The Bios

Bio - Allen Toussaint

Allen Toussaint (born January 14, 1938) is an American musician, songwriter and record producer and one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B.

Allen Toussaint has crossed many paths in his illustrious 40 years plus career in music. He has produced, written for, arranged, had his songs covered by, and performed with music giants The Judds, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Patti LaBelle, Mac "Dr. John" Rebannac, Aaron and Art Neville, Joe Cocker, The (original) Meters, Glen Campbell, The Band, Little Feat, The Rolling Stones, Devo, Ernie K-Doe, Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas, Etta James, Ramsey Lewis, Eric Gale and the countless others.

His songs/productions have been featured in numerous films, including but not limited to, Casino, Moulin Rouge, and Maid in Manhattan. He served as musical director for the off Broadway play, Staggerlee, which won the prestigious Outer Circle Critics Award.

Toussaint career began in his early twenties when hired by the local Minit Records to supervise its recording activities, awaiting their arrival of Harold Batiste. Toussaint quickly accumulated an amazing string of hits for the label, producing, writing, arranging and often performing on tracks by Ernie K-Doe, Irma Thomas, Art and Aaron Neville, Chris Kenner, and Benny Spellman, putting his signature New Orleans sound on the map, an obvious continuation of the Domino/Bartholomew era.

Brian "Breeze" Cayolle

Saxophonist/singer-songwriter Brian "Breeze" Cayolle is soulful, strong and deeply rooted in the rhythm & blues, jazz and rock and roll traditions of his native New Orleans. His sound and style have taken him around the world, igniting crowds to standing ovations from the Montreux Jazz Festival to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Brian "Breeze" Cayolle studied music at the University of New Orleans and honed his craft in the clubs of the Crescent City. He performs with many of New Orleans finest artists and with his own group, affectionately known as the French Quarter All-Stars. R&B impresario and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Allen Toussaint, made Cayolle a fixture in his band, utilizing his ability to fill both the tenor and baritone chairs for touring, for recording at his famous Sea-Saint studio and for his NYNO Records sessions. Cayolle has recorded two albums, 1999's Soul Time and his latest effort, State of My Heart.

Roland Guerin

Roland Guerin Guerin studied at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he joined legendary jazz educator Alvin Batistes Band, the Jazztronauts. He later began to tour the world as a member of jazz guitarist Mark Whitfield's Band. During this time Guerin explored the jazz genre; which ultimately proved to be an avenue toward success. He had the opportunity to perform with such greats as George Benson, Jimmy Scott, Frank Morgan, Vernel Fournier, and Gerry Mulligan. In the meantime, he also participated to the recording of several albums with other artists including Ellis Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, and Allen Toussaint.

Renard Poché

Renard Poche' A contemporary of some of New Orleans' funk greats, Renard Poch? contributions can be counted among the defining factors of funk in New Orleans. Best known for his electrifying guitar work, Poch?s an accomplished multi-instrumentalist* whose been known to move effortlessly between guitar, trombone, percussion, flute, recorders and more, without missing a beat.

In addition to his live and studio guitar work with artists such as Dr. John, Zigaboo Modeliste (of the original Meters), Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint and N'Dea Davenport (Brand New Heavies), Poch? trombone work can be heard on recordings by Peter Gabriel, The Indigo Girls, Terrance Simeon and The Neville Brothers, among others. Poch? original compositions have found their way to places as diverse as BET's Movie of the Week and the TaeBo Workout Video. Poch?as also shared his talent with renowned trumpeter/composer Terence Blanchard in soundtracks for the films Dark Blue and Barber Shop.