SWAMPERELLA - Publicity

Swamperella is not only Canada’s own Cajun/Zydeco band w 25 years under their shiny belts - Swamperella is an experience!

What puts the swamp into Swamperella?

Driving accordions -Gutsy fiddling- Sultry vocals and a Killer rhythm section that pumps out a ’cant sit still ’ authentic Cajun / Zydeco groove.

Whether acoustically, at back porch b b q s, street parties or in barns, or plugged in for large festival stages and massive corporate events, Swamperella will captivate audiences with infectious rhythms and impassioned melodies. Since 1997 Swamperella is known for spreading the Cajun/ Zydeco Gospel, both traditional and homegrown, all over Canada. The band has shared performances with notable trad. greats such as Tracy Scwartz and Louisiana’s own Mamou Playboys as well having been accompanied by The Niagara Symphony Orchestra!

With authentic pride in the Cajun and Zydeco tradition, Swamperella’s heart felt vibe and magnetic dance grooves, deliver unforgettable performances.

The hallmark of a Swamperella event is Fun! Fun! Fun!...and of course those enthusiastic crowds, big or small, that can’t help but bust out their dance moves!

Now, if you are wondering how you spell Swamperella? Try this.....P A R T Y ! Laisser faire’ is not part of the Swamperella vocabulary.

’Laisser les bons temps rouler!’- now that’s more like it!

Who is Swamperella?

Soozi Schlanger - fiddles, vocals and washboard
Peter Jellard - accordion, fiddles and vocals
Conny Nowe - rhythm guitar
Rachel Melas - acoustic and electric bass
Dave MacDougall - drums and percussion

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Reviews: What the critics say about Swamperella

LARSON'S GALLERY, Saturday's Big Party, July 7th, 2013, Larson Heinonen

. . . I came back to hear Swamperella play on the Main Stage. Their interpretations of old Cajun and Creole Ballads had the audience dancing and singing along. Those whose appreciation was less active (like myself), were clapping, moving in their seats to the beat or tapping their feet. I do not often see this kind of audience participation and appreciation in public venues but Swamperella is just that good. Swamperella promised us a good time and they delivered. I can not find adjectives to properly praise them. Today, when I go back to NLFB, I will buy one of their Cds. That's the best I can do. I want more Swamperella. They were far better than any big name at the Festival I have seen so far.

PENGUIN EGGS, Summer 2013, Issue No. 57, Doug Swanson

Who says you have to be born in the bayou to play authentic, inspired and zesty Cajun music? This Toronto-based zydeco unit consists of Soozi Schlanger (vocals, fiddle, washboard), Peter Jellard (vocals, accordion, fiddle), Conny Nowé (guitar) and Rachel Melas (bass).

This is an infectious, rollicking disc that justifies the exhortations on the album jacket to dance, dance, dance. There are a few originals, including the title track, a smattering of traditionals and a handful of covers - a classic gumbo. With only nine tracks, do you call it a long EP or a short album?

This is a terrific Cajun-themed release, the fourth in the band's history, a vibrant effort that deserves a listen from zydeco fans regardless of where they hail from.

LE CRI DU COYOUTE, Noix de Cajun, Juin-Juillet, 2013, No. 134, Bernard Boyat

". . . de la part d'un groupe non québecois, Swamperella (nom qui fait penser à Cinderella, ça sonnerait bien les Cendrillons des Bayous) . . . un quatrième album dans la vraie tradition cadienne. Pas d'interférences musicales incongrues ici, les six reprises sont bien dans l'esprit. Ils y ajoutent trois compos, qui semblent bien refléter les antécédents ou les goûts musicaux de leurs compositeurs : Leopard skin coat (Soozi) est un superbe rock'n'roll cadien, Le vieux vigneron (Peter), est un instrumental entraînant, un peu celtique, et Gander (Soozi) est plus zydéco. Voilà qui donne vraiment envie de connaître leurs parutions antérieures ... top notch "

NOW Toronto, New Releases, February 14-20, 2013, Issue 1621 Vol. 32 No. 24, Sarah Greene

Cajun/zydeco group Swamperella have an antidote to the winter blues: dancing. The band's fourth album is the perfect sound track for ice skating (something I personally tested out) or any activity involving movement.

Though they're from Toronto, the five piece display an exuberance and enthusiasm for Cajun music that's as infectious as it is DIY and punk rock - they aren't purists, and let bits of rock'n roll silliness slip in throughout the album's traditional Cajun tunes and originals sung in English and French.

