• Band Bio

Blue Orleans is a mixture of zydeco, Bourbon Street rock ‘n’ roll, blues, reggae, ska and Carribean, thrown in a pot of gumbo and mixed with the mardi gras spirit when they hit the stage.  Blue Orleans covers it all with seasoned pro experience and tight five-vocal harmonies.  Mixing New Orleans standards with a twist on some covers that will have the folks bumpin’ and grindin’ out on the dance floor.

Vaughn Cowden: Squeezebox , keys and vocals (Caribe & Common Ground).  Vaughn has played with numerous bands in Lawrence and Kansas City, but Caribe was the first to play real latin Carribean sounds in the midwest.  A prolific songwriter, vocalist & accordion player.

Michael Helton : KC sax and flute vet , started on the blues circuit centered around Minneapolis' West Bank after high school, then joined Guyana-born guitarist/singer John Bayley on tour throughout Colorado and Arizona.  Back in KC, Mike performed and recorded with groups including Max Groove, then toured extensively with the region's number one Caribbean band, Caribe where he met Vaughn, Paul, and Mike. 

Paul Matthews: Drums, assorted percussion and vocals (Caribe, Bagdad Jones and the Late For Dinner Band).  The drummer that never stops, Paul is the most in-demand rhythm man in the Lawrence & Kansas City area and has played on cds with some of the best.  An original member of Caribe, Love Squad and Bagdad Jones, one of the best of the funk bands.  Paul is the man!

Dave Learned: Bass and vocals (Baghdad Jones and L.A. Ramblers).  Dave, an original member of Baghdad Jones and L.A. Ramblers, brings to the table a bass style so propulsive and thumping, he’s a band within himself.

Mike Roberts: Electric and acoustic guitars and vocals (Blue Condition, Shake & Trick Bag) Out of Texas, Miker has traveled the south and the midwest playing acoustic / electric blues and slide guitar.  His vocals have the growl of Dr. John and his guitar playing shows years of performing.