Teresa Russell - Guitar and Vocals
Teresa brings a percussive and melodic guitar style to Acadiana's cajun/zydeco sound. Her vocals are sassy, bluesy, rockin' and somtimes a little country. She has been writing and performing around the world since age 10. Teresa is the only woman ever to win the west region finals in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's National Lead Guitar Competition. But, we are mostly impressed with the fact that she can play her guitar with her teeth. You can also catch her rockin' all over with her popular power blues/rock trio, Teresa Russell & Cocobilli. Learn more about Teresa by visiting www.teresarussell.com.
Doug Lagacy - Accordion and Vocals
As one of the founding members of the Zydeco Party Band, Doug has spent a lifetime writing and making music. Just some of the folks he has performed with are Oingo Boingo, Todd Rundgren, and Paul McCartney. Doug has a huge soulful voice bringing a gutsy blues and R& B flavor to the zydeco sound of Acadiana.
Phil Salazar - Fiddle and Vocals
Sure, he could play Mozart symphonies. Beethoven even. But you got to have more than the classics when you are Fiddlin' Phil Salazar! Fiddle champion Phil Salazar is Acadiana's playful spirit. He plays his fiddle forwards, backwards, and all around the room. Phil is a fiddle favorite and has been sought out from all over by many fiddle students for his unique style of teaching. Phil does lots of studio work, performs with lots of musicians and has done a lot of playing over the years with the John McEuen Band.
He's hot! And he adds that heat to Acadiana!
Rick Borella - Bass Guitar
Rick is rock solid as a bass player. He is the throbbing pulse behind Acadiana's infectious grooves. Rick has laid down the beat for other popular bands such as the Acousticats, the Phil Salazar band, the Lonesome Tumbleweeds and many others. He has a wonderful easy going and humble attitude and has been a pleasure to work with in this band for so many years. He is the back bone of Acadiana.
John Koutzoukis - Drums and Vocals
Johnny is one of Acadiana's first members. As a lover of cajun and zydeco music, Johnny feverishly studied the melodies and vocal styles of the cajun songs. He has also paid particular attention to the driving zydeco drum grooves behind the Boozoo Chavis and Beausoleil style zydeco beats. His steady pulse keeps the band groovin' and the fans dancin'.
Russell Ardoin - Rubboard and backup vocals
Russell's musical roots go back to his childhood home in the bayou county of southwest Louisiana. The legendary Amad'ee Ardoin was his great uncle. His father is Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin. Russell grew up playing bass and drums in the family band and took up playing the rubboard when he came to California in 1989. Some highlights were playing Carnegie Hall and the Smithsonian. In recent years he's played the western states with Gatorbeat and New Orleans Square at Disneyland with Lisa Haley. Presently Russell is playing with Acadiana and in his words says: "Acadiana is very special to me. It is a privilege to be a link in the chain connecting the past to the present and future of my Creole culture through this music." Russell is pure groovin' Creole energy on the stage.
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