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cajun and zydeco accordions - vocals - fiddle - scrubboard - triangle |
fiddle - scrubboard - vocals |
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| vocals - guitar | |
bass |
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| Sam Murray | drums - scrubboard - vocals - triangle |
The CAJUN ROOSTERS are a multi talented multi award winning truly International band bringing together some of the finest and most experienced Cajun and Zydeco musicians in Europe. They have a reputation as one of the most authentic Cajun and Zydeco bands around which has put them in the forefront of the scene and earned them headline festival appearances in Germany, France, Netherlands, UK, Denmark, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium and Italy.
They are equally at home playing blues festivals, jazz festivals, folk roots festivals, and Cajun/Zydeco festivals as their varied repertoire gives them an unmatched ability to appeal to so many audiences. This repertoire includes not just Cajun and Zydeco but also Swamp Blues, Louisiana Rock ‘n Roll, Creole and New Orleans beats. They have also carved out a reputation as one of the most popular headline bands on the summer outdoor stage circuit winning over big audiences in city squares all over Europe many of whom have never heard Cajun or Zydeco music before.
The band were formed when Chris Hall, multi award winning and legendary accordion player, and drummer Sam Murray, both from England joined forces with 3 former members of The Cajun Pioneers. The CAJUN ROOSTERS story began as Chris Hall used his considerable experience and knowledge of the music to hone the band into a tighter, leaner and more authentic machine with a groove that is second to none outside Louisiana. His input was invaluable and sparked off a joint group motivation to be the best band around playing this music and consequently they very rapidly became first choice for many festivals and stages looking for a band that could energise audiences and relate to crowds of all sizes.
CD'S
Their first CD 'Crank it up' (Info and order here) recorded in Munich received rave reviews and picked up many radio and TV appearances! Down home, dirty, and dangerous Cajun & Zydeco recorded with passion to honour the Louisiana Masters. They were subsequenly invited to the UK as studio session guests on Mark Lamarr's BBC2 prestigous radioshow 'God's Jukebox' and chosen for his end of year highlights of 2008 shows.
The follow up CD 'Double Shot' (Info and order here) recorded in Dortmund and Derby UK and released in November 2008 cemented their reputation as supreme swamp meisters of the Cajun groove!
The CD 'okra and a pepper' released in march 2011 with the new member Hazel Scott on vocals and guitar.
In Nov 2011 the CD 'Cajun Roosters & friends: songs of death, divorce , drinking and dancing' was released. 14 songs recorded with the Cajun Roosters and musical friends from Louisiana like Cedric Watson, Corey Ledet, Lafayette Rhythm Devils, Sarah Savoy, Dwayne Dopsie, Yvette Landry and Steve Riley.
Some indication of the reputation of the band is reflected in the many awards which have come their way since they formed
AWARDS
The Band received several awards 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 at the European Cajun & Zydeco Awards' in Raamsdonksveer/NL:
2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006: Best European Cajun Band four consecutive years!
2009: Chris Hall: Best European Zydeco Accordion player
2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006: Chris Hall: Best European Cajun Accordion player four consecutive years!
