Ed Poullard was born in Eunice, LA and raised in Southeast Texas. By the
time he was in grade school, he was playing in his father's band at house
parties and parish dances. Ed started out on drums and guitar, then moved on
to accordion and fiddle, studying the latter with the late, legendary Canray
Fontenot, with whom he performed nationwide until Fontenot's death in 1995.
Ed often performed with his late brother Danny on accordion, showcasing
older tunes learned from their father.
Ed is showcased (playing with Darol Anger) on "Creole Bred: A Tribute to
Creole and Zydeco" (Vanguard Records), a collaboration conceived by Ann
Savoy, which features a virtual "Who's Who" of Louisiana musicians as well
as a slew of hip artists from other genres.
The CD includes examples of the very old Creole songs that predate the
instrumental traditions. "Mon Homme Est Pas 'Rivé" is performed by the Sweet
Honey from the Rock, a female African-American a cappella ensemble whose
name comes from the 81st Psalm. According to Marce Lacouture in the version
of this song that she got from Inez Catalon, a Creole woman from Kaplan who
died in 1994, the song originated at a time when black men had to be home
before dark. The lyrics suggest that the singer fears for the safety of her
man who has not yet returned.
Magnolia featuring Ed Poullard on fiddle
There are also examples of contemporary Zydeco with the Tom Tom Club's
version of Keith Frank's "Only the Strong Survive." The CD closes with some
old style twin fiddling featuring Ed Poullard and Darol Anger, with his
fiddle tuned with low octave strings. They play Canray Fontenot's "Old
Carpenter's Waltz." Poullard began life just south of LSUE in Richie before
his family moved to Texas.
Ed is a perennial favorite at Rhythm and Roots, whether he's sitting in with
someone on the Main Stage, fiddling up a storm on the Dance Stage, or an
integral part of a fiddle workshop.
