ABOUT
We are a five piece. We play Jazz, Cajun, Blues, Country and even a little Southern Rock with a New Orleans feel and love varying the rhythms to include ska, rumba, samba and calypso. In fact we go wherever the music takes us so long as it's south of the Mason-Dixon line. We have a few self pens but are mainly covers. We are based in East London and have done local gigs but would love to spread our wings a little.
- Screen name:
- anne329584
- Member since:
- Jun 27 2017
- Active over 1 month ago
- Level of commitment:
- Very Committed
- Years together:
- 4
- Gigs played:
- 10 to 50
- Tend to practice:
- 2-3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 1 night a week
- Age:
- 58 years
Influences
The music of New Orleans from the Jazz clubs to Congo Square. We like to think of ourselves as Swamp Jazz and then some. We have an eclectic mix of jazz standards, blues, Cajun as well as Latin rhythms and even Caribbean influences.
Members Of Band
Drummer - Dick
Bass guitar - Chris
Vocalist - Anne
Guitarist - Tony
Accordionist - Orsolo
EQUIPMENT
Own PA including monitors, mikes and stands. Plus enough leads to knit a jumper!
MUSIC
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Big Chief
Big Chief Track number: 2 Year: 1964 Genre: Blues
Earl King's Big Chief was made popular by Professor Longhair and is a New Orleans piano standard. Our accordionist does an amazing job with this number and can play it as long and fast as you like
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Do It Again
Do It Again Year: 1972 Album: Can't Buy a Thrill Genre: Rock
We tend to add numbers for favourite people who have died. Chris and I actually met Walter Becker and we love this number. The accordion gives it that Gators feel
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Congo Square
Congo Square Track number: 4 Year: 1995 Album: South of I-10 Genre: Blues
Sonny Landreth number from our Blues at the Barns set.
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Work Song
Work Song Track number: 21 Year: 1960 Album: Work Song Genre: Jazz
Junior Brown put lyrics to this Nat Adderley jazz tune. Everyone's had a go though incluing Nina Simone
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Man Smart, Woman Smarter
Man Smart, Woman Smarter Track number: 15 Year: 1936 Genre: Calypso
Norman Span number made famous by Harry Belafonte. I've adapted the lyric to make this fun song. This was our encore at Barkingside
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Blue Bayou
Blue Bayou Track number: 3 Year: 1972 Album: Listen to a Country Song Genre: Country
Such a pretty song by the Great Roy Orbison.
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I'm Late
I'm Late Track number: 10 Year: 1998 Album: Going with the Flow Genre: Jazz
This cool little jazzy number was written by Dave Richardson and Chris when he was in the Swamp Cats and is on their first album.
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Folsom Prison Blues
Folsom Prison Blues Track number: 9 Year: 1957 Album: Johnny Cash with his Hot and Blue Guitar Genre: Country
Johnny Cash at his best with this rolling number. Tony does a mean JC guitar, Gheorghe is the train, Chris anchors it all down with the bass and Dick shoots me in the back with rim shots. It's so cool to work with these guys
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Iko Iko
Iko Iko Track number: 11 Year: 1964 Album: Chapel of Love Genre: R&B
Our take on the Dixie Cups take on this Sugar Boy Crawford number.
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Jambalaya
Jambalaya Track number: 12 Year: 1952 Genre: Country
Hank Williams go at a Cajun song.
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Red Moon Blues
Red Moon Blues Track number: 18 Year: 2016 Genre: Blues
Self pen of my own after a dispute with my old man.
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Proud Mary
Proud Mary Track number: 17 Year: 1969 Album: Bayou County Genre: R&B
Creedance Clearwater Revival, Tina Turner - I still see singing slugs from Flushed away!