2009 and 2008: Hartmut Hegewald 1st runner up best cajun fiddle player
2009: Sam Murray: 1st runner up 'Best European Scrubboardplayer'
2008: CD "From the Swamps and Bayous of Louisiana" : 1st runner up best European Cajun CD
2006: CD "Crank it up": Best European Cajun CD
CFMA Awards in Lafayette Louisiana (the “Cajun grammys”):
2009: CD "Double Shot" 1st runner up and 'Best Cajun CD from outside Louisiana'
2009: CD "From the swamps and bayous of Louisiana" 2nd runner up and 'second best Cajun CD from outside Louisiana'
(NB the only time in CFMA history a band has taken both these places for this award) Infos here
2007: CD "Crank it up" 1st runner up and 'Best Cajun CD from outside Louisiana' Infos here
PRESSQUOTES
Trowbridge Festival UK, 2009
"If you're looking for Cajun / Zydeco then look no further than Cajun
Roosters - we booked them because they're the best in the business - we
love 'em"
Christine Briars, Festival Director, Trowbridge Village Pump Festival
Neu-Ulmer Zeitung, Ulmer Zelt, 05/2009
Cajun Roosters fans response was overwhelming.... great feedback from 400 people at Ulmer Zelt, the Cajun Roosters are masters of their trade…
bluerhythm magazine 01/2009 :
...templates from the old testament of cajun, blues from the legendary Excello label, stomping zydeco and a honky-tonk in 50’s style.... with their well chosen classics and own repertoire this five piece band delivers a great swamp sound…
bluesnews 04/2009 :
...the Cajun Roosters perform their very authentic mix of cajun with a side order of zydeco, swamp pop and swamp blues, and the listener feels as if they are in a dance club in Louisiana…
Larry Miller, Chairman CFMA, Prix Dehors de Nous Category, Lafayette / Louisiana, 2009
Congratulations, The Cajun Roosters have won First Runner-up for the CD "Double Shot" and in addition your CD Cajun Roosters3 "from the swamps & bayous of Louisiana" has won the Second Runner-up in the Prix D'Hors de Nous category of the famous Cajun music awards, "Le Cajun". That is the first time in our history that a band has placed with two CD's in the same year!
FESTIVALS
- Nottingham Riverside Festival (UK)
- Festival Cajun & Zydeco, Pontchartrain (F)
- Cajun & Zydeco festival, Saulieu (F)
- Cajun & Zydeco festival, Opwijk (B)
- Cajun & Zydeco festival, München (D)
- Cajun & Zydeco festival, Ravensburg (D)
- Cajun & Zydeco festival, Soest (D)
- Cajun & Zydeco festival, Baasem (D)
- Gloucester Cajun & Zydeco Festival (GB)
- Bristol Cajun & Zydeco Festival (GB)
- Cajun & Zydecofestival, Raamsdonksveer (NL)
- Zydeco at Sea Festival, Ameland (NL)
- Louisiana Ball, Hainichen (D)
- Burghausen Jazz festival (D)
- Bietigheim Jazz festival (D)
- Lichtensteig Jazz festival (CH)
- Breda Jazz festival (NL)
- Gronau Jazz Festival (D)
- Füssen Jazz festival (D)
- Kempten Jazz festival (D)
- Ulmer Zelt (D)
- Bremen Maritim Festival (D)
- Skagen Folkfestival (DK)
- Broadstairs Folk Festival (GB)
- Piacenza Folk festival (I)
- Trowbridge Village Pump Folk Festival (GB)
- Tollwood Winter Festival, München (D)
- Tollwood Summer Festival, München (D)
- Festival du Culture (LUX)
- Donauinsel Festival, Vienna (A)
The band plays music from the Louisiana swamps and prairies north west of New Orleans. One of the last great undiscovered musics of the modern world. It is a music which instantly grabs an audience and infuses them with a feeling of bonhomie and good times. Instant happiness as the fiddle and accordion weave their magic spell over unsuspecting audiences. Cajun and Zydeco is the main course mixed with a healthy side order of bayou blues and swamped up rock n roll. Their inspiration comes from players like Nathan Abshire, The Balfa Brothers, Johnnie Allan, Balfa Toujours, John Delafose, Zydeco Force, Iry Lejeune, Boozoo Chavis, Steve Riley, Canray Fontenot, Slim Harpo, and Amadee Ardoin. They play with energy, intensity and passion, infusing life into old standards and new compositions. It is broadly speaking Cajun and Zydeco with a modern edge played with attitude but with a deep heartfelt respect for the old masters of the tradition. Every gig is a celebration of the richness of a Louisiana musical culture that all the members of this band love and understand. Every gig is non stop Louisiana party. Laissez les bon rouler as they say in Louisiana. Let the good times roll
Cajun Roosters - Bandbio download here
CAJUN ROOSTERS 3
Their side project Cajun Roosters3 is a traditional back porch Cajun/Creole trio (infos here). They released a CD “From the swamps and bayous of Louisiana” (Order here) at the start of 2008 that won awards at the CFMA and European Cajun Awards. It’s a stripped down sound featuring accordion / twin fiddles / guitar / vocals / and percussion but still has that driving cajun groove. Ideal for smaller venues and festivals and more intimate concert gigs. They have played several major venues and festivals including a 25 date non stop tour of Germany to mostly sold out venues.
