Z-Funk is arguably Europe’s premier zydeco band. No other band this side of the Atlantic has managed so successfully to purvey the deep grooves and electric energy of this infectious accordion-led dance music native to South-West Louisiana. The individual members have extraordinary pedigrees in the world of roots music, and are in regular demand for appearances with visiting Louisiana zydeco stars.
The roots of Z-Funk can be traced back to the late 80s, when the burgeoning UK Cajun & Zydeco scene began to flourish in response to the new wave of cutting edge acts springing up in south-west Louisiana.
Gavin Lewery (accordion/vocals) and Tommy Mills (bass/vocals) recruited Sue Warren (scrubboard/vocals), Mark ‘Chilli’ Watkin (guitar/vocals) and Mickey Jones (drums/vocals) in a collective they named Zydeco Active, and quickly established themselves as frontrunners in the Zydeco genre and a popular attraction on the European Festival circuit.
After the sad passing of guitarist Chilli in 2000, the band regrouped as Z-FUNK, taking the music in new adventurous directions which weren’t always popular with Zydeco purists. However, they returned to their roots when Harold Guillory (of Lake Charles Louisiana-based Chris Ardoin & Double Clutchin’) toured the UK and Europe with them in 2004, and wowed audiences with their funky dance grooves, stellar musicianship and energetic stage show.
In 2008 Z-Funk are stronger than ever with the line-up now comprising of Gavin, Tommy, Dave Luke (guitar/vocals), Sioned Camlin (scrubboard/vocals) and Andy Watson (drums/vocals).
