Chris Hall: accordion, fiddle, vocals
Hartmut Hegewald: fiddle, scrubboard, vocals
Klaus Warler: guitars
Michael Bentele: bass

Sam Murray: drums

 

The CAJUN ROOSTERS are a truly European band bringing together some of the finest Cajun and Zydeco musicians from the UK and Germany . They have rapidly gained a reputation as one of the most authentic Cajun and Zydeco bands in Europe which has put them in the forefront of the scene and is already earning them headline festival appearances not only in Germany but also in France, Netherlands, UK, Denmark, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Austria, and Belgium.

 

They are equally at home playing blues festivals, jazz festivals, folk roots festivals, country festivals and Cajun festivals as their varied repertoire gives them an unmatched ability to cross over to so many audiences. They have also carved out a reputation as one of the most popular bands on the outdoor city stage circuit entertaining audiences in city squares all over Europe many of whom have never heard Cajun or Zydeco music before.

 

The band emerged when Chris Hall, famed accordion player, and Sam Murray on drums, both from England were recruited to join the members of The Cajun Pioneers, a German band that had previously forged a new trail and helped to spread the word about this music throughout Germany. The Cajun Roosters chapter was begun as Chris Hall used his experience and knowledge of the music to reshape the band into a tighter, leaner and more authentic machine with a groove that is second to none outside Louisiana . The band plays music from the Louisiana swamps and prairies north west of New Orleans . Cajun and Zydeco as the main course mixed with a healthy side order of bayou blues and swamped up rock n roll .. Nathan Abshire, Balfa Brothers, John nie Allan, John Delafose, Iry Lejeune, Boozoo Chavis, Steve Riley , Canray Fontenot, Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester and Bois Sec Ardoin.

 

 

CD'S / AWARDS / GIGS

Their first CD 'Crank it up' received rave reviews and picked up many radio and TV appearances! Down home, dirty, and dangerous Cajun & Zydeco recorded with passion to honour the Louisiana Masters. A follow up CD "Double Shot" is scheduled for release August 2008 and this summer the band play major festival all over Europe , showcasing the songs that reflect their love of this music. The Band received several awards 2006, 2007 and 2008 at the European Cajun & Zydeco Awards' in Raamsdonksveer/NL based on internet voting and voting by the panel of international judges:

 

2006, 2007 and 2008: Best European Cajun Band three consecutive years!
2006, 2007 and 2008: Chris Hall: Best European Cajun accordion player three consecutive years!
2006: CD "Crank it up" : Best European Cajun CD
2008: CD "From the Swamps and Bayous of Louisiana" : 1st runner up best European Cajun CD
2008: Hartmut Hegewald 1st runner up best cajun fiddle player

 

2007: CFMA-Award in Lafayette/Louisiana:
CD "Crank it up" 1st runner up and 'Best Cajun CD from outside Louisiana '

 

FESTIVALS

Cajun & Zydecofestival,Saulieu (F) Cajun & Zydecofestival, Raamsdonksveer (NL)

Cajun & Zydecofestival, Opwijk (B) Hildesheim Jazzfestival (D)

Cajun & Zydecofestival, Soest & Baasem (D) Festival du Culture (LUX)

Bietigheim Jazzfestival (D) Donauinselfest, Wien (A)

Tollwood Festival, München (D) Burghausen Jazzfestival (D)

Gronau Jazzfestival (D) Broadstairs Folkfestival (GB)

Skagen Folkfestival (DK) Gloucester Cajun & Zydeco Festival (GB)

Lichtensteig Jazzfestival (CH) Breda Jazzfestival (NL)

Füssen Jazzfestival (D) Piacenza Folkfestival (I)

 

Cajun Roosters 3

 

Their side project Cajun Roosters3 is a traditional Cajun/Creole trio. They released a CD "From the swamps and bayous of Louisiana" at the start of 2008 which won 1st runner up in the 2008 European Cajun and Zydeco Awards. They have played several major venues and festivals already including a 23 date tour of Germany .

 

Band Members

 

Chris Hall (cajun accordion, fiddle, vocals)

 

Since the 70's Louisiana accordion boss man Chris Hall, living in Derby/UK, is known through his work with R.Cajun & the Zydeco Brothers, The Bearcats, Zydecomotion and Breaux. His reputation is such that he was called on by Bill Wyman to play on his album and was also part of the band put together by Sir Paul McCartney to record his "Run Devil Run" album. He was also called in by Kate Bush to contribute to her new album. His company Swampmusic is responsible for many tours and concerts of Louisiana artists in Europe . He has a huge knowledge of C/Z and has been playing the music for over 25 years. With the Cajun Roosters he fronts a new band that combines the talents of five musicians who are all committed to creating a sound that captures the heart, intensity and passion of the music of southwest Louisiana..

 

Hartmut Hegewald (fiddle, scrubboard, vocals)

He joined the band in its early days and soon found a new challenge in playing Cajun fiddle. A fine musician, he has a rare and uncanny ability to really get to grips with the subtlety of the style and capture the Cajun feel. He has studied the masters with great passion and in a short period of time has emerged as one of the few players outside Louisiana who really understand how to get the elusive Cajun sound. He also sings and plays scrubboard in The Roosters and when not playing with the band he follows his career as an internationally known maste guitar maker, building custom acoustic guitars and mandolins.

 

Michael Bentele (bass)

Has known the Louisiana Cajun scene for many years. During the 80's he went to Louisiana for the first time to do an interview with Dewey Balfa and other Cajun musicians for a documentary film about the music. From that moment on he has been in love with the music and has spent his time studying and playing the music of his heroes. As a documentary film maker and TV director of many music shows he has been around many kinds of music all his life. Yet one thing has remained constant, his love of Cajun and Zydeco music.

 

Klaus Warler (guitars)

A rhythm master who hits the right grooves and then lays down some blistering solos that take the band to new heights. He used to be into Rock music but playing a jam session one day he was fascinated by the complexities of this apparently simple music. He instantly knew that Cajun and Zydeco music was his new love and launched into it with a passion. He lays down the relentless grooves needed for Cajun and Zydeco but is equally at home playing a sensitive acoustic Cajun cameo piece. A truly versatile player

 

Sam Murray (drums)

He is one of the finest Cajun and Zydeco drummers this side of the Atlantic . He has toured in the bands of many of the great Louisiana players, like Steve Riley , Balfa Toujours, Willis Prudhomme, Sheryl Cormier , Sean Vidrine and is the regular drummer with The Bearcats. This man knows good Cajun and Zydeco and is the first call for visiting musicians looking for a good solid grooveman! He is a long-time musical collaborator with Chris Hall and gives the Roosters most solid backbeat this side of the Lafayette.

 

More information here http://www.cajunweb.de.