Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas
8-12-2023
The music of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas is the expression of a remarkable South Louisiana family. Growing up in a Creole-speaking home in St. Martinville, Nathan Williams eagerly sought out the music of Zydeco originators such as Clifton Chenier. Later, while recovering from a serious illness, Nathan decided to dedicate himself to learning the accordion. That dedication blossomed into an illustrious career, which now spans three decades. Zydeco is the fast and furious accordian-driven dance music of the Creole people of South Louisiana, a relatively modern style that emerged after the Second World War. With it’s trademark rubboard percussion, electric guitars and R&B influences, Zydeco is distinct from the fiddle-driven music of neighboring Cajuns.
Dennis Paul Williams, Nathan’s brother, brings his jazz-influenced guitar chops to the band. He’s also a well-known painter whose work has been shown throughout the country, and has recently published a collection of his work. The eldest Williams brother, Sid ‘El Sid O’ Williams, is a Lafayette legend unto himself, and Zydeco would never have survived into the new millenium without him. Nathan’s cousin, Allen Williams, plays a 7 string bass! Nathan calls him “one bad dude!” Djuan Francis on rubboard and accordian is Nathan’s nephew and God Child. He has been traveling with the band since he was about 10 years old. And Clifford Alexander is the best rubboard player in the business. He was the original player with Nathan when the Zydeco cha chas were formed and after 23 years with C.J. Chenier Clifford has come home to play with Nathan again.
Nathan formed The Cha-Chas back in 1985 and since then has brought his unique take on this regional South Louisiana music to all corners of the globe. From Lincoln Center in New York to The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Nathan’s music has crossed all barriers to speak to the very heart of his audience.
Inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2005, he was honored last year with the Zydeco Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The Cha-Chas have been voted the top Festival Band in the country, and have won the coveted Big Easy award for Best Zydeco Band for several years running.
Nathan and his band have been featured in the New York Times, Essence and People magazines, and on the cover of USA Today. They’ve appeared in films like In The Electric Mist and The Kingdom of Zydeco, and worked with artists as diverse as Cindy Lauper, Michael Doucet and Buddy Guy.
Keepers of the Zydeco Flame, they are committed to keeping their Creole Heritage alive… - C’est Si Bon!
“Nathan Williams is still traveling on the same journey he’s always been on, motoring along in the finest vehicle in the fleet, putting out the best Zydeco in the business.” - No Depression
Bring your dancing shoes. Tables will be removed to make a dance space.
The music of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas is the expression of a remarkable South Louisiana family. Growing up in a Creole-speaking home in St. Martinville, Nathan Williams eagerly sought out the music of Zydeco originators such as Clifton Chenier. Later, while recovering from a serious illness, Nathan decided to dedicate himself to learning the accordion. That dedication blossomed into an illustrious career, which now spans three decades. Zydeco is the fast and furious accordian-driven dance music of the Creole people of South Louisiana, a relatively modern style that emerged after the Second World War. With it’s trademark rubboard percussion, electric guitars and R&B influences, Zydeco is distinct from the fiddle-driven music of neighboring Cajuns.
Dennis Paul Williams, Nathan’s brother, brings his jazz-influenced guitar chops to the band. He’s also a well-known painter whose work has been shown throughout the country, and has recently published a collection of his work. The eldest Williams brother, Sid ‘El Sid O’ Williams, is a Lafayette legend unto himself, and Zydeco would never have survived into the new millenium without him. Nathan’s cousin, Allen Williams, plays a 7 string bass! Nathan calls him “one bad dude!” Djuan Francis on rubboard and accordian is Nathan’s nephew and God Child. He has been traveling with the band since he was about 10 years old. And Clifford Alexander is the best rubboard player in the business. He was the original player with Nathan when the Zydeco cha chas were formed and after 23 years with C.J. Chenier Clifford has come home to play with Nathan again.
Nathan formed The Cha-Chas back in 1985 and since then has brought his unique take on this regional South Louisiana music to all corners of the globe. From Lincoln Center in New York to The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Nathan’s music has crossed all barriers to speak to the very heart of his audience.
Inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2005, he was honored last year with the Zydeco Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The Cha-Chas have been voted the top Festival Band in the country, and have won the coveted Big Easy award for Best Zydeco Band for several years running.
Nathan and his band have been featured in the New York Times, Essence and People magazines, and on the cover of USA Today. They’ve appeared in films like In The Electric Mist and The Kingdom of Zydeco, and worked with artists as diverse as Cindy Lauper, Michael Doucet and Buddy Guy.
Keepers of the Zydeco Flame, they are committed to keeping their Creole Heritage alive… - C’est Si Bon!
“Nathan Williams is still traveling on the same journey he’s always been on, motoring along in the finest vehicle in the fleet, putting out the best Zydeco in the business.” - No Depression
Bring your dancing shoes. Tables will be removed to make a dance space.