MermaidThe Bands of Bayou Boogaloo

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Papa Grows Funk, http://www.papagrowsfunk.com

Missing Kidney Stage:  Thursday June 23; 8:00pm-9:30pm

                                                Friday, June 24; 5:15pm-6:15pm

PapaGrow.JPG Papa Grows Funk's all-star lineup features New Orleans' finest musicians and funkiest characters, all of whom have deep roots in New Orleans music.  Anchored around the slinky Hammond B3 grooves of band leader John Gros (George Porter, Jr. and Runnin' Pardners) is internationally renowned June Yamagishi (Wild Magnolias) on guitar, Marc Pero (Smilin' Myron) on bass, Jason Mingledorff (Galactic) on saxophone and Jeffery "Jellybean" Alexander (Jon Cleary), who replaced Russell Batiste, Jr. in 2005, on drums.  Influenced by Dr. John, the Meters and the Neville Brothers, Papa Grows Funk are the guardians of New Orleans funk. PGF continually stretches the bounds of New Orleans music, turning ears and shaking hips wherever they perform.   

As the Hammond B3 growls and Jellybean's cymbals ripple in the background, lead singer John Gros entices the crowd with the question, "can you feel the music?"  Just as natural as breathing, the band transitions to another groove as Pero's knee-dropping beats hammer through Mingledorff's wailing saxophone.  June's guitar riff signals another dynamic shift.  What is in store for the crowd is an evening of New Orleans classics, original material, spontaneous jams and hip shaking, funky music that is Papa Grows Funk. 

In 2011 Papa Grows Funk will begin a fifth album and thus a new chapter for the band.  The band will promote their fifth album and continue to bring the spirit of New Orleans funk with every performance. They have a loyal fan base and have earned respect from so many musicians. Russell Batiste, Jr. says it best about the band's future:   "[Papa Grows Funk has] so much music waiting in the wings that people will have to hang around a long time to hear it. There's no limit to how far this group can go." 

 

Cowboy Mouth, http://www.cowboymouth.com

Main Stage: Friday, June 24; 8:30pm-10:00pm

 cowboymo.jpgThe term 'Cowboy Mouth' has been used in the poetry of Shakespeare and Bob Dylan as well as a play by Patti Smith and Sam Shepard. Usually meaning "One with a loud and

raucous voice" and it describes the band well. With over 2000 concerts under their belt and many years of reviews lauding their live show, there is still one quote which best captures their show"...on a bad night they'll tear the roof off the joint and on a good night, they'll save your soul." -Cake Magazine

Cowboy Mouth is New Orleans rock n' roll. Annually presenting roughly 200 shows per year, releasing nearly a dozen records, and featured on TV shows and radio stations everywhere, Cowboy Mouth has been seen and heard by millions of fans worldwide. For more than 15 years, the members of Cowboy Mouth have preached and shouted at the top of their lungs the joys of being alive and the joys of being in and from New Orleans, sharing a slice of Mardi Gras heaven with fans around the world. As frontman Fred LeBlanc said, "If The Neville Brothers and The Clash had a baby, it would be Cowboy Mouth."

The band's 11 album releases include two records on MCA, one on Atlantic And several on their own Cowboy Mouth Records label. So far, the band has enjoyed domestic sales of over 450,000 units. The album sales pale in comparison to the number of tickets the band sells to their live events. Cowboy Mouth shows are legendary, and have been witnessed by more than 8 million fans to date. Always on the road, they've toured several times with their friends in Hootie and the Blowfish, BareNaked Ladies, Sister Hazel and Better Then Ezra.

Crowd participation is a must at a Cowboy Mouth show. Led by Fred's larger-than-life presence, the band's performances are high-energy and extraordinarily intense, usually leaving audiences as drenched and spent as the band. Cowboy Mouth fans range from ages five to age eighty-five, but they have one thing in common - as Fred confides to the audience, "Cowboy Mouth is about pretending that you're five years old, naked as a jaybird and about to turn the hose on your parents, and there's not a damn thing they can do about it." A Cowboy Mouth show is always full of surprises, and have included guest appearances from Steve Van Zandt, Rob Thomas, John Popper, Art Neville, Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry's piano player), Kyle Turley, and Tom Arnold (Best Damn Sports Show), to name a few. Their audience stretches from the festivals and colleges to the clubs and theaters they headline around the country. The band has also made several film and television appearances, including the Steven Soderburgh film "The Underneath," MTV and VH1, Live with Regis and Kelly, Ellen DeGeneres Show, and The Late Show with Craig Kilborn.

