Cajun and Zydeco | Lafayette, Louisiana
Louisiana’s finest, the world-renowned Pine Leaf Boys, have built a legacy on a signature brand of music delivered with unmatched youthful exuberance. While they are celebrated as the premiere torchbearers of Cajun and Zydeco, their sound is a deep-dive into the full spectrum of Louisiana’s musical heritage—blending Swamp-Pop, Soul, and high-octane Rock ‘n’ Roll.
What began in 2004 as a group of friends getting kicked off their Lafayette college campus for busking has evolved into one of the most decorated bands in the genre. To date, the Pine Leaf Boys have secured four Grammy nominations, while bandleader Wilson Savoy has garnered a Grammy win of his own. Their mission has taken them far beyond the bayou; at the invitation of the U.S. State Department, they have completed six international tours, bringing the spirit of Louisiana to 23 countries across Europe and Asia.
The Pine Leaf Boys pay homage to the icons who shaped the American South. Their sets seamlessly pivot from the Classic Country soul of Hank Williams and George Jones to the wild energy of Jerry Lee Lewis-style Rock ‘n’ Roll.
A highlight of their performance occurs when Wilson Savoy moves to the keys. His piano style is a virtuosic collision of influences—a “Triple-Threat” sound where the soul of Ray Charles meets the fire of Jerry Lee Lewis and the accordion-driven grit of Clifton Chenier.
The Pine Leaf Boys are led by Wilson Savoy on Cajun accordion, piano & vocals. Wilson has played accordion for most of his life, having been given as a child a hand-built accordion by his renowned father, Marc Savoy. The accordion was built from the wood of a sassafras tree that was planted by Wilson’s grandfather. It was not until Wilson moved to Baton Rouge to study at the University where he became completely addicted to playing and progressing on the accordion, inspired by the styles of his heroes, Iry Lejeune, Amede Ardoin and naturally his father, Marc Savoy. The piano was his first musical love, having begun boogie-woogie styles at the age of 10, inspired by the music of Louisiana wild man, Jerry Lee Lewis.
Wilson has appeared on HBO’s “Treme” playing the role of himself in three episodes, as well as the film “All the King’s Men” with Sean Penn and John Goodman. Wilson continues to travel with the Pine Leaf Boys, as well as the Savoy Family Band (mom, dad, and brother Joel), as well as his Grammy award-winning group, “Courtbouillon.”
