Dege Legg

BeauSoleil plays DTA tonight

by Dege Legg

The Grammy winning bad boys of BeauSoleil with Michael Doucet along with Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas play the second to last show of the Downtown Alive season at Parc International. Since forming in 1975, Grammy winners BeauSoleil have claimed their undisputed role as the most esteemed Cajun group in music – and are one of the leading forces in its preservation and growth. Described as “Evolutionary Cajun,” BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet takes the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana and genetically splices elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues and more. Do not try this at home...unless you’ve got a lab coat and a record collection worthy of this highly artistic blend. BeauSoleil performs what is essentially traditional fiddle and accordion-oriented Cajun music with a contemporary, lively feel. When performed in open air venues, their music is rumored to magically levitate inanimate objects. Performers are Michael Doucet, violin, guitar, accordion, mandolin and vocals; David Doucet, guitar and vocals; Jimmy Breaux, accordion; Billy Ware, percussion; Tommy Alesi, drums; Mitch Reed, bass, fiddle, banjo and electric guitar.

Also on the bill tonight are Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas. This family band, led by Nathan Williams, grew up in a Creole-speaking home and now entertains audiences with upbeat, accordion-based dance music with groove as deep as a water well. The band’s down-home parables are delivered with surprising musical turns and a distinctive Caribbean lilt that reaches back to the very beginnings of Creole culture in Louisiana as well to the arcane beginnings of mankind. The band members are Nathan Williams, accordion; Dennis Williams, guitar; Mark Williams, rub board; James Prejean, bass; and Herman Brown, drums.

Downtown Alive starts at 6:00 p.m. at Parc International.