Alligator Zydeco Band
Inspired by providing the Zydeco element to various musical groups since 1985, Greg "The Snakeman" Troiano formed the Alligator Zydeco Band during Mardi Gras in 1995. This talented 5 (or 6) piece band plays the Louisiana music with the infectious beat, called Zydeco. They pepper this “musical gumbo” with a white hot, hybrid spice they call “B.Y.U.Z.” music.(Basic Yankee Urban Zydeco- pronounced bi-yooz) Authentic instrumentation such as Cajun, 3-row Diatonic and Piano accordions, and washboard, as well as guitar, bass and drums, harmonize to provide dynamic dance music. Add some Cajun/Creole-French vocals, spicy two-steps, romantic waltzes and sultry Louisiana rhythm and blues, to round out a solid, energetic Zydeco dance format, and you have the signature sound of this group. The emphasis is on dance and the celebration of life.
Donna Angelle & The Zydeco Posse
Donna Angelle was born in Cypress Island in St. Martin Parish. She began playing keyboard at places like the Gipsy Club in St. Martinville LA. In 1994, she began including Zydeco in her repertoire. Record producer Mike Lachney asked her to audition for him and signed her to record her first CD, Zydeco Soul, released in 1995 by Bad Weather Records. She next recorded two CDs on Floyd Soileau's Maison de Soul label. Old Man's Sweetheart came out in 1998, and Down the Bayou was released in 1999.
Donna spends a lot of time on the road–traveling all over the United States and in Europe, including a three-week engagement at Maxwell Café in Paris. Her 2001 CD, It's Alright, released by J&S Records in Ville Platte. The CD displays Angelle's vocal talents along with her skills on the accordion. It's Alright is the first CD that features her accordion on most of the songs. The CD features a Zydeco version of Curtis Mayfield's "It's Alright," as well as Cliff Noble's "Horse," and Angelle also gives her version of Beau Jocque's "Walk with Me."
Bayou Bandits
Cajun music is uniquely American and the Bayou Bandits are working hard to bring this energetic Louisiana music to the people of the NorthEast. The Bandits have created their own sound by taking traditional Cajun music and stamping it with their influences in Blues, Rock, Country and Zydeco.
Hearing it makes you want to move your feet!!!!! The band formed in 1994 by fiddler, Dan Klinger, Accordian Player Chuck Topolnicki, and Guitarist, Rick Kushner soon added Randy Lee Harter on Bass, and his brother Brian Harter on Drums. Randy and Brian both came from a Rock and Roll background and their driving sound has become the backbone of the BAYOU BANDITS rhythm section. All members of the band sing and much of the singing is done in traditional Cajun French. Together these five musicians want to bring you a musical taste of Louisiana.
Roy Carrier & The Night Rockers
Roy Carrier’s roots in rural Zydeco are about deep as anyone’s, extending back through the Carrière family to the beginnings of Creole music in the Lawtell-Opelousas area, where Clifton Chenier also grew up. Carrier first learned to play after his father bought an accordion from Cajun musician Nathan Abshire. According to his account of his musical beginnings, Roy sneaked off with the accordion and played it in the barnyard, hoping his father would not find out. His father whipped him one time, but then decided to let him play. Carrier, who can also play guitar, formed the first version of the Night Rockers when he was 14. He lost half of his index finger in a farm machinery accident had to relearn the accordion by developing a unique technique of "crossing" chords. He did not purchase his own accordion until he was 25. For about 15 years, he supported his family by working as an offshore roughneck in the oil industry. His seven-on, seven-off schedule still allowed him to find time to perform. He purchased the club that became the Offshore Lounge in 1981. Today, Roy Carrier and the Night Rockers are playing a circuit that usually includes Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York.
Creole Zydeco Farmers
Originally formed as Fernest Arceneaux’s band “The Thunders”, the Creole Zydeco Farmers include two of Arceneaux'’ original members: guitarist Chester Chevalier and background vocalist Clarence “Jockey” Ettienne. Accordion and lead vocal duties are traded off by Zydeco veterans Warren Prejean Sr. and Morris Francis. All residents of Lafayette, the Farmers chose a name that pays homage to their rural roots. Among the tunes they perform is Clifton Chenier’s “I’m A Farmer” an homage to “cane-cutters” and “potato diggers” everywhere. The band favors Chenier style Zydeco and also covers local hits by Rockin’ Sidney, best known for his hit of “My Toot Toot”.
