"Hurricane" Bill Rosas - Akordyown, Pi'ano, Singin' "Kenny E" Errant - Gi'tar, Singin' Jon "Sleepin Jesus" Richter - String thumpin' Matt "Lunchbox" Daly - Bangin' on drums "Zydeco" Joe Sonnefeldt - Fra'tois, Congas, Noize makers Matt "Wif" Wifler - Lil' Saxomaphone Chris "Brez" Brennan - Bigger Saxomaphone Eric "Le Lip" Aucoin - Valve Bugle
Influences
Dr. John, Neville Brothers, Funky Meters, Chubby Carrier, Edgar Winter, Terrence Simien, Bobby Rush, Little Feet, Radiators, and so on...
Sounds Like
Gathering together some of the area's finest musical talent, and drawing on Louisiana’s rich musical culture, Hurricane Gumbo delivers a raucous combination of foot-stompin’ Zydeco (a synthesis of Cajun and hard-driving blues) and deeply rhythmic New Orleans funk, along with a spicy pinch of all-time Mardi Gras favorites that has had audiences dancing on the tables and screaming for encore after encore.
An eight-piece, Chicago-based band that combines zydeco, rhythm & blues, jazz and funk to produce a sound that can only be called one thing – Louisiana party music.
"Hurricane" Bill, an energetic "Mexi-Cajun" born in the steamy swamps of Louisiana's Bayou country, leads the band with his fiery vocals and rockin' accordion. Hurricane Gumbo's smokin' rhythm section consists of "Sleepin' Jesus" on bass, the "Lunchbox" on drums, "Kenny-E" on guitar, and "Zydeco" Joe on rubboard, conga drums and percussion. Finally, the Hurricane Horns – a.k.a. "Wif" on alto sax, "Brez" on tenor sax and "Le Lip" on trumpet. Tight riffs and tasty harmonies thrown in the pot and Hurricane Gumbo becomes one of the tastiest Louisiana-style bands north of the Crescent City.
Since 1994, Hurricane Gumbo has entertained at major music fests from New Orleans to Milwaukee, plus all points in between. Presently based in the Chicago area, the band has played to packed venues throughout the Midwest----and there’s nothing more authentic North of Lafayette, LA. The band has released three CD albums (with a fourth in the works) and has performed numerous live television and radio appearances...including the House of Blues, Taste of Chicago, Rock Island's Gumbo Ya Ya festival and Summerfest sharing the stage with New Orleans artists Dr. John, the Iguanas and Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band.
With Hurricane Gumbo, the party never stops. That is why, one reviewer calls it “without a doubt, one of the best and liveliest party-bands anywhere”… because with Hurricane Gumbo, it’s All Mardi Gras, All of the time. Leave your underwear at home.
