Mojo & The Bayou Gypsies is a band led by Mojo from Breaux Bridge Louisiana. Their music is a blend of zydeco, Cajun and their particular style which he calls Red Hot Mojo Music. Circa 2018, they consist of Mojo on vocals and Cajun accordion, Zydeco T Carrier on Frottoir, Greg Hirte on Cajun fiddle, Tee John Moser on drums, and Beau Brian Burke on bass.
Genre and musical style
Most classifications of their genre include zydeco and Cajun. "His music reflects the Louisiana and Cajun zydeco tradition, as well as New Orleans two-steps, rock & roll and blues rhythms". Other writers describe their music as "a musical mélange of Cajun, zydeco, rock and blues". and coming those styles in a "gleeful gumbo that he calls Red Hot Mojo Music..." His performances are characterized as energetic and charismatic. "...from the way he moves, it's obvious that he's still excited about what he's doing." With Zydeco and Cajun genres being closely associated with Louisiana culture, many of their performances during that time of the year have Mardi Gras themes.
Documentary
Filmmaker Joe Gallo has produced a documentary on Mojo titled "The Magic Behind the Mojo" According to Gallo, "I discovered his music searching for a soundtrack for 10 'Soldier Story' mini-documentaries created to engage support of the creation of a National Museum of the US Army. These stories of Army combat veterans were impactful and emotional and Mojo's composition 'Lights on the Bayou', a beautiful and haunting ballad in the Cajun style, was the perfect fit. This introduced me to Mojo and the discovery that there is more to his music and more to the man than his cajun accordion. This documentary looks into the making of a man who gives something everyday, lives life to the fullest, and all his friends are friends for life." When asked in a CBS "Great Day Washington" CBS television show interview at what point in the filming of the first project Gallo realized that Mr. Mojo is a movie in himself, Gallo said "Probably sometime during the first day of filming". The Mojo documentary project took approximately 2 years and was completed in the summer of 2018. It won various film festival awards.
The documentary was released at the first public screening November 13, 2018 at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Ft. Belvoir, VA, the future site of the National Museum of the US Army slated for opening in 2019.https://www.wusa9.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/the-magic-of-the-mojo/65-8310704?jwsource=cl November 12, 2018 WUSA9 CBS "Great Day Washington" Washington DC interview Retrieved 1/22/19
Gallo's ten mini-documentaries are archived at the Army Historical Foundation.
Mojo
Mojo is the vocalist, accordion player, songwriter, and a sort of "father figure" leader of Mojo & The Bayou Gypsies. He lives in Southwest Louisiana, outside of Breaux Bridge. "Mojo" is the only name he uses. When asked about his longer legal name he has said that "only the IRS and the police" know it. Mojo has been performing zydeco and Cajun music since 1974.
In collaboration with Frottoir maker Tee Don Landry, Mojo got the Frottoir (the zydeco washboard) inducted into the Smithsonian Institution Museum of North American History Folk Music collection. He's also an actor appearing regularly on CMT's TV show Swamp Pawn based in the Louisiana bayous and the star of the TV show Swamp Girls Gone Crazy which is about successful women entrepreneurs in that part of the country. Mojo also serves on the board of directors of NAPAMA (North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents) and is an International Music Ambassador for the State of Louisiana.
Charitable work has been a significant element for both the band and Mojo. "A portion of proceeds from every MOJO concert is donated to charity. And his work to benefit children is legendary. Mojo and his band deliver hundreds of performances each year to inner-city, underprivileged, and handicapped children." He is a recipient of three Shriners Hospitals for Children Humanitarian Awards.