The Funky Gators Zydeco Dance band is composed of Cajun/Zydeco and R&B veterans that have been playing in the Bay Area for over 30 years. They combine elements of funk, R&B Soul and Disco into the infectious, foot tapping sounds of Zydeco. The funky Gators know how to add fun to your event and keep the beat going to keep the dance floor filled. The Funky Gators are one of the few Zydeco bands that have the musical flexibility to play Zydeco, and also toss in Jazz, funk, New Orleans and old school R&B to meet your needs without missing a beat.
The core band is Accordion, Rubboard, Keyboards, Drums, Bass, Guitar. Additional musicians can be added as needed to fill out the sound.
9 reviews
Max S.
June 12, 2025The Funky Gators made our wedding reception perfect and kept people dancing for hours! Every member was extremely talented and the band has a tight sound and a great stage presence. They traveled all the way to LA to make our big day unforgettable. Everyone was friendly and easy to talk to and spent time chatting with guests and making everyone feel welcome in between sets and while on stage. They had their own sound system that sounded great and set up and broke down in a flash. Even the sound check had all the other vendors moving! Ahead of the event they were easy to get ahold of and responsive to communications promptly and made the whole process easy, giving us much-needed peace of mind while we were fretting over every other detail of the event. The Funky Gators would be perfect for any gig big or small and I'd venture to say they're probably one of the best Zydeco bands I've ever seen and I was a bartender on Bourbon Street for 2 years. If you get a chance to see them, don't miss it! And if you have an event that could use some fun, up-beat, extremely danceable accompaniment, you've found the perfect band!
Hired as: Cajun Band, Dance Band, Mardi Gras Entertainment, New Orleans Style Entertainment, Party Band, Wedding Band, Zydeco Band
Elisabeth S.
June 12, 2025The Funky Gators played at our wedding in Los Angeles in April, and they were incredible! They got everyone up and dancing immediately. Everyone - young and old - was on the dance floor. They sounded sooo good, even in a venue that was notorious for difficult acoustics (an old brick building with very high ceilings). They even had me on the washboard by the end of the night, and that was truly a pinnacle moment in my life - sooo fun!!! They were easy to work with, even when it came to coordinating travel, lodging, etc. Highly recommend!
Hired as: Cajun Band, Dance Band, Mardi Gras Entertainment, New Orleans Style Entertainment, Party Band, Wedding Band, Zydeco Band
Funky Gators
Elizabeth, It was a pleasure to play for you and Max. It was a beautiful event.
We look forward to playing at your 20th anniversary party!
Terri S.
February 11, 2025The Funky Gators were professional, prompt and very entertaining. We had them perform for a manager party, and they brought a lot of fun to the event.
Hired as: Zydeco Band
Funky Gators
Terri,
Thank you for the great review.
We never tire of hearing that type of feedback!
It was a pleasure to be part of your amazing Mardi Gras party!
Jordana B.
February 14, 2024The Funky Gators were so great! They made our Mardi Gras a big hit with the seniors at our assisted living community. We will have them come back!
Hired as: Mardi Gras Entertainment, New Orleans Style Entertainment, Party Band, Zydeco Band
Funky Gators
Jordana,
I'm so glad that the residents enjoyed the music!
Thank you for thinking of us for your Mardi Gras Event,
We would be happy to come back and play again!
Best Regards,
Dana
Forrest L.
March 5, 2023Great zydeco and other classics you can dance to. Band leader good at communicating, showed up early to set up, started on time. We would book them again for nearly any event.
Hired as: Dance Band, Party Band, Zydeco Band
Funky Gators
Thanks so much for the 5 star review!
We would be happy to come back and entertain you again at any time!
Price range: $1,200 - $4000
Languages: English, French
Gig length: 45 - 240 minutes
The Funky Gators Play Zydeco and other Louisiana and Mardi Gras style music for dancing and listening pleasure. The Funky Gators are experienced at playing all types of events and may have excellent recommendations to allow your event to be at it's best.
The Funky Gators are a group of professional musicians that will show up on time before the performance, properly dressed for the requirements of the event. The band understands your desire for engaging entertainment and work hard to make your event the best event ever!
All band members are responsible individuals that do not solicit, harass or knowingly annoy attendees at any event. You can expect a fun, professional, sober, performance free from drugs or other influence (except alcohol explicitly provided to the band by the client) The band can accommodate requests, special songs should be arranged before the performance.
The Funky Gators will provide the best possible entertainment for your event within reasonable bounds at a volume level suitable to your requirements. We want to make your event better by our performance!
Check out the audio and video clips and/or visit the funky Gator website for additional information.
Stage lighting available for an additional fee.
Stage plot available by request
The Funky Gators are not responsible for damage to any venue or performance area by patrons, or fans
Sunday
Christmas Party
6:00pm - 8:30pm
•
Santa Rosa, CA
Tuesday
Retirement Party
4:00pm - 4:45pm
•
Corte Madera, CA
Saturday
House Party
7:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Antioch, CA
Saturday
Birthday Party
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Davis, CA
Saturday
Dinner Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Monterey, CA
Friday
Graduation
6:30pm - 10:00pm
•
Mill Valley, CA
Friday
Fundraiser
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Los Altos, CA
Saturday
Corporate Event
12:00pm - 4:00pm
•
San Francisco, CA
Some of the songs we most commonly play are listed below.
Don't Mess with My Toot Toot - Rockin' Sidney
Mardi Gras Mambo -
Zydeco Boogaloo -
Bad, Bad Whisky - Amos Milburn
Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You -
Mardi Gras Second Line - Trad.
Turn On Your Love Light -
Saints Go marching in -
Going to New Orleans -
Don't You know that I love You - Morris Ladet
Deacon Jones - Boozoo Chavis
Uncle Bud - BooZoo Chavis
Can't Find Love - Rosie Ladet
Bernadette - Keith Frank
Comin' Home - Clifton Chenier
Waiting in Vain - Bob Marley
Proud Mary -
Jealous Man Two Step -
Heat Wave -
C C Rider - Trad.
They All asked for You - Meters
Walking the Dog - Rufus Thomas
Big Mamou -
Chain of Fools -
Used to call me - Trad.
Joy to The World - Three Dog Night
Come on Down - Funky Gators
Loup Garou (werewolf) Song - Funky Gators
BBQ Song - Funky Gators
Many more... - By request
Buckwheat Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, The Meters, Chubby Carrier, Rockin' Dopsie, Rockin' Sidney, BeauSoleil, Doug Kershaw, Queen Ida, Al Rapone, Zydeco Flames, Gator Beat, and more
15 amp, 110v grounded AC outlet
Protecion from rain or sun if playing outside.
Zydeco Band
