Theryl DeClouet, the singer best known for his years-long tenure with Galactic and mentor to the funk band, has been living in Chicago since the flood associated with Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home. A bunch of his musical friends are having a benefit at Tipitina’s.
The word “legend” is bandied about by scribes covering the arts with a wild abandon more associated with college girls on Bourbon Street. Yet, sometimes there truly are legends living among us—or at least legends that wish to move back home and live among us. Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet is one such person.
His stint with Galactic began in the late 1990s soon after the four young musicians met him on the uptown music scene. Details of this are included in my book, Up Front and Center: New Orleans Music at the End of the 20th Century, which is available here. But his place in the music history of New Orleans was already secure—more details in the book!
After establishing himself as a first-rate front man on an international level, Galactic began moving in another direction, and the singer and the band parted amicably.
“Houseman” (pictured below left with Ivan Neville and Leo Nocentelli) has sat in with them a number of times over the years including in Chicago (and in Amsterdam as seen in the vid) since Katrina. However, he wants to move home. So, the band and numerous other performers are throwing a concert to raise some funds for the singer.
Besides Galactic, expect to see the Revivalists, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and keyboardist John Gros and guitarist June Yamagishi of Papa Grows Funk. Special guest musicians will be in the house as well.
See you there!
