Celebrating the Birthday of Theryl "Houseman" DeClouet

Soul/R&B singer Theryl DeClouet was born in New Orleans on September 17, 1951. Also known as Houseman, DeClouet was best known as the one-time lead vocalist of the New Orleans funk and jazz group Galactic. But, he was more than that to band members who described him as a good friend, mentor, and musical collaborator. Declouet appeared on Galactic's first four studio albums as well as a live release and a compilation before health concerns forced his departure from the band and its heavy tour schedule. In 2001, he released “The Houseman Cometh” and in 2007, he released his independent solo effort, The Truth Iz Out, featuring support from longtime friend Ivan Neville and guitarist June Yamagishi. Sadly, Houseman passed away on July 15, 2018, at the age of 66. Today we celebrate his many contributions to New Orleans music and culture.

Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet from “The Houseman Cometh”

Celebrating the Birthday of Theryl "Houseman" DeClouet

Soul/R&B singer Theryl DeClouet was born in New Orleans on September 17, 1951. Also known as Houseman, DeClouet was best known as the one-time lead vocalist of the New Orleans funk and jazz group Galactic. But, he was more than that to band members who described him as a good friend, mentor, and musical collaborator. Declouet appeared on Galactic's first four studio albums as well as a live release and a compilation before health concerns forced his departure from the band and its heavy tour schedule. In 2001, he released “The Houseman Cometh” and in 2007, he released his independent solo effort, The Truth Iz Out, featuring support from longtime friend Ivan Neville and guitarist June Yamagishi. Sadly, Houseman passed away on July 15, 2018, at the age of 66. Today we celebrate his many contributions to New Orleans music and culture.

Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet from “The Houseman Cometh”

Celebrating the Birthday of Theryl "Houseman" DeClouet

Soul/R&B singer Theryl DeClouet was born in New Orleans on September 17, 1951. Also known as Houseman, DeClouet was best known as the one-time lead vocalist of the New Orleans funk and jazz group Galactic. But, he was more than that to band members who described him as a good friend, mentor, and musical collaborator. Declouet appeared on Galactic's first four studio albums as well as a live release and a compilation before health concerns forced his departure from the band and its heavy tour schedule. In 2001, he released “The Houseman Cometh” and in 2007, he released his independent solo effort, The Truth Iz Out, featuring support from longtime friend Ivan Neville and guitarist June Yamagishi. Sadly, Houseman passed away on July 15, 2018, at the age of 66. Today we celebrate his many contributions to New Orleans music and culture.

Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet from “The Houseman Cometh”

Dragon Smoke at The Mint on 12/3/19

Dragon Smoke is a band that formed as part of the New Orleans Jazz Fest tradition known as the “Superjam”. The “Superjam” idea is to put together a band of people who don’t normally play together and see what happens. With the dual vocals of Neville and Lindell, matched with the Galactic rhythm section, the band quickly realized, “We are on to something” and has played every Jazz Fest since it’s inception in 2003. This inception took place at the famed Dragon’s Den, hence the name of the band. 

The music centers around Lindell’s blue eyed soul , Neville’s funk and R&B, and Galactic’s groove. Besides a few trips to the West Coast, this band has been strictly playing in New Orleans. With everyone in the band being a leader on their own, it is rare to get this band together. And when it does, it shows that these guys are really having FUN! From the interplay between the members, you would think that Dragon Smoke has been playing shows forever. 

Dragon Smoke is looking towards the future, with plans to write and record an album and to do more touring outside of New Orleans and the Bay Area. So be on the lookout for the Smoke—IF YOU SEE SMOKE, YOU KNOW YOU WILL SEE FIRE!