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One of today’s most innovative Zydeco performers, Terrance Simien likes to push the envelope of Zydeco music to new and exciting levels. He readily infuses his traditional Louisiana rhythms with elements of R&B, funk, gospel and reggae. The Louisiana native, born September 3 , 1965 in Eunice, LA, likes to play barefoot and is regarded as one of Zydeco’s most soulful vocalists and fiercest accordionists. Simien first heard zydeco at local dances as a boy, but didn’t show any real interest in the music until it began growing in popularity during the early 1980s. After learning to play the accordion and writing a handful of songs in collaboration with his brother Greg, Simien formed his first band in 1982. In the years that followed, he honed his chops in area zydeco clubs playing on the weekends while working as a bricklayer during the day. A major break for Simien occurred in 1984 when an appearance at the New Orleans World's Fair brought him to the attention of Paul Simon. With Simon he went on to record a cover of Clifton Chenier's "You Used to Call Me." He also was asked to appear in the feature film, The Big Easy, writing and performing a song with star Dennis Quaid. With his band, the Mallet Playboys, Simien made his solo recording debut in 1990 with his CD, "Zydeco on the Bayou," followed by "There's Room for Us All," in 1993. And in 1999 he released the highly praised, "Positively Beadhead." Once you hear Terrance Simien and the Mallet Playboys perform "you will want to get up and dance, make your reservations for Mardi Gras, eat some red beans and rice, and generally get into that Louisiana party spirit."
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