Two-time Grammy winner Terrance Simien brings the joy of zydeco to Music Haven.
Terrance Simien, an eighth-generation Creole musician from Mallet, Louisiana (St. Landry Parish), has spent more than four decades sharing the vibrant, accordion-driven sound of zydeco with the world. In our recent conversation, Terrance Simien spoke about his musical origins, Clifton Chenier, and how his own style blends blues, rock, and deep Creole roots. Proud of his multicultural heritage—French, African, Spanish, Native American, German, and Norwegian—Simien says the music carries a spirit of unity, “like medicine that brings people together.”
From his work helping establish a Grammy category for Zydeco or Cajun music to his electrifying live shows, Simien has been a tireless cultural ambassador. You can experience his infectious energy when Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience take the stage at Music Haven in Schenectady’s Central Park on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
