Andrus Espreé, known to the Zydeco Nation as Beau Jocque (which means Big Guy), was born on November 1, 1953 in Duralde, Louisiana.
Andrus Espreé, known to the Zydeco Nation as Beau Jocque (which means Big Guy), was born on November 1, 1953 in Duralde, Louisiana to Sandrus and Vernice (née Allen) Espreé.
His father (nicknamed "Tee Toe") was a well-respected accordion player who performed at many local dances, but who quit playing music when Andrus' older brother was born.
Lead singer of the Zydeco group Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi Rollers, he stood at an impressive 6’-6”, 270 pounds, and was known for his gruff vocals, his fusion of many musical styles onto zydeco, and above all, for the powerful energy of his rhythm and sound. Beau Jocque is credited with inventing the contemporary zydeco sound known as “nouveau zydeco.”
