The New Orleans Catahoulas

The Catahoulas are a New Orleans Rhythm and Blues band that specializes in playing the lost sounds of the city’s golden age of R&B- the 1950s and 60s. Each of the band’s all-star members have hefty resumes and impressive musical pedigrees. Almost all are native New Orleanians. In short: they were born and bred to play this music.

Leader and bassist Joshua Gouzy has assembled a line-up that seems tailor-made for the style, each with their own particular tie to its roots. Legendary drummer and vocalist Gerald French of The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band is dyed-in-the-wool New Orleans rhythm. The horn section features Preservation Hall All-Stars player Kevin Louis on trumpet and Earl Bonie and Oliver Bonie of The New Orleans Jazz Vipers on tenor sax and baritone sax. All four have been making music in New Orleans their entire lives and have traveled the world as ambassadors of New Orleans music. Pianist Steve DeTroy comes to the band by way of Walter “Wolfman” Washington’s Roadmasters. Steve grew up with music in church and is known for injecting songs with blues and soul. Guitarist Bert Cotton has been performing with New Orleans brass rock band Bonerama for over 18 years.

Together the Catahoulas play classics and forgotten gems of the era by Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Alvin “Shine” Robinson, Snooks Eaglin, Jesse Hill, Lee Dorsey, Huey Smith, Smiley Louis, Chris Kenner, Ernie K-Doe, Robert Parker, Lloyd Price, and plenty others.