Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Abilene Bar and Lounge and Rochester Cajun Zydeco Network present…

Le Winston Band

Le Winston Band is a one-of-a-kind Montreal based ensemble that blends its French-Canadian roots with Zydeco and Cajun music. Le Winston Band will put on a show unlike any you’ve ever experienced, leaning into rural Acadian traditions yet steeped in a full bore Zydeco sound and feel, yet infused with some tasty Français Canadien sound.  Since 2012, due to a sound that is derived from both the rich musical traditions of Louisiana and their own identity as Montrealers, the group has been sharing their joie de vivre with audiences across North America and Europe. 

 In fact, when Le Winston Band plays Abilene on Wednesday June 12, they will just have returned from a major 11 stop tour of Europe.

 Le Winston Band delivers. Engages. Inspires. Intrigues. Captures. Thrills.

 United by their shared passion for Zydeco music, the five musicians intermingle sassy compositions and their own take on well-known traditional songs from Quebec and Louisiana. The powerful sound of the diatonic accordion supported by a typical “modern zydeco” lineup, electrifies audiences and ensures a warm and festive atmosphere that is guaranteed to get you off your feet and dancing.

 Le Winston Band is also known for their Mardi Gras celebration in Montreal. Since 2014, hundreds of people flock to this carnival-like event that takes place as winter draws to a close. Every year, costumed fans and musicians alike join together for a wild night filled with food, animation, music and dancing.

Not only has Le Winston Band shared their music from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Victoria, British Columbia but they have also traveled to perform in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Czechia and the United States. As of today, the group has performed over 600 concerts.

 After many pilgrimages to Louisiana, the group’s album Zig zag Zydeco Zoo was nominated for best world music album at both the ADISQ and GAMIQ galas in 2019. In 2022, their EP Enwèye à Lafayette won best world music album at the GAMIQ gala. That same year, the five musicians teamed up with producer Erik West-Millette and recorded Winston Express, a new record filled with original material that was released during the 2023 Mardi Gras festivities.

Zydeco music is music that is played by the creole peoples of southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. The use of the accordion and scrub-board help to distinguish zydeco music from many other styles of American dance music. Born out of blues and gospel, zydeco music takes inspiration from the French, Acadian, Indigenous, Spanish and English cultures that make up Louisiana’s rich musical history.

 All of this makes Zydeco music an incredibly rich and complex mix that fits right in with what we think of today as North American music. This music came about because of the resilience of southwest Louisiana’s black community in the face of atrocities such as slavery and racism just to name a few. Not only is Le Winston Band well aware of these origins, but their mission is to honor Zydeco’s pioneers and share this wonderful music amongst people and cultures who may not have stumbled upon Louisiana music before; all the while staying true to their identity as Montrealers from Canada.

 Le Winston Band | Zydeco | Montréal | Québec | Canada

Tickets: $20 on sale now at https://abilene.showare.com/ and tonight at the bar.