The band is led by Fred LeBlanc, Cowboy Mouth's maniacal drummer/lead singer (think the Tasmanian Devil playing drums like Keith Moon with a voice like Bo Diddley) and John Thomas Griffith on lead vocals and lead guitar. Fred came to Cowboy Mouth after four years with the southern punk band Dash Rip Rock. Also an accomplished producer, Fred mixed the band's first two studio recordings and also earned a gold record for producing Deadeye Dick hit song from the movie Dumb And Dumber, "New Age Girl." Griffith, (the Griff) had been friends with Fred for years before the two talked about forming Cowboy Mouth together along with two local New Orleans musicians. As the lead singer of '80s band, The Red Rockers, Griff had a top-selling album on Columbia Records. Their hit song "China" was one of the first hits on MTV, and is still played on the radio today. Griff has opened on tour with bands like The Go-Gos and U2, and was recently inducted into the Texas Guitar Players' Hall of Fame. The band's rhythm guitarist Jonathan "JP" Pretus cut his musical teeth in clubs and bars in and around New Orleans and Baton Rouge for the better part of the last 10 years. Bassist Regina Zernay, formerly of  Dreamworks/ Megatronic band Halfcocked, was fronting her own band, Méchant, when she met Cowboy Mouth. She's played and recorded with over a half dozen local Southern California bands, including Big Violin (whose music was featured on The Real World), Red Delicious, and Jam Balaya (musical guests on two episodes of the TV show Half & Half). Cowboy Mouth has just released a brand new CD, called "Fearless". The CD includes some of the bands most popular live songs including "Anything", "Disconnected", "Belly" and "Tell the Girl Ur Sorry" of which some earlier, unfinished versions were available on the band's recent live DVD, "The name of the band is Cowboy Mouth".


Pine Leaf Boys, http://www.pineleafboys.com

Missing Kidney Stage: Saturday, June 25; 2:15pm-3:45pm

pineleaf_promopic.jpgLouisiana's finest, four-time Grammy-Nominated, world-renown Pine Leaf Boys have made a name for presenting their own inimitable brand of Cajun music with youthful exuberance. Hailing from the southwest Louisiana, the Pine Leaf Boys, known for their wild shows and thoughtful arrangements, have breathed new life into Cajun music, reviving ancient songs and bringing them to the bandstand. Being described in the New York Times as, "... the link that connects the young and the old generations," and, "the best new, energetic, and fun Cajun band in a very long time," the Pine Leaf Boys play the old fashion dance hall standards while making a priority to bring many of the more obscure songs of past masters into their repertoire and play them with gusto.

 

 

Anders Osborne, http://www.andersosborne.com

Main Stage: Saturday, June 25; 6:00pm-7:15pm

Missing Kidney Stage: Sunday, June 26; 3:30pm-4:30pm

AndersOs.jpgAnders Osborne has been working and living as a professional songwriter out of New Orleans since 1985. Osborne's songs have been recorded by artists such as Tim McGraw, Keb' Mo', Dr. John, Tab Benoit, Double Trouble, and many others. Anders and his band toured the U.S. during these years and in 1995, at which point he was signed to Okeh Records and released the critically acclaimed album entitled "Which Way to Here". The record became Osborne's first commercial break with two top-five singles, "Favorite Son" and "Pleasin' You." Both were featured in several Hollywood movies, and the latter was later recorded by Jonny Lang. Soon after, Anders songs appeared Keb' Mo's Gold selling 1998 "Slow Down" album which achieved Gold status and later won a Grammy award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. The album featured two songs co-written with Osborne for which he received a Grammy.

