The future zydeco washboard players of Northern California perform with Andre Thierry at the Marin County Fair July 4. Thierry worked with these children under the auspices of the Performing Stars of Marin “Blues in the Schools” program. “In Marin County, the average family income is $100,000 yet there are children who live in isolated and segregated communities where poverty is concentrated and their average family income is $18,000,” the organization notes. “The Performing Stars Music Program offers scholarships for families who cannot afford to pay, providing a class room, teacher, instruments, healthy nutrition and social transformation through music.” The kids’ next performance will Sept. 3 be at the Marin City Blues, Jazz & Soul Party in the Park. It will be a fundraiser for Performing Stars.

Andre Thierry is the most accomplished young zydeco accordion player in the Creole community of Northern California. In our documentary, he talks about the challenges of transmitting the culture to the next generation.

For more information, check out this article from the Marin Independent Journal.