Jeffery Broussard

Bayou Moonlight is the debut album from Jeffery Broussard & the Nighttime Syndicate, a Southern Louisiana dream-team match-up of Zydeco-nouveau veteran Broussard, members of New Orleans’ TBC Brass Band and a swing-band rhythm section. This krewe creates a high energy, contemporary Zydeco sound generously seasoned with the best of down and dirty R&B, past and present. The album was produced by Romain Beauxis at Marigny Studio in New Orleans recorded by Mack Major and mixed by Chris Butcher. Bayou Moonlight is being released by Fairgrounds Records May 23 on 12” LP vinyl, digital download and streaming platforms.

In Louisiana, creating a new sound doesn’t require breaking with the past. For Jeffery Broussard & the Nighttime Syndicate, it’s about incorporating different elements into the mix. Bayou Moonlight features a lively mix of Zydeco chestnuts including Rosie Ledet’s “Hello Baby,” Rocking Sidney’s No Good Woman,” the Cajun standard “Madeline” which Jeffery’s father Delton played with the Lawtell Playboys, fan favorites by Broussard’s old band Zydeco Force, Sam Cooke’s soul masterpiece “A Change Is Going to Come,” and so on. These have all been transformed with the infusion of New Orleans’ funky R&B styles and the streetwise Jazz of its century-old Brass Band tradition. Jeffery’s lusty vocals, swirling runs on the button-accordion and Gary Francois’ furious rubboard work eddy through the heady horn lines spun by Edward Jackson, Paul Chéenne, and David McKissick of the TBC Brass Band, swung by the sweetly fleet rhythmic underpinnings provided by drummer Hannah David, Spike Perkins on bass and producer Beauxis on guitar. It’s a fusion of potent, diverse styles and high spirits into altogether intoxicating proposition.

Jeffery Broussard is a renowned American zydeco musician celebrated for his virtuosity and dedication to preserving Creole traditions. As the youngest of six siblings, Jeffery grew up in Frilot Cove near Opelousas, Louisiana, immersed in the vibrant musical culture of his family. His father, Delton Broussard, was a respected musician, and his mother, Ethel, introduced him to the soulful sounds of a cappella juré music. By the age of eight, Jeffery was performing on drums with his father’s band, the Lawtell Playboys, marking the beginning of an illustrious career.

Jeffery’s early exposure to Creole and zydeco music ignited a passion that would shape his life. Despite leaving school after seventh grade to help on the family farm, his musical journey thrived. Over the years, he mastered multiple instruments, including drums, accordion, bass, guitar, and fiddle. His talent blossomed as he secretly taught himself to play his father’s accordion—a love affair that would lead him to revolutionize zydeco music.

As a teenager, Jeffery transitioned from playing drums to embracing the diatonic button accordion, drawing inspiration from zydeco legends like Boozoo Chavis and John Delafose. He first made waves with the innovative band Zydeco Force, co-founded with bassist Robby “Mann” Robinson. Known for their genre-bending sound, choreography, and rhythmic innovations like “double-clutching,” Zydeco Force became a trail ride scene favorite and released seven acclaimed albums from 1990 to 2004.

In 2005, Jeffery embarked on a new chapter, forming Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys. This marked a return to the roots of Creole music, blending traditional la-la and zydeco styles with a contemporary twist. Their debut album, Keeping the Tradition Alive!, was lauded for honoring Creole heritage while resonating with modern audiences. Jeffery’s deep commitment to tradition is evident in his music and his advocacy for preserving the French language within the zydeco community.

Jeffery has graced stages across the world, from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to international festivals in Russia, sharing the heart of Louisiana’s Creole culture. His 2022 album, Boots and Boujee, showcases his creative range, featuring heartfelt tributes and fresh compositions produced by his nephew, Koray Broussard.

A charismatic performer with his signature baseball cap, rodeo belt, and ever-present toothpick, Jeffery Broussard continues to captivate audiences with his raspy tenor voice, electrifying accordion skills, and dedication to the timeless art of zydeco music.