The Jambalaya Cajun Band Joyeux Noel (CD)

The Jambalaya Cajun Band

The Jambalaya Cajun Band respects and retains the tradition of Cajun music while having developed a contemporary style popular with Cajun music fans. The band has released two previously successful albums, "Le Nouvel Esprit de la Musique Cadien", (Swallow 6075) in 1988, and "C'est Fun!", (Swallow 6085) in 1990. These two albums feature old and new songs and great instrumentals presented with the same great talent you find on this, their third album. The Jambalaya Cajun Band won 2nd place in the "Musician du Bar con-test at Acadian Village, Lafayette, Louisiana in 1984 and was named "Up and Coming Band" by The Times of Acadiana Music Poll, Lafayette, in 1988.
Terry Huval, the band leader, is a multi-talented musician who has worked long to perfect a distinctive sound. He was named "Up and Coming Musi-cian" in The Times of Acadiana Music Poll in 1988. Owing to his success, he has attracted excellent musicians. Although they are all young, they are not newcomers to the Cajun music scene. Reggie Matte, "accordionist extraordinaire", formerly with the Church Point Playboys, has been playing professionally since the age of thirteen. He won first place in a number of accordion contests throughout South Louisiana. As a matter of fact, the 1978 Cajun Day Festival in Church Point, Louisiana was dedicated in his honor. He was nominated for a "Le Cajun" music award in 1991 for "Male Vocalist of the Year" and for "Song of the Year" by the Cajun French Music Association of Louisiana, for his song "Gone, Gone, Gone". Tony Huval, Terry's brother, a superb drum-
mer and a member of the original Jambalaya Band, has been playing since the age of sixteen. He was recognized as the "Best Cajun Drummer" by The Times of Acadiana Music Poll in 1988 and 1990. Kenneth David, an outstanding bass guitarist and all-around musician has been performing professionally for twenty-three years. He is a former member of the Church Point Playboys and also worked with legendary accordionist, Ambrose Thibodeaux. Bobby Dumatrait, an astounding guitarist, was recognized as the "Best Cajun Guitarist" by The Times of Acadiana Music Poll in 1989. He started playing professionally at the age of eighteen. The merging of all this seasoned talent has produced an outstanding sound. Presented as instrumentals on this album are new renditions of old songs, waltzes and two-steps. The use of twin fiddles and acoustical guitar leads on "The Big Boy Waltz" and "Chere Mom", the twin fiddles, guitar lead and dobro on "J'ai Passe Decant to Porte", are all beautifully executed. Terry Huval's triple fiddles on "La Valse de Grand Bois" are majestic. Bobby Dumatrait's acoustic guitar introduction to "La Chanson de Mardi Gras", along with Reggie Matte's accordion lead is a totally new approach to this old standard. The combination of the dynamic, professional styles of Tony Huval's percussions and Kenneth David's bass guitar masterfully accent the almost intoxicating execution of Reggie's accordion licks on the "Hathaway Two-Step". These are less than half of the great instrumental selections on this album. The innovative Jambalaya Cajun Band brings new life and vitality to this superb collection of classic Cajun music.