The warm, live-sounding production makes Leopard Skin Coat sound like it could've been released at any point in the past 20 years, though some of the cover songs are much older than that. And it's not all a party. They end with a wailing, mournful rendition of the Balfa Brothers' Valse De Balfa.

Top track: Marid Gras Jig / Zydeco Est Pas Salé, Rating: NNNN (out of 5)

GOLDMINE, New Releases, September 30, 2005, Vol 31, No 20, issue 657, Hank Davis

Swamperella, the Toronto Cajun band, have just produced their second CD, Black Cat Boogie, and I'm falling in love with their music all over again ...The 17 tracks on Black Cat provide plenty of opportunity to dance, but they also remind you that Cajun music is often melodic and beautiful.... The disc kicks off with the joyous and infectious "La Crep A Nazare," which positively sizzles. Fiddle player Soozi Schlanger, who pours her Cajun soul into the vocals, offers a wonderful reading on "Braille Pas, Jolis Petits Yeux Bleux," a song as bluesy as it is beautiful...Special notice goes to the CD's closer, the amazing "Les Barres De La Prison." Ad some surface noise and it would be right at home on an anthology of Cajun music from 1932.

THE LIVE MUSIC REPORT, Review of Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, July 2005, Joyce Corbett

"A crowd pleaser? Oh yeah. This band had more people up dancing on the burning concrete of Nathan Phillips square than any group I’ve seen at the festival... they show themselves to be darned good musicians. Peter Jellard is a creative artist on button accordions ... Full review

PENGUIN EGGS, , Recordings, Spring 2005, Paul-Émile Comeau

"... This group paddles through the swampy terrain with a keen sense of direction. .... Soozi Schlanger's .... fiddle playing is gritty enough to sound authentic. Even if Swamperella wasn't close to being the only Cajun Band in Canada it would probably still be the best in the land"

NIAGARA HOT SPOTS.CA, WASHBOARDS AND WALTZES, Swamperella Wins Over Brock Crowd, Friday, March 18, 2005

"... Highlights of the evening included the sombre Braille Pas, Jolis Petits Yeux Bleus recalling the heartbreak of a young couple forced to separate by the girl’s parents, the self-described “corny” number and CD title track, Black Cat Boogie (“You know things are bad when you’re writing love songs to your pets,” quipped Schlanger) and the rollicking tribute to the Swamperella’s main haunt in Toronto, The Hotel Gladstone Two Step.... the band displayed a subtle versatility illustrating that they have an authentic understanding of Cajun music."

EXTRA, Indie Beat - review of Black Cat Boogie, December, 2004

"The band plays with high-spirited proficiency - its rather infectious. ... The sombre yet cozy instrumental Waltz of Too Many Goodbyes has an authentic feel and sound. The band softly caresses Schlanger's words on the splendid Waltz for One. Other killer tracks: Je t'Aime Encore and Hotel Gladstone Two Step."

JAMES WEGG REVIEW.COM, Niagara Symphony Orchestra Concert Review: Cajun Crew Warms the Heart, 2004. James Wegg

"Hmm, hmm, good! Chef Daniel Swift oversaw a delectable banquet of savoury sounds and musical fun as he steered the good ship NSO “Down the Mississippi into the Bayou” Saturday night. On board for the fast-paced excursion was the Cajun quintet “Swamperella,” whose down-home no nonsense stylings ....sizzled and swayed throughout Sean O’Sullivan Theatre. ... ... As lead fiddle, vocalist and artist in her other life, Soozi Schlanger oozes buckets of enthusiasm, zest and an infectious smile that makes it a pleasure to be in the same room. From the opening bars of “Bosco Stomp” it was clear that her vision and passion was equally shared by the rest of the group. Peter Jellard’s one-row button accordion, whether pumping out the tune or punching up the chords was a constant pleasure." Full review

NOW, Music Feature. Swamperella bring the swing of the South to Toronto, February 21, 2002, Sarah Liss

"(The) band opened for Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys (Festival du Voyageur, Winnipeg, 2002) 'the biggest Cajun band out of Louisiana'. One of the highlights of (the) trip was getting the thumbs-up from an authentic Louisiana Cajun band. Toronto's a far cry from the Bayou, so the Mamou Playboy's seal of approval gives Swamperella some down-home credibility."

