Biography

SqueezeBox Boogaloo hit the Sydney scene in 1999 with its infectious zydeco rhythms.

Back in 1990, Geoff Tofler, then living in Boston, was blown away by the live sounds of Geno Delafose and Wayne Toups. Geoff contacted Randy Falcon in Louisiana to lay hands on two button accordions (Bflat and D), to add to a Hohner piano accordion.
Many trips to Louisiana and Escoheag, RI, and nights listening and dancing to zydeco at Bostons Johnny D’s and Harpers Ferry, led to Craw Not Craw. A favourite moment for Craw was opening for Buckwheat Zydeco at the Harpers Ferry Blues Festival in Boston.

When Geoff returned to Australia in 1998, establishing a zydeco band was a priority.   With SqueezeBox Boogaloo now having been around for more than 11 years  … put on your dancing shoes once more for SqueezeBox Boogaloo

Band Members

Ian Burgess

Ian was a member of Sydney original bands Paris Burning, Sleep and the Scream and Aravena. These bands gigged extensively in the 1990’s to the early 2000’s, with their independent recordings receiving airplay and the bands attracting a strong following. Paris Burning were signed by Robbie Porter’s label – Robbie produced/managed acts such as Daddy Cool, Air Supply and Marcia Hines. Ian has recorded with other renowned producers/engineers including Kevin “Caveman” Shirley, who has worked with the likes of The Darkness, Silverchair, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin and The Black Crowes.

Ian has also been a member of various Sydney cover bands from the mid 1990’s to now, including Soul Fever, The Collective, The Alanis Morrisett Show, The 80’s Show and One Night Stand.

Ian has gigged extensively in Sydney and throughout NSW, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and also Port Moresby. He has played at many Sydney venues, including the Entertainment Centre, The Basement, Selina’s (Coogee Bay Hotel) and many pubs and clubs.

Ian’s bands have played on the same bill or supported overseas artists, such as Meatloaf, andmany of Australia’s top acts, including Renee Geyer, Tommy Emmanuel, The Divinyls, The Angels, Baby Animals, Choir Boys, Russell Morris, Stevie Wright, Moving Pictures, Richard Clapton, James Reyne, Screaming Jets, Kevin Borich, Dragon, The Cockroaches, Hush and The Bombers (which included members of Status Quo and The Angels).

Ian has appeared on MTV and is listed in the book Who’s Who of Australian Rock, published by The Five Mile Press.

While his main focus has been on rock music, Ian has also performed at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and was a member of Art Geco, who came second in the Australian Bush Band Championships.

Robert Schiavuzzi
Robert’s steady drumbeat has graced a number of bands ranging from blues to Gilbert and Sullivan – Zydeco/Cajun is somewhere in between.

Eric Richard
Originally from Bordeaux, France, Eric spent some years in New Caledonia before coming to Sydney. Eric has played a variety of styles – reggae, soul, blues – but has immersed himself in the cajun and zydeco traditions. Our native French speaker.

Gentry Winters
Gentry hails from the U.S, bringing classical and bluegrass experience to the Cajun and Zydeco. She alternates between fiddle and rubboard, which she has picked up with great rhythm.

Raoul Hawkins
Raoul’s musical career has evolved from bass to brass – from rock to klezmer (he is also the founding member of Klezmer Connexion). He is great on alto and soprano saxophone as well as rubboard.

Alexander Tofler
Rubboard is Alexander’s chosen instrument, although he also shows a dance and vocal talent.

Geoff Tofler
Geoff grew up playing rock and blues piano. He now has 5 accordions, including 2 one row button accordions from Randy Falcon in Duson, Louisiana. 13 years in Boston, with frequent trips to Louisiana, led to Geoff’s long-standing love affair with zydeco. Favourite performers are Lyn August, Geno Delafose, Keith Frank, Nathan Williams, Zachary Richard and Steve Riley, together with the late Boozoo Chavis and Beau Jocque.