Gator Beat, the West Coast’s hardest hitting Zydeco, New Orleans R&B band is a hand-clapping, foot-stomping, high energy concert and dance band. They are known as “The Band with A Beat That Bites.” That is because Gator Beat Band has what it takes. With the same survival instinct as its namesake, Gator Beat continues to adapt itself to its audiences, always with something fresh yet true to its calling. That calling is to represent the music of South Louisiana in all its forms, Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans style. They have the talent and diversity to do so, to express the nuances that define the genres.  The result is a remarkable show with so much variety and depth that at the end of the show, the Gator Beat Band leaves you happy and hollerin’ “Gimme Some Mo”!

The band members are:

David Scott on sax, pennywhistle, and vocals; Willard Blackwell on washboard and vocals; Linda Hutchinson on bass and vocals; Randy Quan on guitar and vocals; Susie Davis on accordion, piano, and vocals; Beau Bradbury on drums.

Noteworthy Appearances:

Festivals: Sacramento Jazz Jubilee (1996-2010); Mammoth Lakes Jazz Festival (1997-2007, 2009-2010); Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival (Louisiana); New Orleans by the Bay (Shoreline Theater, Mountain View, California); Medford Jazz Festival (1997-2010); The Britt Festival (Jacksonville, Oregon); Health and Harmony Festival (Santa Rosa, California); San Francisco Accordion Festival; Cotati Accordion Festival (Cotati, California); The Eugene Celebration (Eugene, Oregon). (This is a partial list.)

Fairs:

California State Fair, Napa County Fair, Marin County Fair, Sonoma County Fair, Mendocino County Fair.

Wineries: Rodney Strong, Clos Du Bois, Canyon Road, Chateau St. Jean, Kenwood, Sebastiani, Geyser Peak, Inglenook, Alderbrook, Dry Creek, and more.

Also: The Moscone Center; The San Francisco Academy of Science; Pier 39 & 49, SF; Hewlett Packard, The Reno Hilton, The Great American Music Hall, many yacht clubs, dance halls, and private events.