Violinist-fiddler-composer and singer Tom “Rigo” Rigney’s East Bay quintet Flambeau plays traditional Cajun and zydeco two-steps and waltzes, along with low-down blues and New Orleans R&B. What sets the band apart is Rigney’s fresh musical takes on Cajun and zydeco, and other styles he loves to play from rock to classical, creating a celebration of life through dance rhythms. The tight ensemble of virtuoso musicians – which also includes guitarist Danny Caron (Rigney’s longtime collaborator since their Sundogs years), keyboardist Caroline Dahl, bassist Steve Parks, and drummer Brent... show more

Violinist-fiddler-composer and singer Tom “Rigo” Rigney’s East Bay quintet Flambeau plays traditional Cajun and zydeco two-steps and waltzes, along with low-down blues and New Orleans R&B. What sets the band apart is Rigney’s fresh musical takes on Cajun and zydeco, and other styles he loves to play from rock to classical, creating a celebration of life through dance rhythms. The tight ensemble of virtuoso musicians – which also includes guitarist Danny Caron (Rigney’s longtime collaborator since their Sundogs years), keyboardist Caroline Dahl, bassist Steve Parks, and drummer Brent Rampone – plays mostly original material, highlighting Rigney’s arrangements.

The band features tunes from the rocking new Flambeau CD, “Serious Fun” (released in September), which boasts 15 songs, 11 of them Rigney originals. Rigney’s 2008 acoustic blues release “Back Porch Blues,” with favorites such as “Drivin’ That Thing” and “Swamp Beat Boogie,” spent much of the summer in the top 15 of “B.B. King’s Top Picks to Click” on XM/Sirius Radio’s Bluesville channel, hitting the #1 spot in August. Guest artists on the album include longtime Rigney friends Norton Buffalo, Roy Rogers, and Bob Brozman.
show less