Francisco Reyes
Bass Guitar
Francisco "Rey Rey" Reyes Jr. started his musical life as a drummer. He played in various marching, rock and jazz bands through high school and college. Rey Rey's concurrent interest in latin percussion allowed him to play in some well regarded bands during salsa's 1970's heyday.
Rey Rey was introduced to the upright bass at 20 which he studied and played until picking up the bass guitar a few years later. Making the bass his primary instrument, he has played with many stylistically diverse groups over the years.
His interest in Cajun, and later Zydeco, music began after seeing Doug Kershaw performing his hit "Louisiana Man" on the Ed Sullivan Show. Though recordings of Cajun music were hard to find, Rey Rey still managed to keep his love of this music alive. After being introduced to recordings by Clifton Chenier the "King of Zydeco", Rey Rey discovered a new Southwest Louisiana music to fall in love with. His journey has come full circle now that he is playing bass in Sidewalk Zydeco with some of the best musicians and people he has ever been associated with.