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Jockey Full of Bourbon
Jockey Full of Bourbon Track number: 13 Year: 1985 Album: Rain Dogs Genre: Blues
Tom Waitts wrote this interesting rumba, covered by Diana Krall
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Just a Little Bit
Just a Little Bit Track number: 14 Year: 1959 Genre: R&B
Cool Rosco Gordon track
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Sick and Tired
Sick and Tired Track number: 20 Year: 1957 Genre: R&B
Chris Kenner song made famous by the great Fatz Domino
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You Never Can Tell
You Never Can Tell Track number: 22 Year: 1964 Genre: R&B
Chuck Berry all time anthem - well this and Promised Land which we also do a version of
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Fire on the Bayou MASTERED
Fire on the Bayou MASTERED Track number: 8 Year: 1975 Album: Fire on the Bayou Genre: Funk
The Meters made this in to a New Orleans anthem.
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Bad Things MASTERED
Bad Things MASTERED Track number: 1 Year: 2005 Album: Jace Everett Genre: Blues
Our take on the theme from True Blood - Forest Gate Festival
CALENDAR
Past Events
Osborne Road E7
The 20th anniversary of this amazing community event. Join The Forest Gators for a rocking set from the Crescent City.
Private party for our bass player who hits the big 70 in April. New songs for an old boy!
That time of year again to light the Christmas lights. Join us for a cool Cajun Christmas.
Redbridge Green Fair Music Club presents Showcase night Cranbrook Castle Tennis Club St George's Road, Ilford, IG1 3PG
An infectious mix of New Orleans, Jazz, Cajun, Zydeco and Rock for your listening, foot-tapping and, who knows, even your dancing pleasure?!
Really excited about this one! We've been asked to play Arch 1 Unit 1, West Ham Arches
Cranberry Lane
London
E16 4BJ
So cool to be playing for Robert, come on down for some stomps from the swamps!
The Forest Gators opened this event for Redbridge Music Lounge in Valentine's Park's walled garden. A lovely end to the summer season. Roll on Autumn.
The Forest Gators were thrilled to be asked to play for this private birthday party. We are always happy to do your events - just ask
Number 8 Forest Gate Emporium Sebert Road, London, E7 0NQ is hosting a Summer Fun Day in the Woodgrange Marketplace outside the shop this Saturday. The Forest Gators will be there from 12pm-1pm to fill the market with music.
Another great day in the sun.
The Forest Gators open the Forest Gate Festival, Osbourne Road E7.
A long established street festival, great stalls, great food and of course great music. Be a part of it.
St Stephen and St Nicholas Catholic Church, Manor Park E12 are holding a community day after the 11am mass. A good chance to be a part of this friendly and open community.
Fairlop Waters, Forest Road, Barkingside IG6 3HN (10 mins walk from Fairlop Station on Central Line – Hainault loop). Performance Area: ‘The Boathouse’ Bar Patio overlooking Fairlop Waters
Another great afternoon of music with our hosts Redbridge Music Lounge. Come on down for some stomps from the swamps!
Ken Aston Square, 140 High Street Fulwell Cross Barkingside IG6 2EA
The Forest Gators are pleased to be part of the Redbridge Midsummer Music Fest. Two days of great music, we are playing from 1.15pm.
Come and celebrate the summer with us and some good stompin' tunes
The opening summer event at Woodgrange market place Sebert Road E7, opposite Forest Gate Station. Stalls , food, craft beers and good good music provided by the Forest Gators. Dance your way into summer.
A one-day festival, featuring the best in acoustic blues and roots music, set on a former farm in the gorgeous Essex countryside.
Creeksea Place Barns, Creeksea Lane, Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 8PJ 01621 786503 www.parlourcafe.com
We may well be the opening act on the main stage. Got a good rocking set with plenty of dance numbers and a great new accordion player. Come and join the fun.
Its time to light the Christmas lights at Woodgrange Marketplace E7 and the Forest Gators will be there to make sure it goes with a swing.
Join us for an hour of jazz, Cajun and good old rocking numbers from the heart of the Louisianan swamps.
The Forest Gators are playing the Coppermill in Walthamstow E17. Come for a night of cool tunes from the Louisianan swamps to the East End marshes. Jazz, Cajun, blues and a little old fashioned rock'n'roll.