In 2006 an Osborne penned the song "Watch the Wind Blow By" that was recorded by country music star Tim McGraw, hitting No. 1 on the country charts for 2 weeks and selling over 5 million copies of McGraw's "The Dancehall Doctors" album. The song appeared again later on McGraw's "Greatest Hits, Vol 2" album which sold 3 million copies.

During this time, Anders worked with a number of publishers, first for Polygram Nashville in 1994, then later for Universal Nashville and most recently for Razor and Tie. Besides his own records, some of Ander's producer credits include Tab Benoit "Wetlands" (Telarc) and Clarence Bucaro "Sweet Corn" (Rounder). Compilations appearances include "The Songs Of Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde", "Happiness Is A Warm Gun - The Beatle's Blues White Album" and the "Grateful Dead Tribute Album".

Osborne's travels, life experiences, and his story telling ability gives him a prominent edge as a songwriter and wordsmith. He is able to visualize a look into ordinary life and relate to the everyday middle class American...these are the refined qualities that attract many Artists to seek his songs and music for their own recordings.

 

Rusted Root, www.rustedroot.com

Main Stage Stage: Saturday, June 26; 8:30pm-10:00pm

rusted1.jpgRusted Root has sold more than 3 million albums worldwide.  Formed in Pittsburgh by singer/guitarist Glabicki in the early ‘90s, Rusted Root's worldly style quickly charmed fans of roots music and world rock. After debuting in 1992 with the self released Cruel Sun, Rusted Root signed with Mercury Records and released the 1994 platinum selling breakthrough When I Woke, which featured the hit songs Send Me On My Way, Ecstasy and Martyr. Not long after, the band scored on tours with Toad the Wet Sprocket, Santana, The Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, The Allman Brothers Band, HORDE Festival and, perhaps most notably, the highly coveted support role on the landmark Jimmy Page/Robert Plant reunion tour.

 The hard-touring Rusted Root returned in 1996 with Remember, which was followed by 1998's Rusted Root. Following some time off the band re-emerged in 2002 with Welcome To My Party.  After leaving Mercury/Island Def Jam Records the band's sixth album, Rusted Root Live, was released in 2004.  This double live album was the second release on the band's Touchy Pegg label, following the re-release of the newly remastered Cruel Sun in 2003. Along the way, Rusted Root has also issued three EPs (Evil Ways, Live, and Airplane), a home video (Rusted Root Live) and miscellaneous film and TV soundtrack tracks (Twister, Mathilda, Home For the Holidays, Party of Five, Charmed, Homicide, Ice Age). And interestingly, NASA engineers chose Send Me On My Way as "wake-up" music for the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, for Sol 21.

Rusted Root released Stereo Rodeo, their first studio album in 7 years, on May 5, 2009.  On March 13, 2009 the album became available online. "We named our record Stereo Rodeo after a song that I started writing back when we were recording our last studio record.  It's really just a great name," says band founder/leader Michael Glabicki. "We were all just so into the music," says vocalist/percussionist Liz Berlin about the recording process, "the synergy and excitement on this album is so fresh and energizing." "It is one of the most powerful albums we have ever recorded," agrees bassist/vocalist Patrick Norman.

"[Stereo Rodeo] is filled with all the different styles you've come to expect from Rusted Root, definitely having all the elements you want. From the energetic dance euphoria that Dance in the Middle evokes to the powerful epic sound of Weary Bones," writes Evan Levy (CBS Radio), of the long awaited eleven-song collection.  "We are getting a lot of positive feedback from fans," says vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter, Michael Glabicki, "We are definitely heading in a lot of different directions with this new CD."

Click HERE to purchase your tickets to the 22nd  Annual AT&T Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival

 

Bonerama, www.boneramamusic.com

Missing Kidney Stage: Saturday, June 25; 7:15pm-8:30pm

Main Stage: Sunday, June 26; 2:30pm- 3:30pm

bnrlokidavevan-300x200.jpgEven in a city that doesn't play by the rules, New Orleans' Bonerama is something different. They can evoke vintage funk, classic rock and free improvisation in the same set; maybe even the same song. Bonerama has been repeatedly recognized by Rolling Stone, hailed as "the ultimate in brass balls" (2005) and praised for their "...crushing ensemble riffing, human-feedback shrieks and wah-wah growls" (2007). Bonerama carries the brass-band concept to places unknown; what other brass band could snag an honor for "Best Rock Band" (Big Easy Awards 2007)? As cofounder Mark Mullins puts it, "We thought we could expand what a New Orleans brass band could do. Bands like Dirty Dozen started the "anything goes" concept, bringing in the guitars and the drum kit and using the sousaphone like a bass guitar. We thought we could push things a little further."

