zydeco/roots/R&B/...and more    Members:

Li'l Anne,  a.k.a.  Anne Stork:   Single and Triple Row Accordions and Vocals.   Anne fell in love with Zydeco music first as a dancer.  As a result, she brings a dancer's perspective to every song with driving accordion and vocals, varied tempos, and selections based upon the energy and feel that the dancers are displaying throughout the performance.  She values and supports the tradition and culture of the Louisiana musicians who have made Zydeco what it is today and who continue to bring new perspectives to the music.   Anne has studied the accordion in Louisiana with some of the great Zydeco families and her style comes from a deep love of the music and a commitment to maintaining an authentic approach and sound to her performances, even as she continues to inject her own personality.     Doug Chatman:   Drummer, Groovemeister, Analog Man in a Digital World... Doug, too is a dancer as well as a supporter of tradition.  He has played with some of the most popular Zydeco bands throughout his career, and he can frequently be seen playing with the Louisiana musicians who  make the trip to his native New England to play at venues such as the German Club in Pawtucket, RI.  His rock solid rhythms, with the just the right bounce, are the foundation on which the Cayenne's compelling dance groove is built.  Through wordless communication with Anne and the rest of the band, Doug is able to vary the tempo and feel of a song based upon the energy created by the dancers throughout each performance.  He can be contacted by analog telephone, boat, or horseback.  Cell phones, computers and GPS do not work near him for reasons which can't be explained by science.   Lew Papenfuse:   Electric Guitar and Vocals. Lew has always been a fan of traditional and roots music, and has played Zydeco, Cajun, Bluegrass, and Celtic music throughout his career, so is well acquainted with the festival scene.  He can often be found at festivals participating in the after hours jams playing a variety of instruments including guitar, bass, mandolin, and fiddle.  As the rhythm player for Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne, he is unshakeable - often considered to be the keystone of the rhythm section.  He can be relied upon to know directions to the gig, start times, where to find food, and to know the key and progression of songs which the band may not have performed in years, which sometimes makes it difficult to understand why he can't find his glasses. Paul Crowley:  Bass Guitar and Vocals. Paul has been an active musician in a variety of bands for years, playing acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, mandolin, and harmonica.  He has played Bluegrass, Country, Celtic, Blues, and other traditional styles after being introduced to the guitar at a young age by his uncle, Lew Papenfuse.  Early in his tenure with the Cayenne, Paul was captivated by the music and continues to study the bass, guitar, and the accordion, as well as the tradition and culture that created and sustains Zydeco.  In less than two years with the band he has been fortunate enough to travel to Louisiana and to play with greats such as Roy Carrier, Dikki Du, and Leroy Thomas.  He is not an entirely bad dancer, either. Phil Sanguedolce:   Vocals and Scrubboard. Phil is no stranger to Zydeco music, having fronted Chank-a-Chank, a noted Northeast Zydeco and Cajun group prior to his involvement with Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne.  He brings his own unique style and approach to songs such as Boozoo's "Broke and Hungry", and Beau Jocque's "Downtown", and has contributed to some of the band's original material, such as "Crazy Without You".   His lead and backup vocals and "in the pocket" rubboard playing are second to none.  He can be counted upon to provide a great show every time, and to leave his rubboard behind at the end of it.  Please visit our "contact" page if you have seen it.   Gary Graeff:  Guitar and Vocals. As the newest member of the Cayenne, Gary brings a wealth of musical experience and a great sense of humor to the band.  His lead and rhythm guitar playing are both tasteful and right on the money, always allowing space for the accordion to drive and direct the dance groove, yet he is fully capable of turning on the "shred machine" when called for as well.  He provides a fresh take on some of the old songs as well as continuing to bring new material to the band.  He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and can sometimes be seen playing drums or bass guitar with the Cayenne.  He carefully observes all speed limits and vehicle and traffic laws, so is occasionally late for gigs.  If you see him circling a venue looking for a legal parking spot, please help him out.