Richard Allen and the Louisiana Experience
My name is Richard Allen with Richard Allen and The Louisiana Experience, 3rd generation accordion player born and raised in Lafayette, LA. We offer the full "Louisiana Experience" from high-energy Zydeco, ZydeCajun, ZydeFunk, ZydeSoul, Swing, Jazz, R&B, Blues, Rock and New Orleans Mardi Gras. I have been immersed with sounds of the people of Lafayette and the surrounding rural areas my entire life. Our band is making waves around the US.. Our fan base is continually growing and the comments from venue owners, festival coordinators and patrons have been overwhelmingly positive. We have headlined more festivals this year than ever before(See Website and EPK). Our band is on Fire! We would love to add a unique color and flavor to festivals throughout Washington!
The band members include Rafael Tranquilino guitar, Farko Dosumov bass, Andre Thomas drums, Laurie Iams scrubboard/vocals, Jim McLaughlin(3 times World Champion) harmonica, Christina Porter background vocals a staple in the WBS scene, and Brandon Hailey on Tenor Sax. Two of my members were selected to represent WA, in the Inernational Blues Challenge. My musicians are the best of WA. I also, earned a Master's Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Univ. of Texas at Austin which has allowed me the distinct honor of conducting National Tours at The 5th Avenue in Seattle(Disney's Beauty and the Beast) as well as substitute with the Seattle Symphony as percussionist. I am a serious musical artist with Zydeco in my blood.
Our product is one of it's kind in the entire West Coast. I play raw authentic Zydeco in the style of the late great Clifton Chenier and Beau Jocque. We have been packing houses throughout and have headlined festivals throughout the NW.
My CD "Now's the Time" released last September has received rave reviews and has been played throughout the United States. In fact, it is still in rotation throughout the SW. "Now's The Time," features original songs received rave reviews from leading Zydeco/Cajun musicians, including the following two:
"Richard Allen and the Louisiana Experience know how to spice it up Louisiana style....
- Chubby Carrier, 2011 Grammy Winner (Zydeco)
"I love the originality in the music and lyrics on Richard Allen's "Now's The Time" CD. Much respect, man."
- Horace Trahan, Cajun/Zydeco Recording Artist, Bandleader of the Ossun Express
REFERENCES:
Craig Cooke - Pacific Rim Talent: 425.489.7900x1(Booking Agent)
Here's what Gary Wallace with the South Sound Blues Association had to say about a recent performance.
"Tacoma had it going last night! "It" being Richard Allen and the Louisiana Experience Band. Moe and I went down to the Spar in Tacoma to catch their show. We weren't disappointed. They were hot! Richard infuses lively pop rock standards with floor stompin' Zydeco straight from his home town of Lafayette, Louisiana. Usually at musical gigs like this the stars shine on one or two particular band members. Last night they shown brightly on the entire band.
And then there is Richard.
Richard Allen is one of the most talented people I know. There is usually an invisible line separating a band from the audience. Richard dissolves that line with the way he interacts with his audience. We can't help but genuinely like the guy. His music is both simple and multifaceted. It's at once earthy and sophisticated. We see him play his accordion, but we hear him play with his heart. He likes to say he's bringing New Orleans to us with his music. I've never been there but I imagine this is fairly close.
After the set he stayed to play one more solo piece. It was an original work called "Believe!". I asked him about it after the show. He told me it's about believing in yourself when you can't get any lower. The lyrics and the passion with which he played it actually brought tears to some eyes. He would like his song to reach some of the veterans who are struggling with life after war. He feels it might help. As a vet, so do I. The thing I like most about Richard is that even with his own struggles he is trying to make a difference in the world. For awhile last night he succeeded...the world was a much happier place."
the world. For awhile last night he succeeded...the world was a much happier place."
******Any additional information requested can be located on my Website and on my EPK listed below. I have recently made live an additional website for another website that highlight s my career as a pianist.
Best, Richard AllenRichard Allen and The Louisiana Experience
Mobile: 206-369-8114
Fax: 425-629-3446
