Live New Orleans Music Through the ages !
ABOUT THE BAND
With over 40 years in the music business, all members of The Mardi Gras Mambo Combo is a highly regarded and well-respected group of music makers with individual experience both locally and internationally. They've backed up big-name artists and their passion for New Orleans music shines through every note. Audiences will be treated to unforgettable renditions of hits by New Orleans greats like Louis Armstrong, Jellyroll Morton, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, and many more. Whether you’re tapping your feet to the funky beats of The Meters or swaying to the soulful tunes of Fats Domino, every song brings the energy of the Crescent City to life.
FEATURING:
Bruce Gerrish
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lead vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele
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A versatile vocalist, award winning, published songwriter, entertainer and accomplished musician, Bruce Gerrish accompanies himself on acoustic & electric guitars, banjo, ukulele and piano. Bruce is a well known fixture on Vancouver Island where he plays with The Shineolas and as a solo. His “Quirkophony” studio album features a seamless combination of New Orleans Boogie, Roots, Blues, Texas Swing and sincere ballads. “Quirkophony” received airplay on CBC, BBC, Scotland, Germany, Holland and Italy. Bruce's style is reflective of the times he has spent living and working in New Orleans where family friends owned and operated the world famous Preservation Jazz Hall.
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lead vocals and piano
The Doctor has treated crowds of parties from the snow peaks of British Columbia and the Swiss Alps to smokey jazz bars in Paris, France, from Hawaii to Keffalonia, Greece, and many places in between. Doc's played with many musical greats including: Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) Millar Anderson (T-rex) Phil Dwyer, Tom Keenlyside, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson, Frank Zappa, David Clayton Thomas, Mississippi John Hurt, Fred Mcdowell, Jimmy Witherspoon, Steve Winwood, Lowell Fullson, Charlie Musselwhite, Bo Diddley, Jim Burns and Lee Oscar.
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guitars, pedal steel, dobro & keyboard, vocals
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John started gigging at the age of 12, and by 18 he was touring auditorium shows and major festivals around the world. John has lent his talents to a number of high reaching stars such as The Be Good Tanyas, Colin James, Bruce Cockburn, Jim Byrnes, Doc Walker, Jeremy Fisher, Tom Jackson, Charlie Major, George Canyon, Doug & The Slugs, Barney Bentall, Ridley Bent, Leeroy Stagger, Ferron, Dan Mangan and Jane Siberry. Over the last two decades, John’s productions have appeared in the top ten on Canadian charts, and in television placements including hit series’ such as Breaking Bad, Da Vinci’s Inquest, and more.
drums and percussion, vocals
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James has played with a wide diversity of players from Miles Black to David Essig to Marc Atikinson. His passion for music defies easy categorization. He’s lived on Vancouver Island since 1986 and has long been an important part of the Vancouver Island music scene, including his time in the 1990’s with the popular Victoria group Loose. In 2011 he released Slow Down, an album of all original songs he wrote with a Brazilian flavour that received praise from Canada and internationally. He more recently was the leader of a project reimagining Gordon Lightfoot’s music in a jazz.
Doc Fingers
John MacArthur Ellis
James McRae
Paul Wainwright
Paul lives in Victoria BC where he has performed with Michael Bublé, Stevie Nicks, Kenny Loggins, Martha Reeves and countless others.His group of many years the Big Band Trio were one of Canada's most beloved vocal swing groups. A hit at festivals and events across Canada and the US, they recorded four cds.
Paul Wainwright formed his own group in 2004 after many years of touring and recording. "I always wanted to do funky, groove jazz since I was a kid. I was turned on by Weather Report, Spyro Gyra and the Crusaders. Grover Washington Jr and Stanley Turrentine were my heroes. This was my opportunity…In 2006 he released Paul Wainwright & SaxSafari-Plank Spankin' which garnered rave reviews and considerable rotation in numerous US markets. The follow up Midnight Café continued the momentum. His many recordings continue to receive world wide airplay.
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