Everybody’s favorite Cajun band will deliver up some of their tasty tunes at a Cajun style dance party at the me&thee coffeehouse on Friday, November 16. The Squeezebox Stompers consist of Ralph Tufo, Ryan Thomson, and Larry Plitt. Together, they play a total of 15 instruments, including several kinds of fiddles, banjos and accordions. Tufo and Thomson’s names may be recognizable to Boston area music fans since they were the founding members of the Boogaloo Swamis. That band was largely responsible for introducing New Orleans style music to New England. In fact, they won four Boston Music awards for their efforts.

The music that the Squeezebox Stompers play is eclectic to say the least: it’s a mix of country blues, Zydeco, Celtic, Cajun, ballads, and some original tunes thrown in for good measure. For this Cajun party at the me&thee, Ryan (or as he is often called, Captain Fiddle) will guide the audience and instruct them how to do the two-step Cajun waltz so everyone can fully participate in the dance party. Kathy Sands-Boehmer, a publicist for the coffeehouse says, “There are no excuses for those who say ‘I don’t know how to do that kind of dancing!’ All you have to do is show up and you’ll be taught step-by-step!”

The Squeezebox Stompers released their first CD last year and it’s been receiving a very favorable response. It’s an upbeat collection of tunes that certainly make you want to get out there on the dance floor or at least tap your feet in rhythm. “Roots music is all the rage these days,” continues Sands-Boehmer. “More and more musicians are digging deep into the musical cultures that exist right here in the U.S. and Cajun / Zydeco music is especially popular.” In addition to all the terrific original songs that the Stompers wrote, there’s one song on the recording that is especially memorable and it’s their adaptation of the Jelly Roll Morton song, “Michigan Water.” It’s the perfect way to start this CD because it gives you just a little taste of what the rest of the album is like and then it eases the listener into a livelier and more festive Zydeco mood.

Ralph Tufo is a college instructor by day and one of the most talented Cajun accordionists on the scene. Ralph plays the accordion, piano, Anglo concertina and Cajun accordion. He is a prolific songwriter, with over 40 songs to his credit.

Ryan Thomson is regional winner of the National Fiddle Contest and credits his parents for supporting his musical interests from an early age. Although starting with classical piano, he has mastered the knack of playing by ear on a gamut of obscure folk instruments including bones, frottoir, triangle, bodhran, and various string and wind instruments.

Larry Plitt has been playing acoustic guitar and bass since he was 13. His playing is rooted in the Piedmont and Delta blues styles but is also peppered with Cajun, Zydeco, Celtic and classical influences. Plitt just won a prestigious songwriting contest sponsored by WUMB at the Boston Folk Festival in September 2007.

All are welcome to come out on Friday, November 16 to experience a genuine Cajun dance party.

 

 

The Squeezebox Stompers, which at times features a two-accordion attack, play an eclectic and breezy mix of rootsy music — sometimes with an Irish flavor, sometimes Cajun. There’s folk, there’s blues, there’s Zydeco. It’s a mix of new and old, traditional but pertinent. . . . Call the music what you want, but the Stompers certainly bring credibility to the project. All are veterans of the local music scene and have crossed paths musically over the past three decades. They also, despite differing approaches, tap into the same vein of experience and resources. J.C. Lockwood, North Shore Sunday