He may have been crowned Emperor of the 2011 Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, but violinist-fiddler-composer and singer Tom Rigney and his band Flambeau have always been royalty at Ashkenaz. They hold court here almost monthly, playing the “hits” (Cajun, zydeco, and blues classics) as well as tunes from their latest popular CD, “Don’t Fight It.” Rigney says of this CD, “It’s a pretty eclectic mix of straight blues, swamp blues, jump blues, boogie-woogie, Memphis-style R&B, and a bunch of my original bluesy instrumentals.” Perfect for dancing!

Tom Rigney & Flambeau play traditional Cajun and zydeco two-steps and waltzes along with low-down blues and New Orleans R&B. What sets them apart is Rigney’s fresh musical takes on Cajun and zydeco, and other styles he loves to play from rock to classical, creating a celebration of life through dance rhythms. Flambeau is a tight ensemble of virtuoso musicians, with guitarist Danny Caron (Charles Brown’s bandleader; he and Rigney met when both backed up Rockin’ Sidney in the ’80s), boogie-woogie keyboardist Caroline Dahl, bassist and singer Steve Parks, and drummer Brent Rampone.