New Orleans' fertile club scene was directly responsible for Bonerama getting together. Trombonists Mullins and Craig Klein were both members of Harry Connick's band, where they'd been since 1990. Both were looking to supplement this gig with something a little less structured. "Harry sets the bar pretty high, and you have to play it the same way every night for everyone to follow.

The big chance came in the summer of '98, when Mullins had a weekly residency at Tipitina's in the French Quarter. The club was then turning weekly slots over to some of the city's favorite musicians, including Allen Toussaint and Cyril Neville; Mullins got charge of Wednesdays. Word got out one week that he and Klein were staging their trombone super-session and everybody they knew wanted to get involved. "It seemed that half the trombone players in town showed up," Klein recalls. "At the end of the night we had them all onstage, maybe fifteen trombones at once. It sounded like a freight train; a big wall of sound coming right at you."

Along with his jazz connections, Mullins is Bonerama's resident rock ‘n' roller: It was Mullins who instigated the offbeat classic-rock covers that have become a band tradition. Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein" was the first nugget to get the treatment and songs by Hendrix, Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and the Allman Brothers Band have since appeared in their set right alongside the funk and jazz-flavored numbers. "There's definitely something about the guitar and the trombone that are related," Mullins figures. "You compare the fretboard to the slide; there's a lot of similarity there." Indeed, the sounds Mullins makes by playing through a guitar amp and wah-wah pedal may explain why he's named Jimi Hendrix as one of his favorite trombonists. "It's great to grab people with the rock songs, and then turn them on to some New Orleans music at the same time," Klein says.

The buzz on Bonerama grew with hometown acclaim (with the band winning numerous OffBeat Magazine Awards; and Mullins regularly topping OffBeat's trombone category), lots of roadwork, and three live albums - the first recorded close to home at the Old Point in Algiers; the second on tour in New York and the third album, Bringing It Home recorded live from New Orleans' world famous nightclub, Tipitina's. The Boston Herald called them a "bonehead's dream"; the Vail (CO) Daily noted that "the sound is fat and wet; sometimes downright lusty." As hometown music zine Off- Beat put it, "That nerdy kid in the band room with the trombone just might have the last laugh after all."

The new EP Hard Times contains four studio tracks including the title track, "Hard Times", the instrumental number "Folly" and "Lost My House" which was co-wrttten by Craig Klein and Dave Malone from the Radiators. These three new originals along with a cover of Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks" marks the band's first ever studio recordings. A bonus fifth track features a live performance of "Turn on Your Love Light" captured live from the stage at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

"'Lost My House' is a true story inspired by the the levee failures in 2005. The verse was written by Dave Malone, who knows the story of the Rugalator. In the song, it is symbolic of losing everything, but still having the things you love and cherish. Some things can't be taken away," says Klein.

"The song "Hard Times" is really about the antithesis of hard times and flipping our fears over to optimism. To those that say all hell is breaking loose, we say kick out the demons and embrace all the positives that are always around us but often ignored in this world," says Mullins.

  

The Savoy Family Cajun Band, http://www.savoymusiccenter.com

The Missing Kidney Stage: Sunday, June 26; 1:30pm-2:30pm

sav-fam-jpeg-low.jpgThe Savoy Family Cajun Band plays honed down, hard-core Cajun music laced with an earthy sensuality. In their hands, the old tunes have been revived and returned to new life. Marc and Ann Savoy and their sons Joel and Wilson are strong individual musicians working together to create a tight, intense sound.

