Jeffrey Broussard and Nighttime Syndicate

Hello Baby

Fairground Records

Jeffrey Broussard is a renowned American zydeco musician celebrated for his dedication to preserving Creole traditions. Jeffrey grew up near Opelousas, Louisiana, immersed in the vibrant musical culture of his family. His father Delton and his mother Ethel, introduced him to the soulful sounds of a cappella jure’ music. By the age of eight Jeffrey was playing drums with his father’s band, the Lawtell Playboys. Over the years he mastered, drums, accordion, bass, guitar and fiddle. As a teenager, Jeffrey secretly taught himself to play his father’s accordion, drawing inspiration from Boozoo Chavis and John Delafose. He co-founded Zydeco Force and they released seven acclaimed albums between 1990 and 2004. In 2005, he formed Jeffrey Broussard and the Creole Cowboys, and he blended traditional styles with a contemporary twist; they recorded their debut album “Keeping the Tradition Alive!. Jeffrey has graced stages across the world and his 2022 album “Boots and Boujee” continued his advocacy.

The nine piece band includes Jeffrey Broussard, accordion and vocals; Gary Francois, Rubboard; JUgCEY, trombone; Paul Cheenne, saxophone; David McKissick, trumpet; Hannah Davis, drums; Romain Beauxis, guitar; Spike Perkins, bass; and Zachary Wiggins, piano and organ.

The order of the songs appears to be incorrect resulting in some being mislabeled. On “Whatever” recorded by Zydeco Force in 1992, Jeffrey sings and plays some great accordion “sit back and have a cup of coffee, or whatever, and listen to the great, great sounds of zydeco”. “It’s Alright” first recorded in 2006, includes the lyric “It’s alright” if you come to the club…take a chance on a cajun girl or man”, with some piano from Wiggins. “Richest Man” was written by Bill Carter in 2017 and features some saxophone from Cheeme “if I had a number for every time I broke your heart I’d been the richest man in the world”.

“Aww Baby” is the most recent song as it was recorded by the Zydeco Cowboys in 2022, “Aww baby, be with me baby, I’ll rock your world, hold me in your arms  and let me rock you baby, I’m so lonely without your love”. “Oh Ye Yaille” also  from the Zydeco Cowboys was recorded ten years earlier. “A Change is Gonna Come”, written and recorded by Sam Cooke in 1964, is a great vocal from Jeffrey: “I was born by the river in a little tent…it’s been a long time comin’, but I know, a change is gonna’ come”.

“Madeline” written by Adam Hebert, is from the Lawtell Playboys and dates back to 1992, “hey Madeline, you don’t know how much I tried”. “Bring It On Home” is  a slow ballad with Wiggins on piano “if you ever change your mind about leaving me behind, bring it to me, bring your sweet lovin’ home to me”. “Roaches”, from Zydeco Force recorded in 1994, “roaches, oh yeah, roaches everywhere, oh yeah,” includes a great trombone solo.

“Hello, Baby”, from Rosie Ledet, was first recorded by her in 2001, “hello, baby, I been wondering I swear I do, no matter how long you been waiting, where you been?” “No Good Woman”, written by Sidney Joseph Simien and James Floyd Soileau, was first recorded by Rockin’ Sidney in 1961. The traditional “Swing” is a raucous instrumental. While the closer, “Falling In Love With Jesus” written by Jonathan Butler, was first recorded in 2009 “Falling in love with Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done”.

On “Bayou Midnight” Jeffrey Broussard once again proves himself a charismatic performer. With his signature baseball cap, rodeo belt and ever-present toothpick he continues to captivate audiences with his raspy tenor voice and electrifying accordion skills. Jeffrey Broussard is dedicated to the timeless art of zydeco music.