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From the New England music scene come five veteran musicians dedicated to the fine art of “Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler” (otherwise pronounced “Let the Good Times Roll”). 

The Chili’s idea of a “Bons Temps” includes groovinated favorites from the legends of New Orleans funk and R&B to fire up your suppressed inner mojo; funkified takes on classic jazz and blues standards to validate your urge to think out of the box; and origilicious tunes straight from the Brothers’ subconcience that will knock you out, wake you up, then knock you out all over again.

 

 

 
 

 

The Chili Brothers are:

Tony Medeiros – guitar and vocals

Bruce Mattson – piano, Hammond B3, and vocals

Joe Potenza – bass and vocals

Dan Hann – drums and percussion

Greg Takemoto – alto sax 

 

 
 

Here’s what their fans are saying:

“The Chili Brothers work their mojo with one part blues, two parts rhythm, and a whole lot of chops to cook up a spicy gumbo of rockin' tunes.”

Mockingbird Music, Mansfield MA

“The Meters and The Nevilles, Dr. John and Professor Longhair - these are touchstones of The Chili Brothers sound, and on these new recordings some classic New Orleans moments have been "Chili-fied". What that means is solid backbeats, driving bass lines, passionate vocals, and solos that burrow deep into that magic place where the groove takes you over body and soul.”

Jim Palana, Singer/Songwriter, Chili Brothers Fan

 

Separately the Brothers have sanctified the muse with Tom “Bones” Malone of the CBS Orchestra (David Letterman’s house band); Charles Neville, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, and other former members of The Band; Dr. John; Toni Lynn Washington; Hot Tuna; the Jerry Portnoy All-Star Band; Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell; jazz legend Alan Dawson; the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra; the Santo Christo Portuguese Marching Band - even a CLOWN BAND for criminy’s sake!
 
As a band the Chili Brothers have performed in countless venues in New England, New York, Canada, and Europe.  From the famous Lone Star Café in New York City, to the Wetlands in Soho; from the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, to Joyous Lake in Woodstock; on these and many other stages the Brothers have left their trademark scorch pattern. The Brothers de Chili have been featured at the famed Kinsale Fringe Jazz Festival in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland for the last four years running. 

 

 

 
 

The Chili Brothers will be leaving their trademark scorch pattern on a stage in your area soon. So rent a big Cadillac, fill it up with your closest friends, and drive on down to the venue. It’s time to celebrate the music and spirit of the Big Easy with somebody what knows how - the Chili Brothers.

2010

Saturday, April 10 - Chan's, Woonsocket RI

2009

Saturday, Feb 14 - Rick's Roadhouse, Prov. RI

Saturday, Mar 7 - Acton Jazz Cafe, Acton MA

Saturday, April 4 - Chan's, Woonsocket RI

Saturday, August 1 - Chan's, Woonsocket RI
     

2008

   Friday, February 8  - Peeptoad Coffehouse, Foster RI
      Mardi Gras Party

   Saturday, February 9 - Acton Jazz Cafe, Acton MA
      Mardi Gras Party

   Friday, February 15 - Gilrein's, Worcester MA
      Mardi Gras Party

   Saturday, March 1 - Steve's Backstage Pass, Taunton MA

   Saturday, April 12 - Acton Jazz Cafe, Acton MA
      Double Bill with Bruce Katz and the Organiks

   Saturday, April 26 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Friday, May 2 - Chan's, Woonsocket RI

   Saturday, May 3 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Monday, May 5 - Framingham State College, Framingham MA

   Saturday, May 10 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Saturday, May 17 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Saturday, May 24 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Saturday, May 31 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Saturday, June 7 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Saturday, June 14 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Saturday, June 21 - Gilrein's, Worcester MA

   Saturday, June 28 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Saturday, July 12 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Saturday, July 26 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Saturday, Aug 9 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Friday, Aug 29 - Barking Crab, Newport RI

   Saturday, Aug 30 - Barking Crab, Boston MA

   Saturday, Sep 5 - Barking Crab, Newport RI

   Saturday, Sep 13 - Barking Crab, Newport RI

   Saturday, Sep 20 - Barking Crab, Newport RI

   Saturday, Sep 27 - WMBR Radio, Boston MA

   Saturday, Sep 27 - *Barking Crab, Newport RI

   Saturday, Oct 4 - *Barking Crab, Newport RI

   Sunday, Oct 5 - Rebuilding New Orleans, Medford MA

   Saturday, Oct 11 - *Barking Crab, Newport RI

   Saturday, Oct 25 - *Barking Crab, Newport RI

   Friday, Nov 7 - Gilrein's, Worcester MA

   Saturday, Nov 8 - *Barking Crab, Newport RI

   Saturday, Nov 22 - *Barking Crab, Newport RI

   Saturday, Nov 29 - Chan's, Woonsocket RI

* Organ Trio

 

 
 

Listen to some clips from their upcoming CD of New Orleans R&B classics.

Photos at Blind Owl Photo Gallery.

To book the Chili Brothers, contact Bruce Mattson at 508-574-4891, or Tony Medeiros at 508-339-1493.

 

 
 

New Orleans Funk, R&B

New Orleans, Louisiana has always been a uniquely multicultural community. Only in New Orleans could the distinctly different cultural flavors, contributed by its African American, Caribbean, French Canadian, European, and Native American inhabitants, combine to create the rich gumbo from which such unmistakably American music as jazz, funk, R&B, and blues emerged.

Within this atmosphere many great innovators were free to try new things. Professor Longhair added a Caribbean zest to what had come before him, creating the rumba-esque style of piano-based R&B so closely associated with modern day Mardis Gras.

The funk bands of the 70's owe a heavy debt to the Meters; Art Neville, George Porter, Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste, and Leo Nocentelli were making it funky years before the major record labels made that scene. The many variations of funk rhythm found in the Meters' music are derived from the second line rhythm - that infectious, irresistible New Orleans parade beat responsible for attracting long lines of dancing revelers to funeral parades.

The preternaturally talented Neville Brothers have become the first family of the New Orleans music scene for good reason. Art, Aaron, Charles, and Cyril are direct descendants of the Mardi Gras Indian "tribesman" who helped define the culture and traditions associated with New Orleans. Their equally gifted progeny are fixtures of the Neville's touring band these days, and are worth checking out as solo artists.

Mac Rebennac, better known as Dr. John, was born, raised, and musically indoctrinated in the Big Easy during the heyday of its R&B scene. Originally a guitarist, he switched to piano by necessity rather than inspiration. A hand injury received while attempting to breakup a bar room brawl turned the tide for Mac, who has since become an irrefutable master of the traditional piano styles of New Orleans. His own compositions are a unique flavor of R&B, deeply marinated in the rhythms, harmonies, and textures of his youth.

More about the history of the music on its way. Check back in soon.