Donna Angelle & the Zydeco Posse
Born in a southwest Louisiana farming community, Donna’s love of music began at a very young age. In grade school she learned to play the clarinet, which led to her playing other instruments. After performing in her high school band, Donna pursued a career in music. Her musical style which lends itself to Blues and R&B has been greatly influenced by many pop and R&B artists. As bandleader, Donna has fronted two bands, ‘Chapter IV’ and ‘The Zydeco Posse.’ She has played with the Bobby Price band, Barbara Lynn, Archie Bell and the Drells. Donna has had the opportunity to open for many musical greats including Boozoo Chavis, Denise LaSalle, Charmaine Neville, Irma Thomas, Beau Jocque, Chubby Carrier and a host of others. From promoters to fans, Donna has earned the title, ‘Zydeco Diva’ because of her sophistication and professionalism. Very soft spoken and a charming personality, Donna is always striving to perfect her craft. She has the ability to play an instrument and sing at the same time. Donna is one of the hardest working musicians on the Zydeco circuit and one of the few females fronting a Zydeco band today.
Funky Butt Brass Band
The Funky Butt Brass Band was formed in 2008 by six musicians who respect and revere the New Orleans brass band tradition. Made up of members of Gumbohead, The Feed, Musica Slesa and other renowned St. Louis groups, the FBBB takes traditional New Orleans brass tunes and gives them a funky flavor, in the style of the Dirty Dozen and Rebirth Brass Bands. But don’t be surprised if you also hear a little Motown, some Southern rock and a touch of straight-ahead Chicago blues.
Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe
Dikki Du (Troy Carrier) was born in 1969 in Church Point, Louisiana and discovered his love for zydeco music at the tender age of nine. After school he would get together with his brother Chubby, sister Elaine and father Roy to play Zydeco music. At the age of twelve Troy moved to a little town called “Lawtell”, where his father had owned the Offshore Lounge for over fifteen years. Troy played the washboard for Roy Carrier, his father, on local gigs; he then joined forces with the great C.J. Chenier for two years. Troy’s brother Chubby Carrier then started a family band and offered Troy a job playing the drums. Troy toured with his brother from the late 80′s until the 90′s, when he returned home to pick up the accordion. It has now been eight years that Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe have been on the scene. Dikki Du has incorporated his musical heritage with unique experience to create one of the most innovative zydeco groups around. The krewe captures an audience with one of the best sets around. His original funky and hypnotic zydeco style announces that he has arrived, occupying a spot on par with the best. “Personally the triple row is the sound that I like the best”. says Dikki Du. He takes songs from classic zydeco and turns the inside out with fresh and funky renditions driving it to the next level. The krewe’s innovations revitalize zydeco charging it for years to come.
Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp
After returning to Illinois from Louisiana, Dennis began a long odyssey that eventually culminated in the forming of Creole Stomp in 2002. And since that time he and his band have carried the torch of French Creole music and culture across North America performing a blend of music from the state of Louisiana and old upper Louisiana. Their unique sound and mix of ancient and modern Mississippi River valley musical
tradition positions them as the only band to encompass French Creole and Folk Music from the entirety of the old Louisiana Territory. And although Dennis continues to play with many of his Louisiana based friends on occasion, you can always find him at the helm of Creole Stomp playing somewhere from San Diego to Boston.
Gumbohead
GUMBOHEAD is a St. Louis-based collective of rhythmic rapscallions and tuneful tricknologists who find great joy playing music born in and influenced by New Orleans and southwest Louisiana – zydeco, funk, blues, jazz, r&b and more.
Gumbohead has opened for several legendary Louisiana artists including the Neville Brothers, Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk, the Dirty Dozen, Terrance Simien, Chubby Carrier, Jon Cleary and Buckwheat Zydeco. Recently, the band played a private fundraiser in New Orleans with John Boutte, Paul Sanchez, Papa Grows Funk, Rebirth Brass Band and The Radiators and other NOLA artists to help raise more than $24,000 for the New Orleans Musicians Clinic.
Every gig is a full-blown, bead-tossing Mardi Gras throwdown, guaranteed to make you shake everything you’ve got!
Davina and The Vagabonds
Davina and The Vagabonds are known in The Twin Cities, Minnesota as being the busiest band in town because of their hard-working professionalism, high energy stage performance, and original sound.
Davina and The Vagabonds average over 300 performance dates a year, trying to share their music with the world.
Awards Include : “Road To Memphis MN” 2009, King of Beale Street 2009, and International Songwriting Competition Finalist 2010.
Davina and The Vagabonds have shared the stage with : Pinetop Perkins, Aaron Neville, Gary Moore, 10 Years After, The Mannish Boys, Robert Cray, Los Lonely Boys, Scottie “Bones” Miller, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Ana Popovic, Booker T and The MGs, Bobby Rush, Irma Thomas, James Hunter, Bobbie Blue Bland, Willie Big Eyes Smith, and many others.
River City 6
The Quad Cities own River City 6 is a six piece Jazz band that plays traditional Jazz, Standards, New Orleans Jazz, Big Band and Dixieland.
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Backwater Bayou Band
The local Backwater Bayou Band blends Cajun, zydeco, rhythm & blues and Dixieland jazz, to make New Orleans street music.
