SWAMPERELLA - Publicity

After 15 years of partying up crowds at the Gladstone Hotel, Swamperella has deserved its acclaim as a guaranteed good time. The eclectic demographic that is attracted to Swamperella’s monthly events attests to this acclaim. If you don’t think you want to dance, just listening to the band, and watching the crowd’s energy is almost as fun. But, dancing or not, you probably won’t be standing still - the Swamperella sound will not let you - and the scene will keep you smiling.

The original mandate of Swamperella, "to honour the Cajun music tradition", has never been compromised. The integrity of the traditional form and sentiment has always been maintained even as originals and Zydeco began seeping into the Swamperella repertoire. But there’s nothing stodgy about this band. The old time flavour stirred up in a brand new pot makes for a fabulous and rich musical experience and the Swamp-stew just keeps getting yummier. Our 2007 release - On The Line - is full of Sweet Cajun ballads, knock-out two steps, Creole, Zydeco, along with tasty surprises - standards such as Corrina with a New Orlean’s beat and originals such as Same Old You, Katrina - a twin fiddle memorial to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and The Frankenstein - a zinging Zydeco party tune (tongue in cheek reference to Zydeco King Keith Frank).

In February 2013, Swampella will release our 4th cd. Leopard Skin Coat features rocking Swamperella originals some classic Cajun and Creole favourites.

Swamperella can rock a festival tent with fabulous two-steps and zydeco faves, perform a riveting main stage concert and play acoustically, front porch-style, all in the same day. From Cajun twin fiddling and rustic solo accordion, to rockin’ washboard-driven Zydeco originals and traditional tunes, the Swamp experience is exciting, heartfelt and authentic.

Listen up...and don’t be surprised if your berkenstocks don't suddenly turn into party shoes!

Swamperella is:

Soozi Schlanger - fiddles, vocals and washboard
Peter Jellard - accordion, fiddles and vocals
Conny Nowe - acoustic guitar
Rachel Melas - string and electric bass
Dave MacDougall - triangle and drums

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To enquire about bookings, please or mail us at:

SWAMPERELLA
P.O. Box # 90036
1488 Queen Street West
Toronto ON Canada
M6K 1M4

to join our mailing list for official SWAMPERELLA updates!

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Reviews: What the critics say about Swamperella

GOLDMINE, New Releases, September 30, 2005, Vol 31, No 20, issue 657, Hank Davis

Swamperella, the Toronto Cajun band, have just produced their second CD, Black Cat Boogie, and I'm falling in love with their music all over again ...The 17 tracks on Black Cat provide plenty of opportunity to dance, but they also remind you that Cajun music is often melodic and beautiful.... The disc kicks off with the joyous and infectious "La Crep A Nazare," which positively sizzles. Fiddle player Soozi Schlanger, who pours her Cajun soul into the vocals, offers a wonderful reading on "Braille Pas, Jolis Petits Yeux Bleux," a song as bluesy as it is beautiful...Special notice goes to the CD's closer, the amazing "Les Barres De La Prison." Ad some surface noise and it would be right at home on an anthology of Cajun music from 1932.

THE LIVE MUSIC REPORT, Review of Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, July 2005, Joyce Corbett

"A crowd pleaser? Oh yeah. This band had more people up dancing on the burning concrete of Nathan Phillips square than any group I’ve seen at the festival... they show themselves to be darned good musicians. Peter Jellard is a creative artist on button accordions ... Full review

PENGUIN EGGS, , Recordings, Spring 2005, Paul-Émile Comeau

"... This group paddles through the swampy terrain with a keen sense of direction. .... Soozi Schlanger's .... fiddle playing is gritty enough to sound authentic. Even if Swamperella wasn't close to being the only Cajun Band in Canada it would probably still be the best in the land"

NIAGARA HOT SPOTS.CA, WASHBOARDS AND WALTZES, Swamperella Wins Over Brock Crowd, Friday, March 18, 2005

"... Highlights of the evening included the sombre Braille Pas, Jolis Petits Yeux Bleus recalling the heartbreak of a young couple forced to separate by the girl’s parents, the self-described “corny” number and CD title track, Black Cat Boogie (“You know things are bad when you’re writing love songs to your pets,” quipped Schlanger) and the rollicking tribute to the Swamperella’s main haunt in Toronto, The Hotel Gladstone Two Step.... the band displayed a subtle versatility illustrating that they have an authentic understanding of Cajun music."

