Gator Beat

Gator Beat is now in its 19th year of playing full-tilt party dance music. Their mostly original songs are powered by the group’s own gumbo of dance rhythms: a blend of Louisiana Cajun and zydeco, a touch of New Orleans funk, and, as the band itself proclaims, “a beat that bites.” Tunes come from the five Gator Beat CDs, including the 2006 release, “Keep on Smilin’.” Dedicated to the band’s late founder, Richard Domingue, who died in July 2005, the CD features songs written by Domingue. Gator Beat is a culturally and stylistically mixed crew, with Zydeco Flames founder Bruce Gordon on accordion, guitarist Randy Quan, bassist Linda Hutchinson, washboard player Willard Blackwell, Puerto Rican drummer Luis Rodriguez, and Australia native David Scott on saxophone, pennywhistle, and percussion.