As the Creole Zydeco Farmers they have played throughout Louisiana, toured in Texas, Missouri, Mississippi, Maryland, Washington D.C., New York, California, Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, Massachusetts, Indiana, Illinois, Canada, Vancouver, Florida and Pennsylvania. The Band has also performed abroad in Germany, Holland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Greece. They have also performed twice at the Annual New Orleans Music Celebration “Jazzfest”. For Clarence "Jockey" Etienne, he has made eight appearances there overall.
Thomas "Big Hat" Fields
Thomas "Big Hat" Fields is making his mark in Zydeco Music. In less than a year he learned the Accordion and has played some of the top Clubs in the area and also New Orleans, Houston, Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, D.C., \Virginia and New York. Future dates are set for a return to the Baltimore/ New York area a German Festival in Ohio and dates in Georgia and Austin, Texas.
Thomas was born in the "Frog Capital" of Rayne, Louisiana on May 10, 1947. His immediate family played no music, but his great grandmother played the accordion as well as a couple of his great uncles. It was while operating a Night Club in Grand Coteau, Louisiana and dealing with Zydeco Bands that he got the bug to perform on the accordion. It wasn't long before he went out and purchased an accordion and found a teacher to get him started playing Zydeco Music....
Funk N' Gumbo
New Orleans music is Party Music and Funk ‘N’ Gumbo plays New Orleans music. Funk ‘N’ Gumbo is an eight piece musical fusion of New Orleans style Funk, Blues, Zydeco and Cajun music. As a frequent visitor to New Orleans, bassist Bill Coleman was taken by the diverse yet unique musical styles of New Orleans. After many years of playing bass In Rock & Roll Bands, Coleman decided that he would pursue a different track. It took nearly 2 years to find the musicians that could not only play, but also appreciate the various New Orleans styles. What finally emerged was Funk ‘N’ Gumbo offers a little slice of the New Orleans music scene here in the Northeast. With music ranging from the Meters to Buckwheat Zydeco, to Wayne Toupes, and a lot in between, the band has a wide repertoire that gets the crowd involved. The Zydeco and Cajun tunes, especially, generate a lot of energy. “It’s just great party music” says Coleman. Playing to sold out rooms and standing room only crowds, their appeal is not only in their musicianship and showmanship, but also in providing something different and appealing.
Malkum Gibson & The Mighty Juke
Malkum Gibson & The Mighty Juke is one of today's hottest bands. They are four great performers with one great sound. They Play American Roots Dance Music with not just a band, but a high energy show you will love. Malkum Gibson & The Mighty Juke are sweet vocals, a driving rhythm section, a hot harp and accordion player, and one of the most inventive guitar players you'll ever hear. They are entertainment at its very finest.
Malkum Gibson is one of today's truly great blues men. Starting out recording with B. B. King, Malkum's early music was produced by Mr. King. Touring clubs, festivals and concert venues near and far, Malkum & the Mighty Juke will BLUESICATE, SWING–A–FY and ZYDECIZE you with Swing, Jump, and Blues, to R&B, Rock-A-Billy, and Zydeco ...
Gris Gris
Gris Gris (pronounced Gree Gree) in Cajun folklore means a spell, it was said that you could have the gris gris put on you. It comes from the rich New Orleans Voodoo folklore traditions. Gris Gris, the band, is an established Cajun/Zydeco band based out of central Florida. It is led by James LeBlanc on Vocals and Accordion. James is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana and has played with many of that states top musicians in his 25 years of performing. James played guitar and was lead vocalist for the Cajun band "Cajun Brew" from 1988-89 before moving to central Florida. James speaks and sings in authentic Cajun French, which was his first language growing up in the heart of Acadiana. Gris Gris will put a magical musical spell on you for sure, Cher!
