Spice'n up the Southwest, Lousiana Style!
  Toe tappin', foot stompin', and heart thumpin' - the Bayou Brothers play absolutely feel good music. We first experienced one of their shows a few years back at the Julian Blues Bash, up in the San Diego mountains. Before the end of their first song, we were out on that dance floor with everybody else and their brother! Though we were up in the mountains, I could have sworn we were kickin' up our heels next to some 'gators in Cajun country somewhere.
  Bluesiana: The Bayou Brothers have added their own signature spice to the traditional Cajun and Zydeco music styles by dubbing their music 'Bluesiana'. Featuring the complete sound of Louisiana that originates from the area's bayous and swamplands, 'Bluesiana' has the familiar backbone of traditional Americana music, and offers the country flavors of Cajun music, the upbeat rhythms of Zydeco, the cool echoes of the blues, and just a splash of jazz that whips it all together. The band is influenced by the old masters such as Boozoo Chavis, Clifton Chenier Sr., Buckwheat Zydeco and Rockin’ Sydney just to name a few. In fact, they did get the opportunity to meet and play with Boozop Chavis.
  The Journey: To date, the Bayou Brothers are one of the few bands in the Southwest that excel with this purely American art form, and we've been lucky enough to see a number of their shows and follow their career. A San Diego based band, the Bayou Brothers was originally started as a labor of love back in 1996, and as a side project by founding members - Ric Lee (drums and percussion); John Chambers (keys, accordion, vocals, and songwriter), and Tim Cash (bass, guitar, lead vocals and songwriter). Besides touring various parts of the country on their own musical journeys, the three are highly talented musicians and veterans of the San Diego and Southern California music circuit, and have played in numerous R&B, blues, and country bands. In fact they often played together in some of the same groups, or met up at jam sessions. Through it all, they noticed the lack of Cajun and Zydeco music within the local music scene. With the combination of each others musical talents and a strong  passion for American roots music, their little side project called 'The Bayou Brothers' quickly turned into a main gig for them and they were off and performing all over Southern California and parts of Arizona at Mardi Gras festivals and parades, street fairs and music festivals, community and performing arts concert series, schools and museum programs, bars and nightclubs - you name it, they've played it. 
To see the band in action, click here.
Here is a video clip of The Bayou Brothers at The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach,

  Meet the whole band: Joining Ric, John, and Tim, the Bayou Brothers band has a few more brothers, and sisters. Recently moving back to San Diego from Chicago, the newest member is saxman Walter Gentry, who has performed all over 'The Big Easy' and even toured the world with Mem Shannon. Walter brings the 'New Orleans' sound to the band and plays tenor, alto, and soprano sax, and flute. Adding just the right dose of blues and a little jazz to the band, bassist Roger Daschle has been adding the groove to Ric's steady rhythms for the past four years. Roger performs with them on electric and stand-up bass. String maestro Paul Castellanos adds Cajun flavor to the Bayou Brothers, playing fiddle, banjo, and guitar. Paul has has performed all over the country and Europe, and also plays the piano, mandolin and bass. Michele Lundeen, the award-winning vocalist aptly dubbed as 'The Queen of Steam', has been belting it out with the band for a number of years. Dressed in full regalia, this soulful sister often them as 'Madame Le Roux'. Occasionally, Ric's daughter Jessica Stulls will join them on rubboard; and Ric's wife Karen is always there with Mardi Gras beads, and with her love and support as 'Band Mom'. Last but not least, the Bayou Brothers even has their own chef in their band family. Chef Joann Stapp, an avid fan of Cajun and Zydeco music, often caters their various shows, serving up traditional Louisiana fare like seafood gumbo, red beans and rice, bread pudding or sweet potato pie!
 

With a passionate and heartfelt respect for Cajun and Zydeco music, the Bayou Brothers continue to keep the traditional music of Louisiana alive by entertaining audiences all over the Southland - and boy do they love to see everyone up on the dance floor! Check out their show schedule - www.bayoubrothers.net