Cajun Roosters3 - Bandbio download here
THE MUSICIANS
(Cajun and Zydeco accordion, vocals, fiddle, scrubboard, triangle)
Since the 70's Louisiana accordion boss man Chris Hall, living in Derby/UK, has become widely known through his work with R.Cajun & the Zydeco Brothers, The Bearcats, Zydecomotion and US/UK band Breaux. His reputation is such that he was called on by ex Rolling Stone Bill Wyman to play on his album and was also part of the band put together by ex Beatle Sir Paul McCartney to record his "Run Devil Run" album. He was also called in by Kate Bush to contribute to her last album. His company Swampmusic is responsible for many tours and concerts of Louisiana artists in Europe and through its work he has spent many hours on the road with guys like Steve Riley, John Delafose, Randy Vidrine, Mitch Reed, Geno Delafose, Sean Ardoin, and Sean Vidrine absorbing their DNA through musical osmosis. He has a huge knowledge of C/Z which he put to good use on his own radio series on BBC Radio 2 and has been playing the music for almost 30 years with bands in Europe and with fellow musicians from Louisiana. With the Cajun Roosters he fronts a powerhouse band on vocals, Cajun accordion, triple row Zydeco accordion and occasional fiddle, all learnt from the masters at first hand.
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(fiddle, scrubboard, vocals)
A fine, award winning, musician, he has a rare and uncanny ability to really get to grips with the subtlety of the Cajun style and capture the elusive Louisiana feel. He has studied the masters with great passion and has emerged as one of the few players outside Louisiana who really understand how to get the real Cajun sound. The fiddle is an essential part of Cajun music playing complex rhythms and soaring solos. He locks into a groove with the accordion that forms the driving front end of The Roosters sound. On Zydeco numbers he plays the scrubboard which he learnt first hand from the great Joe Chavis from Lawtell Louisiana. He is an internationally known master guitar maker, building custom acoustic guitars, mandolins and even ukuleles. |
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(vocals, guitar)
Hazel Scott’s rhythm guitar, although learnt first hand from the Louisiana masters like Randy Vidrine, has developed into her own style which is both powerful and driving. But its her vocals that make her a world class addition to the Rooster sound. Described by highly respected musicians in Louisiana as “awesome” “right on the money” and “the business” she has rapidly gained a reputation as one of the most authentic Cajun vocalists around. And since Cajun music is her first love she’s undeniably in the right place up on stage with The Cajun Roosters. With the addition of Hazel Scott the band have a new secret weapon that will help raise the bar for Cajun bands this side of the Atlantic. |
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(bass)
Has known the Louisiana Cajun scene for many years. During the 80's he went to Louisiana for the first time to do an interview with legendary Cajun fiddler Dewey Balfa and other Cajun musicians for a documentary film about the music. From that moment on he has been in love with the sounds of the swamp and has spent his time studying and playing the music of his heroes, writing articles on the music for national press, running his own Cajun record label, and organising the well known German International Cajun and Zydeco festival. As a documentary film maker and TV director of many legendary music shows he has been around many kinds of music all his life. Yet one thing has remained constant, his love and passion for Cajun and Zydeco. He plays bass with drive and soul and switches to acoustic guitar on some songs for a more back porch feel. |
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(drums, scrubboard, vocals, triangle)
He is one of the finest Cajun and Zydeco drummers this side of the Atlantic who has played in many bands of this genre and is the first choice for visiting US musicians. The great Marc Savoy was overheard to say when watching him play in London “I wish we had more guys like him in Louisiana” He has toured in the bands of many of the great Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco players, like Steve Riley, Balfa Toujours, Willis Prudhomme, Sheryl Cormier, and Sean Vidrine and is the regular drummer with UK Cajun band The Bearcats. Formerly a UK resident and now living in Holland he is a long-time musical collaborator with Chris Hall and gives the Roosters the most solid backbeat this side of Lafayette. He also plays a mean scrubboard and triangle and has even been known to play bass and guitar in Cajun and Zydeco bands. |
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| Pressphotos download here |
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