GOLDMINE,New Releases: Björk, Passenger, Prince, Swamperella, B.B. King and more.., November 2001, Hank Davis

"This CD and the group that produced it are one of the sweetest musical surprises I've encountered in years....The last thing one expects to hear is a Cajun band playing the kind of music heard in a juke joint in Lafayette some 50 years ago. Swamperella has become a Cajun lightning rod. How good is this album? Comes very close to acoustic and follows some of the deepest Cajun traditions."

L'EXPRESS, Musique, August 12, 2001, Dominique Denis

"In this age of sampling, where sounds from around the globe have become little more than ingredients in a constantly changing gumbo, its pretty rare to find a musician who would show such concern for the integrity of her musical sources." Full article

THE TORONTO STAR, Arts & Entertainment Guide, March 22, 2001, Geoff Chapman

"The femme quotient makes for fascinating two-part harmonies on the CD -- Cajun country isn’t exactly a haven for female singers -- and the group has no problem incorporating languorous country licks, Celt-style fiddling and a touch of the blues, with most lyrics sung in Louisiana French." "This is the music of western Louisiana, authentic old style with a smattering of original material tossed into the southern stew. It’s sentimental to be sure, but pumps with life"

THE TORONTO STAR, Club Notes, February 18, 1999, Ben Rayner

" ...despite the purist aesthetic, Swamperella is hardly an exercise in dry musicology. This is, above all, a party band, and a spirit of wry fun cuts through even its most mournful material"

EYE MUSIC, August 13, 1998, Erin Hawkins

"There’s five of ‘em but singer / fiddle player Soozi Schlanger is the singular embodiment of Swamperella, a name that brings to mind a brassy dame tramping through the bayou with gators in tow, ball-gown covered in mud."

TORONTO WEST JOURNAL, February 1998, Doug Baker

"If you like to dance or enjoy country music check out the Cajun Dance nights at the Gladstone hosted by Swamperella. This is real country...."

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Swamperella - Past Performance Highlights

