Le Pont
e-mail: olcajun@ij.net
Hot Line: (813) 986-7978
By now, most of you have heard about the tragic accident that took the life of Jimmy Domengeaux, guitar player for Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Here is the message we received the day after it happened.
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Dear Friends, I'm sure many of you have already heard. We have very sad news. Jimmy Domengeaux was killed early Monday morning, January 25th, in a motorcycle accident here in southwestern Louisiana. For the past four years as guitarist with Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, he was featured in performances and recordings heard around the world. His music career stretched back some 38 years, perhaps most notably with the band Black Dog. He also performed with Warren Storm, Cajun Heat, The Gumbo Cajun Band, Cheryl Cormier, amongst others. Jimmy was a gifted guitarist and a happy spirit. His smile and his high voltage solos lit up the stage wherever he played and his dynamic style was an intrical part of our sound. He was also a caring friend and a brother on the road. We speak not only for the band, but also the music community, and fans around the world, in sending our deepest condolences to his family in this sad time. He will be sorely missed. Jimmy was 44 years old. He is survived by his mother and father Mr. and Mrs. Murphy Domengeaux, sisters Letty Darbone, Judy Theriot and Nancy Baham, brother Jackie Domengeaux and daughter Javen Domengeaux, age 9. The family has asked that anyone wishing to make donations (for a trust that will be set up for Jimmy's daughter Javen) please send to: Murphy or Annie Domengeaux, 210 East Bridge Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517. For all of you who have called and written, the band appreciates your thoughts in this hard time. We will be sure to bring all your responses to Jimmy's family. I don't think they really realize what an impact he made on people all over the world.
Peter SchwarzManagement for Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys |
We went from a great high to a dismal low in January. C.J. Chenier was great at Skippers. Then, two weeks later we were all hit in the solar plexis with the news of Jimmy Domengeaux’ death. He will be missed, but Skippers and the Cajun Connection showed their character and commitment by raising $2,000.00 for the Trust Fund established for Jimmy’s nine year old daughter, Javen Domengeaux. Thank you to all the members who volunteered their time and money to make the benefit a success. A special thanks to Michael the doorman who worked as a volunteer that evening and twisted many an arm to help us succeed.
Filé really came through for us. They hustled to make the gig on Saturday night and agreed to play for a small fraction of their normal fee. Ward Lormand convinced his travel agent to donate a round-trip ticket and scrounged up every discount he could find to lower the air fare. Then the band played an inspired evening of music that turned a tragedy into a positive statement that was a fitting homage to Jimmy’s memory. File’, you are and always will be a Cajun Connection favorite.
We still didn’t know how to dance, but we didn’t care. The music was so wonderful we had to get up and do something, even if it meant looking completely foolish. At one point, when we were being completely crazy and exuberant, I looked up at the stage and saw Jimmy looking in our direction and laughing, not in derision, but in a way that let us know he was happy that we were having fun and loving every minute of the evening as much as we were.
From that point on, I always made a point of shaking his hand and welcoming him to town or thanking him for the wonderful music he, Steve, and the Mamou Playboys always provided us. He was never too busy for me. Were we close? No, we were aquaintances. But I do feel his loss at a personal level.
I have already spoken with several people who have related similar experiences with Jimmy. Hopefully, Steve Riley and the remaining Mamou Playboys will go on making wonderful music that transcends all genres, but those of us who had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy Domengeaux will miss him each time we gather to hear their music.
The Cajun Connection expresses its concern to the family and friends of Jimmy Domengeaux, a fine man and musician who left the world a better place.
Steve Riley Ticket Information
We were able to return all but $40 of the money we collected in exchange for tickets for the postponed Steve Riley concert. I could not remember who the $40 should go to, so I returned it along with the tickets to WMNF. If you are the person or persons that the money should go to and you want a refund, call WMNF at (813) 238-8001 or visit the station at 1210 E. Martin Luther King Boulevard and Darrin will return your money in exchange for the tickets. Thank you for your patience in this crazy, unpredictable situation.
Things
to do in February
On Saturday, February 13, we’ve got Gris Gris scheduled for Cafe on the Bayou. This is a Mardi Gras party, so you are encouraged to come in costume. Food will be served at 7:00 PM and we’ll dance from 8 until midnight.
Come the evening of Fat Tuesday, February 16, we’re all invited to Cafe Creole in Ybor City for another Mardi Gras Party with music by the Gumbo Boogie Band. There will also be Mardi Gras festivities in Dunedin for those of you who live in Pinellas.
On Saturday, February 20 we will be meeting in Ybor once again for the Illumination Parade. Cafe Creole has offered us their courtyard as a staging area, so we will be gathering there around 5:00 PM. Space on the Truly Nolan float is limited, so we will all have to take turns or maybe be prepared to walk. Be sure to have your beads and costumes ready. Call Eliska at 885-6366 if you have questions.
The Cajun Connection
PO Box 447
Tampa, FL 33592
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