The Michael Foster Project
A Baton Rouge based brass band, covering multiple genres of music, Foster’s bandmates, many of them music teachers and band directors, got together at Southern. “We met at the department of music,” Foster says, “in the Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity.”
From Traditional Jazz to Latin, Pop to Hip-Hop, this group is Baton Rouge's longest running brass band since their beginnings in the late 90's. For almost 30 years, they have become a household name within the US and are well known and respected in several countries. Michael Foster’s work has earned recognition by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, as their Arts Ambassador, voted “Best New Brass Band” by OFFBEAT Magazine’s “Best of the Beat” awards, just to name a few. In addition, he has spent numerous years visiting school systems in the south to speak about the importance and traditions of Jazz music, as well as inspiring them to practice and keep the music alive. This group of top notch musicians have performed in just about every setting one can think of, from Mardi Gras Balls, Miss USA Pageants, music festivals in China, film festivals at Sundance and countless venues.
Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys
"Mr. Broussard and his cowboys are fabulous: You start moving in your seat as soon as their rhythmic, rich melodies, both joyous and mournful, flood the theater." - "New York Times"
Jeffery Broussard is well… the real deal!
Dedicated to preserving and promoting the Creole culture and traditional Zydeco music, Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys perform with passion, commitment, and energetic, toe tapping Zydeco.
There are only a few families more closely associated with Zydeco than the Broussards. Jeffery Broussard was eight years old when he debuted on drums in his father's band. He acknowledges that without the struggle and hard times experienced in life, he could not sing and play with the emotion and soul he expresses. “I find inspiration all around me. I try to make my music representative of myself and my generation, and I love the places that most people don't give a second glance.” Broussard’s awards include: Accordionist of the Year, the Centurion Award, the Canray Fontenot Fiddle Award, Trailblazer Award, induction into the Louisiana Folk Life Center’s Hall of Fame Master Folk Artists, and more.
Whether playing at a festival stage in front of thousands of dancers, a small theater of seated patrons, teaching a lesson, or playing at a trail ride, his warmth, love of music and talent shine.
Lazarro Nettles, Saxophonist, Dee Davis, Guitar, and Lori St. George, Jazz Vocalist
Nettles was born and raised in Baton Rouge but traveled extensively as a musician. He has opened for notable bands such as: the Isley Brothers, George Clinton, and the Average White Band. With Nettles & Friends, you can expect to hear tunes from Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, smooth and contemporary Jazz, and more.
Total Control
is a six-piece cover band based in New Roads, LA. The band performs old school R&B, Funk, Southern Soul, and more. Entertaining audiences for over 20 years, they are well known for creating a unique style through their musicianship and have created a mass following throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Band members include: Grayland Wells on bass, Jamaal Miles on drums, Tim Quinn on guitar, Dominic Bazile on keyboards, Vocalist Chasity Ross and Eddie Variest.