Cleoma’s Ghost
“Catskills Cajun Duo Keeping Creole Classics Alive”
Quick Intro
Cleoma’s Ghost is a traditional Cajun duo from New York’s Catskill Mountains—Buffy Lewis (rhythm guitar, vocals) and Roger Weiss (fiddle, vocals)—named in homage to Cajun trailblazer Cléoma Breaux Falcon. Blending front-porch intimacy with dance-hall drive, they’ve carried Cajun music to weddings, markets, and festivals across the U.S., with recordings carried in the Flat Town Music catalog.
In-Depth Profile
Forged by years of traveling to southwest Louisiana and immersing themselves in dance-floor tradition, Cleoma’s Ghost mixes time-honored two-steps and waltzes with originals crafted in Creole French and English. The duo’s early release Mon Cœur Est Avec Toi introduced their warm, unvarnished sound; a later album, Take Me Back: A Cajun Reverie, broadened their repertoire with classic standards, porch-song ballads, and lively instrumentals. Their arrangements keep the heartbeat simple—fiddle up front, sturdy rhythm guitar, and vocals that favor feel over flash—so the stories and the steps stay center stage. As featured artists within the Flat Town Music family, their work aligns with our mission to preserve and promote Louisiana roots music wherever it travels.
Signature Tracks
- “Attention, c’est mon coeur qui va casser” — a classic Cajun heartbreaker; plaintive vocals and fiddle lines carry the melody with front-porch intimacy.
- “Jamesie’s Waltz” — (band original) a graceful, slow-turning waltz that spotlights the duo’s close vocal blend and sympathetic fiddle-guitar interplay.
- “Mon coeur est avec toi” — (band original) a tender statement piece for the group—simple, direct, and emotionally true to their homespun style.
Notable Accomplishments & Awards
- Recognized for authentically interpreting Cajun repertoire outside Louisiana, bringing Creole French songs and traditional dance music to wider audiences.
Bonus Notes
- The group’s name salutes Cléoma Breaux Falcon, a pioneering woman of Cajun music—signaling the duo’s reverence for early string-band roots.
- Performances range from intimate markets and community events to regional festivals, keeping the music connected to dancers and families.