His father, Sandrus Espre, played the accordion, but Jocque had little to do with zydeco music, as his interests leaned more toward rock and funk. Jocque, who was born Andrus Espre in Duralde, Louisiana, had no thoughts of becoming a musician in his younger years. A newcomer to zydeco music late in life, Jocque drew on his interests in rock, soul, funk, blues, reggae, and hip-hop, to become one the biggest names in zydeco in the 1990s, as well as one of genre's finest innovators of 'noveau zydeco.' When Jocque died suddenly of a heart attack in 1999, he had established a legacy and changed zydeco music during the course of his short musical career. It was reported that the dance floor at one of his shows rose eight inches as dancers matched the driving rhythms of Jocque's accordion. With his band the Zydeco Hi-Rollers, Jocque's live performances on the 'crawfish circuit,' the area from southwest Louisiana to east Texas, attracted a large and enthusiastic following. Born Andrus Espre on November 1, 1953, in Duralde, LA died on September 10, 1999, in Kinder, LA son of Sandrus Espre (an accordion player) married Michelle (Shelly) children: Andrus Adrian and Justin Travis.īeau Jocque is credited with bringing new vitality to zydeco music through his bold and energetic rise on the Creole dancehall scene in the 1990s.

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