Zydeco-a-Go-Go

Creole Zydeco and Cajun 2-steps blend with funky New Orleans rhythm & blues into a spicy gumbo of irresistible Louisians dance music guaranteed going to keep the dancefloor smiling 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!

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 Bobby Michaels is one of Philadelphia's most in-demand musicians, also plays with The Soul Survivors, Bill Haley's Comets and The Stylistics, just to name a few.
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
Philadelphia Folk Festival
Mellon Jazz Festival, Philadelphia PA
Anglesea Blues BBQ Festival, Wildwood NJ
Appalacian Fiddle & Bluegrass Festival, Wind Gap PA
Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Fest, Latrobe PA
Swamp Romp @Fraze Pavilion, Dayton OH
First Nights: Binghamton NY, Montclair NJ
Bethlehem Musikfest
Moodus CT Cajun/Zydeco Festival
Snapbean Cajun/Zydeco Festival, Escoheag RI
Mardi Gras Madness, West Palm Beach FL...

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

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

PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS, Museums
Kimmel Center, Philadelphia PA
Philadelphia Museum Of Art
Prince Theater @Annenberg School of Communications, Phila. PA
Community Life Center, Niceville FL
Randolph County Community Arts Center, Elkins WV
Smyrna Opera House, Smyrna DE...

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