Big Mamou
11th St Bar510 E 11th St, New York 10009
Big Mamou brings its rocking mix of original and traditional Cajun, country, and zydeco to 11th St Bar. Accordionist and singer John Sherman fronts the group with singer Julianne Fenhagen. The band also features Michael Levine on guitar and pedal steel, Jim Fenhagen on upright bass, Billy Loos on drums, and Fred Parcells on trombone, with Steve Skinner newly added on acoustic guitar and piano. Expect a full-band set that moves among the group’s own material and songs rooted in its Cajun, country, and zydeco repertoire.
Big Mamou has made an impression at this room before: its Fat Tuesday performance last year packed the house and, according to the event information, “blew everyone away.” The ensemble’s sound is shaped by the combination of accordion, pedal steel, upright bass, drums, trombone, acoustic guitar, and piano, alongside the two singers at its front. Its latest album is Deux, documenting the band’s current work and available through Big Mamou’s website and Bandcamp page. No further biographical details, collaborators, or reviews are provided here, but this show presents the group in its expanded lineup.
A basement club in the East Village, 11th St Bar is a steady fixture for live music, hosting regular house band sets and long-running residencies. The room is a modest space where the audience sits on wooden benches, close enough to hear every note from the front row. Shows typically run from 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM, with multiple sets and a relaxed, conversational atmosphere. The bar is present, offering drinks to accompany the music, and the evening is a night out where people listen, talk, and share in the energy of the performers. It's a place where local musicians play with authenticity and warmth, and the audience is there to experience the music, not just watch it.