Chris Hall: accordion, 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 bands in Europe which has put them in the forefront of the scene and is already earning them headline appearances not only in Germany but also in France, Holland, UK, Luxembourg, and Belgium. 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 Pioneers were led by Luitger Fräger who was tragically lost in a car accident. To honour his name the band decided to continue the work he had started and The CAJUN ROOSTERS were born.

 

The CAJUN ROOSTERS are playing music from the Louisiana swamps and prairies north west of New Orleans. Pure Louisiana dance music, Cajun and Zydeco is the main course mixed with a healthy side order of Louisiana blues and swamped up rock n roll.

 

The CAJUN ROOSTERS first CD 'Crank it up' is available now! Down home, dirty, and dangerous Cajun & Zydeco recorded with passion to honour the Louisiana Masters. In 2006 the band plays major festival all over Europe where they will showcase the songs that reflect their love of this music. In the 2006 European Cajun and Zydeco awards The Cajun Roosters were awarded 1st prize as best Cajun Band amongst 58 bands by internet vote and awarded 1st prize for their album "Crank it Up" which was voted best Cajun album by an independent panel of four judges from four European countries.

 

Band Members

 

Chris Hall (cajun accordion, vocals)

Since the 70s Louisiana accordion bossman 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. 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 commiitted to creating a sound that captures the heart, intensity and passion 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 master guitar maker, building custom acoustic guitars and mandolins.

 

Michael Bentele (bass)

Has known the Louisiana Cajun scene for a long time. 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. He takes care of the business of the band and does so with awesome efficiency.

 

Klauss Warler (guitars)

A perfectionist who studies hard to get 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 Flatville Aces and 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 the most solid backbeat this side of the Lafayette.

 

More information here http://www.cajunweb.de/en/cr/bandneu.htm