The Mississippi River is a breeding ground for wildlife, aquatic creatures, people and swamps. Over 2300 miles of winding river stretches from Northern Minnesota to Southern Louisiana bringing people a rich tradition of music we call the Blues. Blues music varies in styles along the path of the Mississippi and if you ever are in Louisiana you will hear two styles of the Blues called Cajun Boogie and Swamp Blues.
Cajun Boogie is a blend of traditional Cajun, Creole and Zydeco rhythms mixed with honky Tonk, Swing, Boogie Woogie and Blues melodies. The origin of Cajun Boogie is hard to pinpoint but Southern Louisiana is commonly referred to as its homeland. Typical lyrics which accompany this style of music are simple and to the point and often some what comical. The up-beat rhythms and the I've been there before lyrics always seem to get people on their feet to dance and have a good time .The Hackberry Ramblers, Tabby Thomas and Raful Neal are examples of Louisiana musicians who have helped to craft this style of music and musicians like Tab Benoit and Kenny Neal (son of the late great Harmonica player Raful Neal) carry on the style today with their incredible musical talent.
Swamp Blues originated in the Baton Rouge Louisiana area by musicians like Lazy Lester and Slim Harpo producing a more rock'n style of Cajun music.This style was brought to a wider audience in the 1970's by popular musicians like The Rolling Stones and Tony Joe White.
The Swamp Kings are a Minnesota based band that started out as an idea in early 2006 by Guitarist Tom Harkness. Already in a 10 year running Minneapolis based blues band called The Zen Garage Band, Harkness was ready for a change in direction. Having played with Bass Guitarist Matt Page in The Zen Garage Band for three years Harkness ran the idea of a Cajun Boogie trio by Page and soon the The Swamp Kings began.
Joe McCoy from Augusta Georgia became the original Swamp Kings drummer in the latter part of 2006. McCoy departed from the band in January 2007 and The Swamp Kings continued with Jesse Nelson through late 2007. Connor McRae now is the official King of the drum throne and has tightened the band with his natural Cajun drumming style. Harkness, Page and McRae all experienced in Cajun Boogie and Swamp Blues have cooked-up a natural groove which is now a very solid and entertaining trio.
You can catch The Swamp Kings performing in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota three to six times a month so check the See Us Live calendar for dates and venues.
Hey...its getting dark out and you've been fish'n all day long so put down your pole and get out tonight to boogie with The Swamp Kings!
