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Sometimes your favorite travel experiences are the ones you least expect. I see a stop at Martin Accordions, on our Lafayette History and Culture Tour, itinerary. I have no idea at the time, what a rare and wonderful experience awaits.
Martin Accordions is a family run business, in Lafayette, Louisiana. We are greeted at the entrance by Anthony (brother/son), before being introduced to Junior (Papa and family patriarch), Penny (sister/daughter), and Joel (nephew).
The visit starts with an instrument lesson by Penny and Papa.
When most people picture accordions, they imagine accordions with little pianos on the side. The piano accordions are referred to as German accordions. A Cajun accordion uses buttons, instead of piano keys. Penny also shows us some of the percussion instruments, like the triangle, that are prominently used in Cajun and Zydeco music.
Penny, Papa, and Joel, play songs, demonstrating Acadian, music, history. Multiple instruments are played (though the family is hoping for a future fiddle player), and Joel, while playing the accordion, sings.
It’s a proper, private, concert. Musical magic for our ears.
After the family jam session, Anthony leads us into the workshop.
The space is filled with beautiful wood, tools, and lovingly handcrafted accordion parts. It’s hands-on, as Anthony passes around woods used by Martin Accordions. He shares how food coloring is used as stain. There are oohs and ahhs from the group.
The Martins import the billows from a family business, in Italy, much like their own.
So secret is the billow process, the Italian family keeps their billow equipment covered, when not in use.
Anthony is an excellent teacher. He explains the accordion crafting process, using visuals and words, we easily understand.
When completed, each Martin Accordion, is a unique, work of art.
It’s fascinating, witnessing a business, built by and perpetuated, by the team work, of a single family. Penny, Papa, Anthony, and Joel, work hard to keep the family’s, hand crafted accordions, and Acadian music legacy, alive.
Anthony said currently, no one in the younger generations, express interest in learning the family craft (he then mimed staring down at and using a phone/electronic device). I hope they change their minds. Getting to be part of a special family, who builds instruments, that go on to share a unique style of music, that preserves the Acadian culture, is a gift.
You can only visit Martin Accordions as part of a tour group. If you plan to visit Lafayette, Louisiana, you can contact the Lafayette Travel Office, and either book a tour that includes the spot, or they can try to squeeze you in with a larger tour group, already visiting Martin Accordions.
This is a one-of-a-kind experience with a one-of-a-kind family. It’s a travel moment I will always cherish, and highly recommend.
More Fun Things to do in Lafayette
Lafayette History and Culture Tour
Stay in Lafayette
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