Louisiana Artist Profile: Next Gen Zydeco Band

Meet Next Gen Zydeco: An exciting young Louisiana band.

Next Gen ZydecoPhoto byM Henderson

To experience Zydeco music like it was before it was even called Zydeco, check out the young band, Next Gen Zydeco. Hailing from St. Landry parish, the Zydeco capital of the world, these musicians are dedicated to preserving the roots of old-time French La La played in clubs and church halls across South Louisiana while exploring the new sounds of Zydeco and Cajun music.

With familial ties to Zydeco musicians Beau Jocque and Chris Ardoin, brothers Ethan and Landon Lemelle play drums and guitar, respectively. Introduced to Zydeco legends by their father, Ethan has been drumming since he was 5 years old, and Landon learned guitar at 12.

Accordion player, Brayden Janice, was raised on Zydeco and Cajun music and comes from a musical family. He has been playing music for most of his young life with a style heavily influenced by both old and new school sounds.

Keyboardist Daniel Ford began his musical career by playing gospel in church and watching his father play trumpet in his brass band, Soul Express. As a songwriter, he wrote his first song at just 8 years old.

Backing the group on bass, Craig Guillory first learned Cajun guitar techniques from his grandfather, who played Cajun and swing music with the Dixie Ramblers of South Louisiana in the 1930s. He and his sister Kristi had their own band in the early 1990s.

If you feel like putting your dancing shoes on, Next Gen Zydeco can be heard at Prejean's Authentic Cajun Restaurant in Broussard, Louisiana, and other venues around the area.