Zydeco-a-Go-Go

About

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 Jimmy Pritchard, a skillful and intuitive player who has toured and recorded with many well-known blues artists, including SONNY RHODES, BIG JACK JOHNSON and MIKEY JUNIOR.
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 Fest, Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA
Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Fest, Latrobe PA
Swamp Romp @Fraze Pavilion, Dayton OH
First Nights: Binghamton NY, Montclair NJ
Moodus CT Cajun/Zydeco Festival
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
Centenary College, Hackettstown NJ
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...

Personnel

Pete Eshelman: Accordian, Piano, Vocals
Carl CC Crabtree: Sax, Rubboard, Vocals
Bob Holden: Drums, Vocals
Billy Baltera: Electric Guitar
Jimmy Pritchard: Electric Bass Guitar
Pamela Eshelman: Rubboard & Vocals, Special Guest On-Request

Influences

Clifton Chenier, Boozoo Chavis, John Delafose, Beau Jocque, Nathan Williams, Keith Frank, Curley Taylor, Thomas "Big Hat" Fields, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Stax/Volt, Motown, Hank Williams, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Little Feat, Marvin Gaye, Flaco Jimenez, Bob Marley...

What to Expect

Cajun 2-steps and Creole Zydeco blend with funky New Orleans rhythm & blues into a spicy gumbo, gar-on-teed gonna get everybody out on the dancefloor all night long.

And whether they're playing a large festival or a smalltown fair, a performing arts center or a block party, a bowling alley or a swanky fundraiser gala, a back-yard BBQ or one of those non-stop everybody’s-up-and-dancin’ wedding receptions: you know it's gonna be a wild and swingin' bayou boogaloo pitch-a-wang-dang-doodle-all-night-long zydeco dance party...with everybody singing "Let The Good Times Roll!"

Set/Song/Sequence List:
Hot Tamale Baby
Bon Ton Roulé
Dance All Night
Jalapena Lena
Down By The Bayou
Jambalaya
Motordude Special
Mamou Two Step
Morning Train
Goin' To The Rock & Bowl
Marina
Reno Waltz
Allons a Lafayette
Zydeco Groove
Since I Met You Baby
You Ain’t Nothin’ But Fine, Fine, Fine
Jolie Blon
Let The Good Times Roll
Zydeco Sont Pas Salé
I'm Leavin It All Up To You
Uncle Bud
Tu Les Ton Son Ton
Pine Point Trail Ride
Gimme Cornbread
Les Flammes D’Enfer
Ma ‘Tite Fille Est Gone
J’ai Passe Devant Ta Porte
Goin’ Back To Big Mamou
This Joint Is Jumpin’
Caledonia
Country Girl
Big Chief
In The Night
Iko Iko
Walking To New Orleans
Pitch A Wang Dang Doodle
See Ya Later Alligator
What’d I Say
Barefootin’
Land Of 1000 Dances
La Bamba
WoolyBully
Nunca Se Acaba
Cumbia del Amor
and lots more...

CDs For Sale

Let The Good Times Roll

View Complete Calendar

http://www.zydecoagogo.com

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Party, Birthday Party, Casino, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Dinner Dance, Festival, Fundraiser, Private Party, Prom, Restaurant, Sporting Event, Wedding Reception

Here are testimonials Zydeco-a-Go-Go has chosen to post.