Marc and Ann have been performing and recording together since 1977. They have traveled all over the world, appearing in such prestigious venues as the Newport Folk Festival, the Berlin Jazz Festival, the Smithsonian Institution, the Getty Museum, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Ann and Joel appeared in the film Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood and they performed on the Warner Brothers Soundtrack, as well as at the film's premiere in Los Angeles. Ann served as associate music producer on All The King's Men (Sony Pictures) , wrote a song that was used in the film, and she, Joel and Wilson appeared therein with Sean Penn as musicians.

Marc Savoy has received the National Heritage Fellowship Award. Marc and Ann appeared on the PBS series "American Roots," and Ann wrote the chapter on Cajun music in the book , Rolling Stones Press,that accompanied the series. Ann was awarded the Botkin Book Award for her definitive Cajun Music, A Reflection of a People. Wilson, as a member of the Grammy-nominated Pine Leaf Boys, appeared on HBO's "Treme" series. And Joel was a founding member of the Red Stick Ramblers and today has his own record company, Valcour Records..

Maintaining a more acoustic approach to Cajun music, the Savoy Family Cajun Band can nonetheless hold its own amongst Cajun music lovers everywhere, and takes pride in drawing considerable power from four acoustic instruments. Sometimes the group demonstrates the way Cajun music has evolved by featuring the early double fiddle - triangle sound or an accordion - fiddle duet. Early French ballads are added to the program to show other historic elements of early southwest Louisiana.

Between the songs Ann may briefly translate the songs' Cajun French poetry. She also, sometimes, in concert settings, does beautiful readings from the old Cajun masters from her book on the history of Cajun music.The repertoire is chosen carefully: popular dancehall tunes interspersed with soulful ballads, fiddle and vocal duets, and blues. The songs show the spectrum of Cajun life from sorrow and lost love to nonsense and the joy of dance. The Savoy Family Cajun Band brings the raw energy of the dancehalls of southwest Louisiana to the stage, peppered with humorous and informative anecdotes about life in the Cajun heartland.

  

Funky Meters, http://www.funkymeters.com/

Main Stage Stage: Sunday, June 26; 4:30pm-6:00pm

funkymeters.jpgFormed during an informal jam during the 1989 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Art Neville, George Porter Jr., and Russe1l Batiste Jr., founded what would be the core of the funky METERS.  The history of founding members Art Neville and George Porter Jr. dates back to 1967, when keyboardist, Art recruited bass player, George, drummer Joseph (Zigaboo) Modeliste and guitarist Leo Nocentelli to form The Meters. In their 31-year history, The Meters have grooved their way around the globe. They have toured with such talents as The Rolling Stones, and have been a studio band for such diverse artists as Dr. John, Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer, and Patti Labelle. The original Meters disbanded in the late 70's. Today founding members Art Neville and George Porter Jr., are joined by New Orleans native Brian Stoltz on guitar and Russell Batiste Jr. on drums and are known officially as the funky METERS. funky METERS tap into the roots of The Meters musical heritage while taking the sound well into the future. Their trademark sound blends funk, blues, and dance grooves with a New Orleans vibe.

In 1994, Art and George were joined by guitarist Brian Stoltz and Russell Batiste and officially christened The Funky METERS. This lineup carried the funk torch until the spring of 2007 when Stoltz left to pursue his solo career and Ian Neville, the son of Meters founder Art Neville joined the line up taking over guitar duties. Growing up in the Neville house of music and touring with The Neville Brothers, as well Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Ian was poised to step in to help bring the band into the future. In 2011, Brian Stoltz was invited to play with funky METERS when Ian was committed to his band, Dumpstaphunk, gigs. Once the band was onstage it was if they hadn't skipped a beat, the band and audience both knew Brian was meant to be there. After four years with Ian in the band, the time came for him to focus on his own band's success and funky METERS invited Brian to rejoin full time.

The collective resume between the four artists in the band speaks volumes for the level of musicianship and creativity that comes alive when they play together on any stage.  After three years of solid touring including dates at Bonnaroo, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Jamcruise, The Fillmore Auditorium and countless others the funky METERS are stronger than ever.  In fact, the funk is still going as strong today as it was 40 plus years ago.

Click HERE to purchase your tickets to the 22nd  Annual AT&T Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival