Bio
Bayou Boy in the Bay
Dwight Shackelford was born in the deep bayou town of Houma, Louisiana, in Terrebonne Parish in SE Louisiana, about 60 miles SW of New Orleans. From a young age he grew up experiencing Mardi Gras, hurricanes, Community Coffee with Chicory, gumbo, crawfish (both on his plate and in his yard).
After moving to California, he began playing rubboard with bands like Sonoma County's Gator Beat, then single row and double row accordion player when he formed Les Amis back in 2009.
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Included in the standard line-up of the band is Sonoma resident Nazar Eljumaily on guitar. Dwight and Nazar met through Sonoma County based Zydedo Band "Gator Beat". Nazar also currently plays with the Sonoma based band Wildflower Weed. Let's just say, Nazar ROCKS!
Sonoma county's Gus Garelick recently joined us as fiddler. Gus played with Queen Ida's band back in the 80s, worked with Jim Boggio and the Sonoma Swamp Dogs in the 90s (Boggio was one of the founders of the Cotati Accordion Festival) and the Wild Catahoulas in the early 2000s until last year.
Steven Strauss joins us on bass. Steven's creds include rhythm and blues artis Charles Brown, California Cajun Orchestra, and has been a stalwart in other local Cajun and Zydeco bands.
(original artwork by Dwight Shackelford, entitled "Dance Your Head Off")
CONTACT INFO:
510-921-6739