September 2019	Franco-Fête	Toronto, ON
August 2018	Union Station	Toronto, ON
July 2018	Commerce Court	Toronto, ON
August 2017	The Opinicon Resort	Elgin, ON
August 2016	Hot and Spicy Festival, Harbourfront	Toronto, ON
August 2016	Blue Skies Festival	Clarendon Station, ON
June 2015	TD Toronto Jazz Festival	Toronto, ON
August 2015	Cob and Cut Festival	Sault Ste. Marie, ON
July 2015	Franco-Fête, Dundas Square	Toronto, ON
June 2015	TD Toronto Jazz Festival	Toronto, ON
June 2015	Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival	Orangeville, ON
August 2014	World Pride Festival	Toronto, ON
June 2014	TD Toronto Jazz Festival	Toronto, ON
January 2014	Winterfolk	Toronto, ON
August 2013	Harbourfront Hot and Spicy Festival	Toronto, ON
August 2013	Toronto Music Garden	Toronto, ON
August 2013	Oakville Jazz Festival	Oakville, ON
July 2013	Northern Lights Festival Boréal	Sudbury, ON
July 2013	TD Toronto Jazz Festival	Toronto, ON
August 2012	Oakville Jazz Festival	Oakville, ON
August 2012	Taste of the Danforth	Toronto, ON
March 2012	Macdougall Concert Hall	Ormstown, PQ
March 2012	Irene's Pub	Ottawa, ON
February 2012	Mardi Gras at the Dakota Tavern	Toronto, ON
February 2012	l'Alliance Française	Toronto, ON
August 2011	Oakville Jazz Festival	Oakville, ON
August 2011	Concerts in the Park	Bobcaygeon, ON
August 2010	La Grande Rencontre	Montreal, PQ
August 2010	Stratford Summer Music	Stratford, ON
May 2010	Fort George	Niagara on the Lake, ON
March 2010	Silver Dollar Room	Toronto, ON
October 2009	The Ship	St John's, NFLND
August 2009	Summerfolk	Owen Sound, ON
August 2009	Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival	Oakville, ON
August 2009	Millrace Folk Festival	Cambridge, ON
July 2009	Festival du Loup	Penatanguishine, ON
June 2009	Toronto City Roots Festival	Toronto, ON
June 2009	Festival Franco Ontarien, Ottawa City Hall	Ottawa, ON
August 2008	Elora Festival for the Performing Arts	Elora, ON
August 2008	Voyageurs' Musicfest	Batchawana Bay, ON
February 2008	Club Regent Casino	Winnipeg, MB
August 2007	Riverfolk Music and Arts Festival	Manchester, MI, USA
August 2007	Stratford Summer Music Festival	Stratford, ON
September 2006	First Annual Leslieville Catfish Festival and Cook-Off	Toronto, ON
August 2006	Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival	Oakville, ON
August 2006	Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France	Quebec City, PQ
August 2006	Kelso Hall	Elgin, PQ
July 2006	Home County Folk Festival	London, ON
October 2005	The Lighthouse Festival Theatre	Port Dover, ON
Sept. 2005	Toronto City Roots Song Celebration	Toronto, ON
August 2005	Oshawa Jazz and Blues Festival	Oshawa, ON
August 2005	Hornby Island Festival	Hornby Island, BC
July 2005	Filberg Festival	Comax, BC
July 2005	Islands Folk Festival	Duncan, BC
July 2005	Mission Folk Festival	Mission, BC
July 2005	Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival	Toronto, ON
July 2005	Canada Day, Queen Victoria Park	Niagara Falls, ON
June 2005	National Jazz Awards, Phoenix Theatre,	Toronto, ON
June 2005	Ancaster Society of Performing Arts	Ancaster, ON
April 2005	Perth and District Collegiate Auditorium,	Perth, ON
August 2004	Canadian National Exhibition	Toronto, ON
August 2004	Musiques du bout du monde	Gaspé, PQ
July 2004	Millrace Festival	Cambridge, ON
July 2004	Festival du Loup	Lafontaine, ON
June 2004	The Lung Association's Breath of Hope	Skydome, Toronto, ON
Febuary 2004	Niagara Symphony	St Catharines, ON
Febuary 2004	Charles W Stockey Centre	Parry Sound, ON
Febuary 2004	Heritage Theatre	Brampton, ON
Febuary 2004	Sanderson Center for the Performing Arts	Brantford ,ON
Febuary 2004	Oakville Center of the Performing Arts	Oakville, ON
August 2003	New World Festival	Randolph, Vermont, USA
July 2003	Stan Rogers Festival	Canso, NS
July 2003	Chester Playhouse	Chester, NS
July 2003	Folk On The Rocks	Yellowknife, NWT
May 2003	dance with Tracy Schwarz	Toronto, ON
August 2002	Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival	Lunenburg, NS
July 2002	Calgary Folk Festival	Calgary, AB
July 2002	South Country Fair	Fort Macleod, AB
July 2002	Northern Lights Festival Boréal	Sudbury, ON
July 2002	Sunfest	London, ON
Febuary 2002	Festival du Voyageur	Winnipeg, MB
November 2001	Coup de coeur francophone, du Maurier Dance Theatre	Toronto
August 2001	Hot & Spicy Festival, Harbourfront	Toronto
July 2001	Harrison Festival of the Arts	Harrison Hot springs, BC
July 2001	I.C.A. Folk Fest	Victoria, BC
July 2001	Islands Folk Festival	Duncan BC
June 2001	Radio Canada - Northern Ontario, Open House	Toronto
May 2001	Black Sheep	Ottawa
March 2001	Harbourfront	Toronto
May 2000	Doors Open Toronto	Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
August 2000	Oakwood Festival of the Arts	Toronto
March 2000	20th Anniversary Fem Cabaret	Bluma Apel Theatre, Toronto
July 1999	Mémoire et Racines	Joliette, Quebec
June 1999	Mariposa in the City	Toronto
May 1999	Milk Festival International	Harbourfront, Toronto
February 1999	Festival du Voyageur	Winnipeg, Manitoba
October 1998	Ontario School Teacher's rally	Queens Park, Toronto (attendance: 40,000)
July 1998	Lilith Fair	Molson Place, Toronto
July 1998	Metro Hall	Toronto
June 1998	Gordon Best Theatre	Peterborough, Ontario
December 1997	First Night Harbourfront	Toronto
December 1997	Greenbank Folk Society	Greenbank, Ontario
September 1997	monthly dances start at the Gladstone Hotel	Toronto
August 1997	Music of the Americas	Harbourfront, Toronto
July 1997	Hillside Festival	Guelph Ontario
June 1997	Ontario Science Center	Toronto, Ontario

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