Following their dance party at Ashkenaz, tonight Ray Abshire and the Aux Cajunals take the Freight stage for an evening combining the very finest in traditional Cajun music with some fascinating history and down-home tale-spinning.

Born into a family whose name is synonymous with Cajun music, accordionist Ray Abshire learned his trade during the '50s and '60s "Dance Hall Era" of South Louisiana. Ray began performing at age 14, inspired by his cousin, the legendary Nathan Abshire, and his neighbor Amadie Breaux, and in 1969 he became accordionist for the renowned Balfa Brothers Band. Known for his awesome technique, impeccable timing, and attacking drive, Ray still remains true to the hard-core sound he grew up with. His performances draw on deep emotions but are also musically precise, and he has a classic high tenor vocal style that recalls singers from the pre-amplification era who had to project their voices across the dance hall. The show is sure to draw from Ray's large repertoire of songs rarely heard today, including plenty of pure, joyful, energetic tunes from the Abshire and Balfa family traditions like the ones showcased in his recent album, For Old Times' Sake (Swallow).

Sharing the stage with Ray are the Bay Area's own Aux Cajunals, known and loved for playing the kind of old-fashioned Cajun music which has been an integral part of celebrations in southwest Louisiana for over 100 years. Suzy Thompson squeezes one-row accordion, doubles on fiddle, and brings the old songs to life with her powerful vocals. Agi Ban's lively fiddling combines with Eric Thompson's second fiddle to create a seamless mix that propels the band's rhythms, while Alan Senauke contributes rhythm guitar and intense vocals. The Aux Cajunals' repertoire includes many unusual tunes learned from rare 78's, field recordings, and directly from master musicians.