Coco Robicheaux. the unofficial mayor of Frenchmen Street, was a unique, completely self-defined character and musician, a man who believed his music intermingled the spiritual and physical worlds.
Nearly 2 years after his death, several of Robicheaux's friends and former bandmembers have come together to stage a fitting tribute to him. At the Blues Tent during the 2013 Jazzfest, veteran rock and soul singer Irene Sage -- "Queen Irene," in Robicheaux's lexicon -- led an ensemble that included guitarist Michael Sklar and pedal steel "wizard" Dave Easley.
5. Dancer and Songwriter
Danielle Laramie
Arceneaux first joined
the Burning Bushes in
the Spiritland Band
back in 1997, and she
has performed at
several JazzFest and
French Quarter
Festivals over the
years.
6. โThe Master of the
Telecasterโ, Cocoโs
right hand man on
guitar and has been a
core member of the
Band for 20 years. He
was the original
guitarist for the New
Orleans Blues Dept back
in the 70's and 80's.
7. Michael is also
the leader of
Mike Sklar and
the HipShakers.
He plays in clubs
all around the
city and still
carries the torch,
playing the late
night apple
barrel gigs.
8.
9. The "Wizardโ on pedal
steel, and also a core
member of Coco's
Band, Dave toured
with Coco for over 20
years. He is also an
incredible writer and
composer and one of
the most mesmerizing
musicians you will
ever hear.
10.
11.
12. Tom was Coco's
regular drummer
for the most part
of the last decade.
These days he can
be found playing
with a wide variety
of bands around
New Orleans.
13. Mike was the
Hammond player
for Spiritland
Band. And when
youโre in New
Orleans, you can
catch him playing
live at the historic
Lafitte's
Blacksmith Shop.
14.
15.
16. The percussionist
for the Spiritland
Band for15 years,
Hubie also played
with the Creatures
of Habit and the
all night power
band Irene and
The Mikes.
17. Hubie is a veteran
camera man for a New
Orleans news station
as well as a film
maker.
18.
19. An accomplished
singer and actress,
Dorian leads the
Running with
Scissors
production
company. She
sang back up in
the Spiritland Band
for 10 years as
well.
20. Irene, leader of the
Irene Sage Band, and
former leader of the
band Irene and The
Mikes, has been
sharing the stage with
Coco Robicheaux for
over 25 years. In fact,
they first met back in
1988 when Coco
became one of the Mike's in her band!
21.
22. Leader of the New
Orleans band Walter
Wolfman and the
Road Masters,
โWolfmanโ is a New
Orleans Blues icon.
His incredibly
smooth guitar
playing always lights
up the stage.
23.
24.
25. Known as โDr. Scottโ, is
the guitarist for the Irene
Sage Band. He was also
Coco's close friend and
physician. Dr. Scott will
be playing Robicheaux's
rhythms at the fest,
strumming out chords on
a gut string classical
guitar in true Coco form.
26. Jack has been one
of the Roadmasters
for 20 years, laying
down some of the
funkiest bass ever.
He also plays bass
with the Irene Sage
Band and he leads
Jack Cruz and the
Cruz Missiles.
