Toulouse was founded in 1989 to celebrate Mardi Gras with the renowned Gumbo
Pot Restaurant in the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market. It was to be a one shot
deal, but it took on a life of its own. It was the best New Olreans band in Los
Angeles, bar none. I relocated to New Orleans in 1998, but still went back
to L.A. for a few Mardi Gras at the Farmer's Market. While displaced in
Shreveport after Katrina, I put TOULOUSE! together up there with ringer
locals, including Steve Wells and Ron Johnson.
this was the L.A. band, circa 1992
keyboards: Mark Jordan is a veritable catalogue of 30 years of big time
California rock and roll as a writer, producer, recording artist and touring
sideman. His credits enclude Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Lyle Lovett, Dave
Mason, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs..... He also holds the Professor Longhair
seal of approval.
bass: Hutch Hutchinson is a world famous player with a strong New Orleans
history, including the Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, Professor Longhair and
most of the other top names in the Crecent City. He currently works with
legendary producer Don Was and tours and records with Bonnie Raitt.
percussion: Teddy Zambetti Originally a New Yorker, his diverse credits
include the Flying Burrito Brothers, Jackson Brown, Lowell George, Lindsey
Buckingham, Michael Bolton, and Lionel Hampton! He also leads the original
group, Villiage of Odd Waters and the Louisiana funk group, Dirty Rice.
guitar: Phil Settle is originally from the muddy side of Houston, Texas,
where he lead the legendary funk group, Bounce, and gradudated from the
fabulous music school, North Texas State University. He served as staff
guitarist at the famed Muscle Shoals Studio, and played with Louisiana’s
White Trash before he migrated to California in 1987.
drums: Tony Braunagel is another walking who’s who of California rock. He
has recorded and toured with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Jack Mack and the
Heart Attack, Taj Mahal, Otis Rush, Ricky Lee Jones, Leo Nocentelli, Lyle
Lovett, Etta James, and Buddy Guy.
sax and leader: Stephen Allen has played with a wide variety of artists,
including Dr. John, Johnny Adams, Aaron Neville, Rita Coolidge, Bonnie
Bramlett, Big Joe Turner and many others too greasy to mention. He writes
the original songs that Toulouse plays, and also cooks a mean gumbo.
Six pieces of Louisiana Dynamite, light the fuse and stand back!
formerly based out of Shreveport, now Steve has put the New Orleans version together. This is a great restaurant, private party or nightclub jazz band.
Authentic New Orleans Brass Band
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans? If you could use some
reminding, how about a raucus horn band that marches around? There's no sound
on earth quite like a New Orleans brass band, and it is an infectous instant party atmosphere.
The New Orleans Brass Marchers are a self contained unit that is stand up, in your face, and
chase you down the street if necessary.
The New Orleans Brass Marchers worked in Los Angeles
at special events where the band played concerts or would stroll around a large event site.
In New Orleans, there are dozens of brass bands. Steve Allen's The New Orleans Brass Marchers
can be big or small, very professional, and a guaranteed whole bunch of New Orleans fun for hire.