I spent a lot of time with the Neville Brothers and Dr. John and different people. They play different styles of music, and it allowed me to learn different styles.
The French-Cajun culture is similar to mine - they're Catholic, they play accordions, and they eat hot chiles.
I grew up listening to the Neville Brothers and the Rebirth Brass Band.
New Orleans is gumbo. You get so man types of things... jazz, folk, Zydeco.
My father's record collection was full of New Orleans music of all kinds. I used to listen to the radio in New York, and all there was on it at the time was Madonna and Michael Jackson, so it sort of passed me by.
That's the way New Orleans is. It's driven by the music.
Music and dance is part of everything in New Orleans. So I grew up appreciating it all.
Being from South Louisiana, we're just kind of rootsy.
In New Orleans, music is part of the culture. You're raised with it, from the cradle to the grave, and all in-between.
I've always loved New Orleans music. I always loved it when the Neville Brothers opened up for the Grateful Dead and the Dirty Dozen and all that.
All New Orleans music is based off dance music, even jazz.
