Talent Overview

About Zydeco-a-Go-Go

Let's party like they do down in New Orleans! "Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulers!" or "Let The Good Times Roll!" with Zydeco-a-Go-Go, the Mid-Atlantic's #1 Zydeco Band. Creole Zydeco and Cajun 2-steps combine with funky New Orleans rhythm & blues and vintage Louisiana Rock & Roll into a spicy gumbo of irresistible dance music---and whether they're playing a smalltown fair or a big regional festival, a performing arts center or a college dance concert, a church carnival or a swanky fundraiser gala, a backyard BBQ or one of those non-stop everybody's-up-and-dancin' wedding receptions, you know it's gonna be a wild & swingin' pitch-a-wang-dang-doodle-all-night-long ZYDECO DANCE PARTY!

Biography:

At the heart of any Zydeco-A-Go-Go song is the classic zydeco sound of accordion and frattoir (rubboard) augmented by saxophone, electric guitar, electric bass and drums. Their performances feature lyrics sung in English, Spanish, Cajun and Creole French, set to a beat that keeps people dancing all night long.

Although based in Philadelphia, the group has garnered praise for its authentic Louisiana sound. When playing a gig at the legendary Rock & Bowl in New Orleans, they kept the crowded dance-floor busy, with lots of smiling faces everywhere. KBON, a popular radio station in Eunice, Louisiana (the heart of Cajun/Creole country) put the group's debut CD into its daily rotation. Music from that cd was used in the soundtrack for ABC News “Earth Day 2000” that was broadcast worldwide during a segment documenting the effect of global warming in Louisiana. Their latest CD "Let The Good Times Roll" has received rave reviews and is being played on radio stations across the US and in Europe.

Founded in 1992, the all-star group boasts colorful personnel with decades of experience: bandleader Pete Gumbo, on accordion, piano, and vocals, was a founding member of underground cult legends PHILLY GUMBO, backed Jamaican toaster BIG YOUTH, Nigerian Afro-Pop recording sensations THE LIJADU SISTERS, and has played piano with such artists as SLEEPY LaBEEF, BO DIDDLEY, and New Orleans’ own CHARLES “HONEYBOY” OTIS. Guitarist Billy Baltera studied music at Boston’s Berklee School Of Music. He’s gone on to become a seasoned pro, having recorded and toured the USA and overseas for many years with Texas blues icon SONNY RHODES, soul shouter FRANKIE LEE, and Delta bluesman LONNIE SHIELDS.
Saxophonist Carl “CC” Crabtree cut his teeth in Atlanta touring the South with novelty rock & roll prankster DARRYL RHODES, but is well-known in his hometown (Philly) having worked with many of the area’s top blues, jazz, R&B and party rock bands, including GROVER WASHINGTON JR., THE BEN VAUGHN COMBO and rhythm & blues big band THE DUKES OF DESTINY. You’ll hear CC scratching on the rubboard for Zydeco, then on New Orleans R&B or jump-blues numbers he’ll be honking and wailing on tenor sax.
Drummer Bob Holden, a founding member of THE DUKES, has backed local rock heroes like ROBERT HAZARD and QUINCY as well as national recording artists such as soul-singer TERRY EVANS and roots-blues legend OTIS RUSH. Bob got his start in music as a teenager drumming behind James Brown impersonator LEON & THE WORKOUTS.
On bass guitar is Lenny Fatigati, a skillful and intuitive player who has worked with many of Philly’s cutting-edge blues, jazz and funk musicians. Lenny honed his chops in the Midwest playing juke joints and county fairs with various rock, blues and jazz bands.
Rounding out the group nicely is special-guest on-request Pamela Eshelman on rubboard and vocals.... she brings to the band a sweet & soulful voice, a swinging sense of rhythm and contagious onstage enthusiasm.

FESTIVALS
Bethlehem Musikfest
Philadelphia Folk Festival
Mellon Jazz Festival, Philadelphia PA
Anglesea Blues BBQ Festival, Wildwood NJ
Poconos Garlic Festival, Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA
First Nights: Binghamton NY, Montclair NJ, Doylestown PA
Great Connecticut Cajun/Zydeco Festival, Moodus CT
Snapbean Cajun/Zydeco Festival, Escoheag RI
Mardi Gras Madness, West Palm Beach FL...

COLLEGES
Piedmont Virginia Community College, Charlottesville VA
Penn State University, State College PA
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore PA
Dickinson College, Carlisle PA
University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
Tyler School Of Art, Temple U. Elkins Park PA...

FUNDRAISERS
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
New Orleans Musicians Clinic
Bucks-Mont Katrina Project
American Diabetes Association
American Red Cross
Special Olympics...

PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS
Kimmel Center, Philadelphia PA
Philadelphia Museum Of Art
Community Life Center, Niceville FL
Randolph County Community Arts Center, Elkins WV
Smyrna Opera House, Smyrna DE...

MUSIC NIGHTCLUBS
World Cafe Live, Philadelphia PA
Mermaid Inn, Philadelphia PA
Electric Factory, Philadelphia PA
Rock 'n' Bowl, New Orleans LA...

Act Members:

Pete Eshelman — Accordian, Piano, Vocals

Carl CC Crabtree — Sax, Rubboard, Vocals

Bob Holden — Drums, Vocals

Billy Baltera — Electric Guitar

Lenny Fatigati — Bass Guitar

Pamela Eshelman — Special Guest On-Request, Rubboard & Vocals

More Information:

Gig Salad Address: GigSalad.com/zydeco-a-go-go

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Zydeco-a-Go-Go is listed in the following categories:

Zydeco Band in Philadelphia

Accordion Player in Philadelphia

Cajun Band in Philadelphia

Funk Band in Philadelphia

New Orleans Style Entertainment in Philadelphia

Party Band in Philadelphia

R&B Group in Philadelphia