Junkyard Saints
The Junkyard Saints (Formerly Gumbo Junkyard) is a Baltimore-based band performing their own brand of roots party music, incorporating elements of New Orleans R&B, Zydeco, Latin, Ska, Swing, and Jump Blues. The band has performed with such notables as Buckwheat Zydeco, The Iguanas, Wayne Toups and Big Jack Johnson, and has appeared at clubs such as Twist and Shout, 8x10, Bohager's, Roots Cafe and Cat's Eye Pub. In May, 1999, The Junkyard Saints appeared at the Cajun Crawfish Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with Beausoleil, Boozoo Chavis and Geno Delafose. They have performed at Baltimore's Inner Harbor both for it's Summer Concert Series and New Year's 1997, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's 1997 Gala, City Paper's Best of Baltimore 1996, the grand opening of The Columbus Center, The Baltimore Book Festival 1997, The 1997 Cross Street Fun Festival, The Fells Point Festival, The Johns Hopkins University Spring Fair, American Visionary Art Museum's July 4 Bash 1997 and 1998, and Center Stage.
Krewe Of Renegades
The Krewe Of Renegades are New Orleans Classic Soul Music. They are ambassadors of the Crescent Cities’ Golden Era of Rhythm & Blues. Their unique brand of nostalgic musical interpretation rings true with a fine lineup of all-star musical talent performing the hits of Irma Thomas, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, the Meters, James Booker, Allen Toussaint, Earl King, Lee Dorsey, and of course, their special brand of original material.
Rosie Ledet
Mary Rosezla Bellard Ledet was born Oct 25, 1971 in rural Church Point, LA. She learned to play the accordion by watching her husband, Morris, play and then practicing on his accordion while he worked during the day. She describes her first meeting with Zydeco as such; "I attended my first Zydeco dance at Richard's Club in Lawtell, LA — I didn't think I would like Zydeco music, but when I heard Boozoo Chavis play, I was hooked on it! That night I fell in love with Zydeco music."
Since rising to the front of her husband's Zydeco band, Rosie has been performing steadily throughout the Louisiana-Texas Zydeco circuit, as well as playing from one coast to the other. She Has appeared at the "Dusk 'Til Dawn" Blues Festival in Oklahoma, the annual famous Zydeco Festival in Plaisance, LA, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Frog Island Festival, Birmingham City Stages, Belechere Festival, St. Louis Roots & Blues Festival, Mobile Bayfest, Kansas City Grand Bon Ton, and The Escoheag Cajun & Bluegrass Festival...
LeeRon Zydeco & The Hot Tamales
Established in 1994, LeeRon Zydeco and The Hot Tamales specialize in an upbeat, spicy mix of Zydeco, Cajun, Blues, Caribbean, Tex-Mex and New Orleans Funk. It's fun, foot-stompin' family-friendly entertainment guaranteed to get your party or event cookin'!
Led by the funky, freight-train accordion of LeeRon Zydeco, the band has taken their
joyful, infectious sound to audiences at major events and celebrations throughout the U.S. The group has shared the stage with Zydeco headliners such as Buckwheat Zydeco, Beausoleil, Chubby Carrier and Geno Delafose. Compromised of some of the best musicians found anywhere, LeeRon Zydeco & the Hot Tamales' shows feature the talents of such artists as LeeRon Zydeco Davis (accordion, percussion, lead and backing vocals), August Russo (percussion/rubboard), Nick Veltri (bass), Doug Morgano (guitar), Mike Phelps (drums), Geoffrey Fitzhugh Perry (violin/guitar/mandolin), Janice Mitchell (vocals), Valerie Falk (vocals), Christopher Haug (bass), Sanford Konikoff (drums), Ted Lambert (fiddle), Jeff Hackworth (sax), Jeffery Whiting (drums), Steve Sadoff (bass) and Ernie Corallo (guitar).
L'il Anne & Hot Cayenne
"Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne are one of the northeast's most popular zydeco acts. The band frequently headlines major dance events and is often featured on the bill of several regional music festivals. Their live performances are both exciting and hard driving, and they can be counted on to get their entire audience up on the dance floor. The bottom line here is that Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne are a great live act. Everyone that has a chance to see the band perform live should do so."
