Greely to videoconference.

Lynette and Geoff Wiley are the directors of Jalopy Theatre and School of Music. I proposed to curate a weekend at their venue. At the time they had one theatre space. The first year I received tremendous support from the Cajun community spanning from Washington DC to Boston. Many of the musicians traveled here to play at Jalopy because it’s a great place to perform, and word was out that they could mingle with top talent brought here from Louisiana.

This venue recently opened a second adjacent building that allowed flexibility in programming, and more room for an audience. We’ll be using the theatre venue, workshop spaces, adjacent tavern, and backyard picnic area.

What can folks look forward to at the Bayou ‘n Brooklyn Music Festival?

Dancing, dance classes, dancehall bands, Cajun community jam session, a jambalaya supper on Saturday, and workshops for those studying beginning fiddle, intermediate fiddle, accordion (diatonic), guitar, and Cajun song.

The festival’s music genre is Southern Louisiana: Cajun, country, and honky tonk for good measure. This year we are bringing four-time Grammy winners Wilson Savoy and Joel Savoy, and Joel’s wife, Kelli Jones-Savoy!

Tickets for the Bayou n’ Brooklyn Music Festival can be purchased online, or at the door. Deborah does note, though, that Friday and Saturday have a tendency to sell out, so it’s best to reserve your spot early. Admission is $20 for Friday, May 9; $30 for Saturday, May 10; and $20 for Sunday, May 11. A 3-day weekend pass is also available for $50. For more information, visit the Bayou n’ Brooklyn website.

Lead photo by Jim Moore. Lower photo via Deborah Monlux.