Mardi Gras Comes to Flushing Town Hall with Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys on Friday, 3/10

One of the most influential accordionists and vocalists in modern Zydeco music, Jeffery Broussard continues to be one of the genre's most dynamic performers. He has continually been an innovator, beginning his career with traditional Creole Zydeco music playing drums in his father's band, Delton Broussard & The Lawtell Playboys, then moving on to develop the nouveau Zydeco sound in Zydeco Force, now returning to the more traditional Zydeco sound with his own band, Jeffery Broussard and The Creole Cowboys.

On his 50th birthday, this March 10, Jeffery Broussard, will take the stage at Flushing Town Hall for a night of vibrant moves and infectious sounds. The evening begins with a dance lesson at 7:00 PM, followed by a concert at 8:00 PM.

Born in Lafayette, LA in 1967, Jeffery Broussard is the youngest of 11 children. The family lived in Frilot Cove, LA. on a farm where his father was a sharecropper. Jeffery grew up fishing in the bayous, riding horses across the fields with his friends, and most of all working hard. His music career started very early in life, similar to many other famous Zydeco musicians.

At eight years old, he started playing drums in his father's band, the renowned Delton Broussard & The Lawtell Playboys. After seventh grade, Jeffery left school to farm full time to help his parents make ends meet. Jeffery spent long days digging and sorting potatoes. Whenever he could, Jeffery would sneak in to the house and get his daddy's accordion down from the closet where it was stored and would teach himself how to play. Each time he would put the accordion up, he would set it on the shelf slightly different. His dad suspected that someone was playing his accordion, but never reprimanded Jeffery for it. When Jeffery was 13, his father left sharecropping to work for an oil company and two years later tragedy struck the family when Jeffery's mother died of cancer.

During his teen years, Jeffery played drums in his oldest brother Clinton's band, Clinton Broussard & the Zydeco Machines. Clinton plays the old Clifton Chenier-style triple-note accordion. It was in this band that Jeffery played the accordion in public for the first time. His brother would let him play a few songs from time to time, but he was too shy to speak on stage, let alone sing. It wasn't until he joined the band Zydeco Force that he began singing.

It's quite possible that without the struggle and hard times that Jeffery has experienced in life, he could not sing and play with the emotion, the soul, he expresses. He has range seldom seen in Zydeco - from traditional songs of the old masters to originals, single-note and triple-note accordion tunes and fiddle tunes.

Whether he is playing a festival stage in front of thousands of dancers, in a small theater of seated patrons, giving an interview, teaching a lesson or playing at a trail-ride, his warmth, love of the music, and talent shine. Dedicated to preserving and promoting the Creole culture and traditional Zydeco music, Jeffery plays with passion and commitment to carry on his daddy's legacy.

Tickets can be purchased at www.flushingtownhall.org or by calling (718) 463-7700 x222. Flushing Town Hall is accessible by car, bus, train and foot - located a short distance from the 7 train - at 137-35 Northern Blvd., in Flushing, Queens.

This season, Flushing Town Hall is opening its doors to teenagers - for FREE. Under the new "Teen Access Program", all 13- to 19-year-old boys and girls (whether a member or not) will be welcomed to attend any performance for free. The program is designed to appeal to students and help foster a greater love in the arts and culture.