EXTRA, Indie Beat - review of Black Cat Boogie, December, 2004

"The band plays with high-spirited proficiency - its rather infectious. ... The sombre yet cozy instrumental Waltz of Too Many Goodbyes has an authentic feel and sound. The band softly caresses Schlanger's words on the splendid Waltz for One. Other killer tracks: Je t'Aime Encore and Hotel Gladstone Two Step."

JAMES WEGG REVIEW.COM, Niagara Symphony Orchestra Concert Review: Cajun Crew Warms the Heart, 2004. James Wegg

"Hmm, hmm, good! Chef Daniel Swift oversaw a delectable banquet of savoury sounds and musical fun as he steered the good ship NSO “Down the Mississippi into the Bayou” Saturday night. On board for the fast-paced excursion was the Cajun quintet “Swamperella,” whose down-home no nonsense stylings ....sizzled and swayed throughout Sean O’Sullivan Theatre. ... ... As lead fiddle, vocalist and artist in her other life, Soozi Schlanger oozes buckets of enthusiasm, zest and an infectious smile that makes it a pleasure to be in the same room. From the opening bars of “Bosco Stomp” it was clear that her vision and passion was equally shared by the rest of the group. Peter Jellard’s one-row button accordion, whether pumping out the tune or punching up the chords was a constant pleasure." Full review

NOW, Music Feature. Swamperella bring the swing of the South to Toronto, February 21, 2002, Sarah Liss

"(The) band opened for Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys (Festival du Voyageur, Winnipeg, 2002) 'the biggest Cajun band out of Louisiana'. One of the highlights of (the) trip was getting the thumbs-up from an authentic Louisiana Cajun band. Toronto's a far cry from the Bayou, so the Mamou Playboy's seal of approval gives Swamperella some down-home credibility."

GOLDMINE,New Releases: Björk, Passenger, Prince, Swamperella, B.B. King and more.., November 2001, Hank Davis

"This CD and the group that produced it are one of the sweetest musical surprises I've encountered in years....The last thing one expects to hear is a Cajun band playing the kind of music heard in a juke joint in Lafayette some 50 years ago. Swamperella has become a Cajun lightning rod. How good is this album? Comes very close to acoustic and follows some of the deepest Cajun traditions."

L'EXPRESS, Musique, August 12, 2001, Dominique Denis

"In this age of sampling, where sounds from around the globe have become little more than ingredients in a constantly changing gumbo, its pretty rare to find a musician who would show such concern for the integrity of her musical sources." Full article

THE TORONTO STAR, Arts & Entertainment Guide, March 22, 2001, Geoff Chapman

"The femme quotient makes for fascinating two-part harmonies on the CD -- Cajun country isn’t exactly a haven for female singers -- and the group has no problem incorporating languorous country licks, Celt-style fiddling and a touch of the blues, with most lyrics sung in Louisiana French." "This is the music of western Louisiana, authentic old style with a smattering of original material tossed into the southern stew. It’s sentimental to be sure, but pumps with life"

THE TORONTO STAR, Club Notes, February 18, 1999, Ben Rayner

" ...despite the purist aesthetic, Swamperella is hardly an exercise in dry musicology. This is, above all, a party band, and a spirit of wry fun cuts through even its most mournful material"

EYE MUSIC, August 13, 1998, Erin Hawkins

"There’s five of ‘em but singer / fiddle player Soozi Schlanger is the singular embodiment of Swamperella, a name that brings to mind a brassy dame tramping through the bayou with gators in tow, ball-gown covered in mud."

TORONTO WEST JOURNAL, February 1998, Doug Baker

"If you like to dance or enjoy country music check out the Cajun Dance nights at the Gladstone hosted by Swamperella. This is real country...."

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Swamperella - Past Performance Highlights

August 2012	Oakville Jazz Festival	Oakville, ON
August 2012	Taste of the Danforth	Toronto, ON
March 2012	Macdougall Concert Hall	Ormstown, PQ
March 2012	Irene's Pub	Ottawa, ON
February 2012	Mardi Gras at the Dakota Tavern	Toronto, ON
February 2012	l'Alliance Française	Toronto, ON
August 2011	Oakville Jazz Festival	Oakville, ON
August 2011	Concerts in the Park	Bobcaygeon, ON
August 2010	La Grande Rencontre	Montreal, PQ
August 2010	Stratford Summer Music	Stratford, ON
May 2010	Fort George	Niagara on the Lake, ON
March 2010	Silver Dollar Room	Toronto, ON
October 2009	The Ship	St John's, NFLND
August 2009	Summerfolk	Owen Sound, ON
August 2009	Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival	Oakville, ON
August 2009	Millrace Folk Festival	Cambridge, ON
July 2009	Festival du Loup	Penatanguishine, ON
June 2009	Toronto City Roots Festival	Toronto, ON
June 2009	Festival Franco Ontarien, Ottawa City Hall	Ottawa, ON
August 2008	Elora Festival for the Performing Arts	Elora, ON
August 2008	Voyageurs' Musicfest	Batchawana Bay, ON
February 2008	Club Regent Casino	Winnipeg, MB
August 2007	Riverfolk Music and Arts Festival	Manchester, MI, USA
August 2007	Stratford Summer Music Festival	Stratford, ON
September 2006	First Annual Leslieville Catfish Festival and Cook-Off	Toronto, ON
August 2006	Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival	Oakville, ON
August 2006	Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France	Quebec City, PQ
August 2006	Kelso Hall	Elgin, PQ
July 2006	Home County Folk Festival	London, ON
October 2005	The Lighthouse Festival Theatre	Port Dover, ON
Sept. 2005	Toronto City Roots Song Celebration	Toronto, ON
August 2005	Oshawa Jazz and Blues Festival	Oshawa, ON
August 2005	Hornby Island Festival	Hornby Island, BC
July 2005	Filberg Festival	Comax, BC
July 2005	Islands Folk Festival	Duncan, BC
July 2005	Mission Folk Festival	Mission, BC
July 2005	Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival	Toronto, ON
July 2005	Canada Day, Queen Victoria Park	Niagara Falls, ON
June 2005	National Jazz Awards, Phoenix Theatre,	Toronto, ON
June 2005	Ancaster Society of Performing Arts	Ancaster, ON
April 2005	Perth and District Collegiate Auditorium,	Perth, ON
August 2004	Canadian National Exhibition	Toronto, ON
August 2004	Musiques du bout du monde	Gaspé, PQ
July 2004	Millrace Festival	Cambridge, ON
July 2004	Festival du Loup	Lafontaine, ON
June 2004	The Lung Association's Breath of Hope	Skydome, Toronto, ON
Febuary 2004	Niagara Symphony	St Catharines, ON
Febuary 2004	Charles W Stockey Centre	Parry Sound, ON
Febuary 2004	Heritage Theatre	Brampton, ON
Febuary 2004	Sanderson Center for the Performing Arts	Brantford ,ON
Febuary 2004	Oakville Center of the Performing Arts	Oakville, ON
August 2003	New World Festival	Randolph, Vermont, USA
July 2003	Stan Rogers Festival	Canso, NS
July 2003	Chester Playhouse	Chester, NS
July 2003	Folk On The Rocks	Yellowknife, NWT
May 2003	dance with Tracy Schwarz	Toronto, ON
August 2002	Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival	Lunenburg, NS
July 2002	Calgary Folk Festival	Calgary, AB
July 2002	South Country Fair	Fort Macleod, AB
July 2002	Northern Lights Festival Boréal	Sudbury, ON
July 2002	Sunfest	London, ON
Febuary 2002	Festival du Voyageur	Winnipeg, MB
November 2001	Coup de coeur francophone, du Maurier Dance Theatre	Toronto
August 2001	Hot & Spicy Festival, Harbourfront	Toronto
July 2001	Harrison Festival of the Arts	Harrison Hot springs, BC
July 2001	I.C.A. Folk Fest	Victoria, BC
July 2001	Islands Folk Festival	Duncan BC
June 2001	Radio Canada - Northern Ontario, Open House	Toronto
May 2001	Black Sheep	Ottawa
March 2001	Harbourfront	Toronto
May 2000	Doors Open Toronto	Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
August 2000	Oakwood Festival of the Arts	Toronto
March 2000	20th Anniversary Fem Cabaret	Bluma Apel Theatre, Toronto
July 1999	Mémoire et Racines	Joliette, Quebec
June 1999	Mariposa in the City	Toronto
May 1999	Milk Festival International	Harbourfront, Toronto
February 1999	Festival du Voyageur	Winnipeg, Manitoba
October 1998	Ontario School Teacher's rally	Queens Park, Toronto (attendance: 40,000)
July 1998	Lilith Fair	Molson Place, Toronto
July 1998	Metro Hall	Toronto
June 1998	Gordon Best Theatre	Peterborough, Ontario
December 1997	First Night Harbourfront	Toronto
December 1997	Greenbank Folk Society	Greenbank, Ontario
September 1997	monthly dances start at the Gladstone Hotel	Toronto
August 1997	Music of the Americas	Harbourfront, Toronto
July 1997	Hillside Festival	Guelph Ontario
June 1997	Ontario Science Center	Toronto, Ontario

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