Murphy Matthews, 71; Promoted Zydeco, Cajun Music in L.A.

Murphy Matthews, 71, who promoted zydeco and Cajun music and dancing in Los Angeles, died Saturday of an apparent heart attack while dancing at a Redondo Beach fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

An aerospace worker by profession, Matthews moved to Los Angeles in 1973 from his native Louisiana. He quickly sought out members of Southern California’s Creole and Cajun communities and began organizing musical get-togethers and dances.

Matthews regularly attended the annual Long Beach Bayou Festival in Queen Mary Events Park. There and at many other gatherings, he taught zydeco jitterbug and helped others with the Cajun waltz, Cajun two-step and Cajun hustle.

Born near Jeanerette, La., Matthews told The Times in 1992 that some of his happiest memories were of singing and dancing to Cajun and zydeco music in his youth. He described the Cajun form as a combination of the fiddle, accordion, triangle and spoons, integrating country western, African American, swing and bluegrass styles. Zydeco, he said, added a percussion washboard and incorporated rhythm and blues, jazz and urban soul influences.