Beau Jocque
Encyclopedia
Beau Jacques was an American zydeco
musician active in the 1990s.
Beau Jacques is known for his gruff vocals, his fusion of many musical styles onto zydeco, and above all, for the powerful energy of his rhythm and sound. Backed by the Hi-Rollers, he became one of the top dance-hall acts of his musical decade.
Beau Jacques died in his car, of a heart attack at the height of his career. He is buried in Saint Matildas Cemetery, Eunice, Louisiana
.
, then came home to work as an electrician and welder. After a work-related accident, which left him bedridden for a time, he began playing accordion. Soon after, he put a band together, including his wife, Shelly on rubboard. By 1989, just two years after his accident, Espree was one of the biggest draws on the Louisiana
zydeco circuit.
Andrus grew up speaking Louisiana French and spoke it fluently. A large man (6'6" and 270 pounds) he took the stage name "Beau Jacques," which is Louisiana Creole
for "Big Guy." After only a few years, he had revolutionized the zydeco scene, adding funk
and rock elements with his band, the Hi-Rollers. His lifestyle caught up with him, however, and after only a few years of regional stardom he died of a heart attack in 1999.
Zydeco
Zydeco is a form of uniquely American roots or folk music. It evolved in southwest Louisiana in the early 19th century from forms of "la la" Creole music...
musician active in the 1990s.
Beau Jacques is known for his gruff vocals, his fusion of many musical styles onto zydeco, and above all, for the powerful energy of his rhythm and sound. Backed by the Hi-Rollers, he became one of the top dance-hall acts of his musical decade.
Beau Jacques died in his car, of a heart attack at the height of his career. He is buried in Saint Matildas Cemetery, Eunice, Louisiana
Eunice, Louisiana
Eunice is a city in Acadia, Evangeline and St. Landry parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 11,499 at the 2000 census.The St...
.
Biography
Beau Jacques was born Andrus Esprit. He was also known to write poetry, and preach about respecting nature. He spent nine years in the Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, then came home to work as an electrician and welder. After a work-related accident, which left him bedridden for a time, he began playing accordion. Soon after, he put a band together, including his wife, Shelly on rubboard. By 1989, just two years after his accident, Espree was one of the biggest draws on the Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
zydeco circuit.
Andrus grew up speaking Louisiana French and spoke it fluently. A large man (6'6" and 270 pounds) he took the stage name "Beau Jacques," which is Louisiana Creole
Louisiana Creole French
Louisiana Creole is a French Creole language spoken by the Louisiana Creole people of the state of Louisiana. The language consists of elements of French, Spanish, African, and Native American roots.-Geography:...
for "Big Guy." After only a few years, he had revolutionized the zydeco scene, adding funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
and rock elements with his band, the Hi-Rollers. His lifestyle caught up with him, however, and after only a few years of regional stardom he died of a heart attack in 1999.