Biography
Beau Jocque, born Andrus Espre on November 1, 1953, in Duralde, Louisiana, was a towering figure in the world of zydeco music, known for his powerful stage presence and innovative fusion of traditional Creole sounds with rock, funk, and blues. After serving nine years in the Air Force and working in an oil refinery, Espre suffered a serious work-related accident in 1987 that left him temporarily paralyzed. During his recovery, he began playing his father's button accordion, which sparked his musical journey. By 1991, he formed Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers, quickly gaining popularity for their energetic live performances and modernized zydeco sound. His band, which included his wife Shelly on rubboard, became one of the most in-demand acts on the Louisiana zydeco circuit, headlining major tours and festivals throughout the 1990s.
Beau Jocque's music was characterized by his gruff vocals, dynamic rhythms, and a willingness to incorporate rock guitar solos, blues-rock beats, and even rap lines into his songs. He recorded and performed in Louisiana French, Creole, and English, making his music accessible to a broad audience. His debut album, 'Beau Jocque Boogie,' became the highest-selling zydeco album of all time, and his subsequent releases cemented his reputation as a trailblazer in the genre. Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers won multiple Big Easy Music Awards and were celebrated for revitalizing zydeco for a new generation. Tragically, Beau Jocque died of a heart attack in 1999 at the age of 45, but his legacy as a transformative force in zydeco endures.
Fun Facts
- Beau Jocque's stage name means 'Big Guy' in Louisiana Creole, reflecting his large stature (6-foot-7, 270 pounds).
- Fans would throw pieces of cornbread onto the stage during performances of his hit song 'Beau Jocque Boogie,' which became a signature tradition.
- He was known for his poetry and advocacy for respecting nature, often incorporating these themes into his music and public persona.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Boozoo Chavis - Major zydeco influence and stylistic inspiration (Button accordion style, hypnotic riffs, two-step stomps) [1990s]
Key Collaborators
- Shelly Espre - Wife and rubboard player in the Zydeco Hi-Rollers (Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers) [1991–1999]
- Classie Ballou - Bassist in the Zydeco Hi-Rollers (Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers) [1990s]
- Ray Johnson - Lead guitarist in the Zydeco Hi-Rollers (Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers) [1990s]
Artists Influenced
- Contemporary zydeco artists - Inspired younger musicians to modernize zydeco with rock and funk elements (Various zydeco bands and albums post-1999) [1999–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Gonna Take You Downtown | 1996-01-01 | Album |
| Beau Jocque Boogie | 1993-05-19 | Album |
| Classics | 2003-01-01 | Album |
| Zydeco Giant | 1999 | Album |
| Pick Up On This! | 1994-03-28 | Album |
| This Is Beau Jocque! | 2001 | Album |
| Git It, Beau Jocque! (Live In Louisiana / 1994) | 1995-03-21 | Album |
| Check It Out, Lock It In, Crank It Up! | 1998-08-18 | Album |
| I'm Coming Home | 2000 | Album |
| Give Him Cornbread, Live! | 2000-08-08 | Album |
| My Name is Beau Jocque | 1994-01-12 | Album |
| Give Him Cornbread, Live! | 2000-01-01 | Album |
| Gonna Take You Downtown | 1996-01-01 | Album |
| Git It, Beau Jocque! | 1995-01-01 | Album |
| Pick Up on This! | 1994-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Give Him Cornbread (Beau Jocque Boogie)
- Give Him Cornbread (Classics)
- Just One Kiss (Gonna Take You Downtown)
- Cisco Kid (Gonna Take You Downtown)
- Beau Jocque Boogie (Beau Jocque Boogie)
- Don't Tell Your Mama, Don't Tell Your Papa (Pick Up On This!)
- Kinder 2 Step (Gonna Take You Downtown)
- Hucklebuck (Pick Up On This!)
- Gonna Take You Downtown (Gonna Take You Downtown)
- Beau's Mardi Gras (Beau Jocque Boogie)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
BEau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi Rollers has been played 5 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 3, 2025 | 13:11 | Cisco Kidfrom Gonna Take You Downtown | New Orleans Music Showw/ Missy Bowen | |
| Nov 30, 2025 | 13:50 | Cisco Kidfrom Gonna Take You Downtown | Cajun and Zydecow/ Charles Laborde or Jim Hobbs | |
| Nov 23, 2025 | 13:56 | Give Him Cornbreadfrom Git It, Beau Jocque! | Cajun and Zydecow/ Charles Laborde or Jim Hobbs | |
| Nov 16, 2025 | 13:46 | Slide and dip itfrom Workin It | Cajun and Zydecow/ Charles Laborde or Jim Hobbs | |
| Sep 17, 2025 | 22:18 | don't sell that monkey | Kitchen Sinkw/ A.J. Rodrigue and A.A. |