Los Blancos
Los Blancos is a party band whose music spans style and time, and defies classification. They've been compared to Little Feat, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators, The Allman Brothers, The Band, and countless other breeders of American Music. On any given night they rip through Blues, Memphis Soul, rockin' Zydeco, Santana-esque Latin rock, Outlaw Country, NYC-style funk, and a dozen other styles. Los Blancos was born from decades of dues in the hands of a band that plays/writes from the heart. Sure, they pepper their original shows with a healthy shake of down-home Roots, but this band doesn’t just cross the line between styles, they soak it in tequila and torch it!!!
Vic Sadot & Planete Folle
"Planète Folle" (French for "Crazy Planet") came into existence in 1992 upon Vic Sadot's return from his travels throughout southwestern Louisiana, the area settled by French speaking Americans that gave birth to Cajun and Zydeco music. Vic had been attracted to the Zydeco music of Clifton Chenier in the late 70's when a friend came back from Montreal, Quebec and gave him the “Live at Montreux” LP. This led to a more general interest in Cajun and Zydeco music of Louisiana. Vic made the transition to Cajun/Zydeco a natural and logical choice. Vic was able to recruit a number of talented musicians and book “Planete Folle” band steadily into a number of fine venues...
Savoir Faire Cajun Band
Savoir Faire Band members are veteran musicians, who have played for several years in Washington, DC-area bands Squeeze Bayou, Zydeco Crayz, and the Canecutters. They've studied traditional music directly with Louisiana masters such as Steve Riley (of the Mamou Playboys), Dewey Balfa, and Marc & Ann Savoy. With Kevin Bell on Cajun Accordion, Sandy Van Blaricom on fiddle and vocals, Trent Van Blaricom on fiddle and vocals, Doug Bell on electric/acoustic guitar and vocals, Kevin Enoch on electric bass, and Ben Holmes on drums and vocals; the band performs the traditional style as well as the driving electric style typical of contemporary Louisiana dance halls. Single-row accordion and twin fiddles blend with soaring Cajun French vocals. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser on the dance floor.
Squeeze Bayou Cajun Band
The 6-Piece Squeeze Bayou Cajun Band, based in the Washington, D.C. area plays traditional Cajun and Zydeco dance music from Southwestern Louisiana. The band specializes in playing two steps and waltzes, however the music reflects a blend of many styles including Country , Blues and Creole music. Most of their material comes from traditional sources and the vocals are sung in Cajun French. The musicians in Squeeze Bayou have been performing traditional music at dances, festivals, parties and other events in the Washington D.C. area for over 18 years. The band consists of Karen Collins on fiddle & vocals, Matt Levine on lap steel, Brian Simms on accordion & vocals, Fred Feinstein on guitar, Kevin Enoch on bass and David Lopez on drums.
T-Broussard & The Zydeco Steppers
Accordionist, singer, and songwriter are among several of Bryant's musical talents. He also plays drums, scrubboard, and bass guitar. Although Zydeco music is Bryant's primary performance style, he also plays traditional Creole music. Bryant's stage presence exudes a remarkable energy. He has been booked for performances from coast to coast. Some of his performances include both East and West Coast tours. A few of the festivals he has performed in include the Memphis Tennessee Beale Street Festival, The Sparks Nevada July 4th Festival, The Alabama Blues Festival, and The Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival. Other prominent local Louisiana events include Zydeco Extravaganza in Lafayette, The Zydeco Throwdown in Opelousas, and numerous casino performances in Lake Charles and New Orleans. Some of his musical recordings can even be heard as the background music to promotional radio commercials and a Discovery Channel television program...
Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Road Runners
Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Road Runners is one of the hottest zydeco bands on the scene. He delivers the Louisiana Traditional Zydeco with hits that will make the party honk. When you hear this “Creole Cowboy” all you can do is stomp your feet to the beat. Leroy is a throwback to the first generation of Zydeco that knows when to mix a waltz into the proceedings. He has an encyclopedic repertoire of Zydeco, Cajun, R&B, Blues, and any other form of Louisiana roots music. He has recently returned to his hometown of Elton, Louisiana. He tours all over the world, making the crowds rock from sun up to sun down. With his quick hands and rhythmic beat, he thrills all crowds from festivals to dance halls. To add to his list of talents, his songs are also recorded in French. On stage, Leroy swings his accordion in the air, never missing a note. At the age of 8 Leroy Thomas was learning how to play drums with five gallon paint buckets. He bolted these buckets and flipped them over. Using nothing but little branches of trees as sticks he was on his way to becoming a very, very talented performer...
Sean Vidrine & Swamp Fyre
The music that Sean Vidrine and Swamp Fyre makes can not easily be placed under the heading Cajun or Zydeco. It has to do with both, although some Rock & Roll influences are involved. Sean proves this with his versions of Allons a Lafayette, Jambalaya and Jolie Blonde. I do numbers from Beau Jacque, Steve Riley, Wayne Toups and others. The pumping and rolling piano accompaniment on his second CD (Sean Vidrine and Swamp Fyre from 2000) makes you think of Jerry Lee Lewis. Sean Vidrine is surrounded on stage by various ten-button boxes. During modulations he changes accordions in an undisturbed way and goes on next impressing us all with his very dynamic act on the edge of the stage.
A concert by Sean Vidrine is attended with a lot of energy bursting out on stage. The power and passion of that man is unbelievable!...
John Wilson & The Zydeco House Rockers
John Wilson grew up in the heart of Louisiana’s Acadian bayou country, Iberia Parish. By the age of 12, John was playing harmonica and triple row accordion. An uncle and many of the Zydeco legends that frequented the area heavily influenced him. John was soon playing roadhouses of Southwest Louisiana and earning the reputation of a rising young zydeco player. The Zydeco House Rockers were formed in 1991 and soon made themselves a favorite on the Zydeco Dance Hall circuit playing Swamp Blues and Zydeco. In 1993, The John Wilson & The Zydeco House Rockers were invited to perform at The Silda Jazz Festival in Norway, which is Norway’s major International Jazz Fest.
Zydamax
Zydamax is the hottest new Zydeco band to hit the stages in Decades with the driving Bass, the Southern Rock guitar leads, and what Zydeco/Cajun band would be complete without the unique sounds of the squeeze box and rasping rhythm of the washboard. If you are into Cajun music then this band is for you. Zydamax brings to life the world known as Zydeco/Cajun Music with a Texas soul like no other. The band takes inspiration from some of the best known Cajun and Lone Star State musicians. The band features: Larry Church, Lead Singer, Guitar Picker and most importantly Squeeze Box Player; Lee Ratterree banging out the tunes on the Drums; Mike Montes driving home the Bass; and Scott Meissner scratching on the Washboard. All four members of the band compose and write their own songs. So come on in and hear this exciting new band.
Zydeco Crayz
Cranking up the hard-driving beat on pure Zydeco and old-time Creole tunes, Zydeco Crayz is Washington's top Zydeco band. The band conjures up the heat and intensity of a Louisiana dance hall on a Saturday night! Zydeco combines the hot sounds of the black French musical traditions of Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Caribbean and Soul in the full range of dance hall styles. Zydeco Crayz will take you back to the remote and mysterious swamps, bayous and prairies of Southwest Louisiana.
Zydecoal
Zydecoal is a Cajun/Zydeco band based in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. This five-man group has been heating up the dance floor with spicy Louisiana music since 1994. Bill Davis is lead singer and plays rubboard, mandolin, harmonica, guitar, keyboard and fiddle. Dave Gonzolo plays accordion and is last years first place winner at the Northeast Accordion Association competition. Matt Ward plays guitar and sings. Tex Rowe is featured on bass and vocals. He and Matt have played together for many years in some of the top Texas blues clubs before joining Zydecoal. Charlie Alaimo is the drummer and percussionist. The group has played the top local clubs, the Pocono Resorts, and clubs in Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City. Zydecoal has also played festivals with Buckwheat Zydeco, C.J. Chenier, File, Edgar Winter, Bill Kirchen (of Commander Cody), The Badlees and Clarence Spady.