The Bayou Community Band is a musical band of Bayou Critters that are featured in the attraction Tiana's Bayou Adventure at the Disney Parks.
Background[]
The Bayou Community Band was a community band of animal musicians living on the bayou outside New Orleans, Louisiana during the late 1920s. Members of the Community Band appeared to also be members of other critter-based bands in the Bayou, such as the Zydeco Critter Band, Rara Critter Musicians, and the Afro-Cuban Musicians. The band was known to perform at the Critter Co-Op, associated with Tiana and her business, Tiana's Foods.
Members[]
- Zydeco Critter Band
- Timoléon the Otter: He is the eldest of the band, but Timoléon's fiddle-playing is inspired by all the "kids" he spends his time around while in the bayou. When he's not sawing out a jig, he is famous for telling stories of days long ago about his explorations of every corner of the bayou.
- Apollo the Raccoon: Apollo loves transforming abandoned objects into works of musical art – like his squeezebox. He is full of energy and storytelling, especially about the objects he finds in the bayou. He's particularly close with Rufus and appreciates Rufus' calm demeanor.
- Rufus the Turtle: Rufus may be a turtle, but he is quick to jump into rhythm with his harmonica. He's also the first to join in on new adventures! He is genuine and sincere but may come across as a little sarcastic at times with his habitual sighing. Rufus loves going on adventures with Apollo.
- Byhalia the Beaver: Byhalia doesn't just build dams; she helps build musical instruments using natural materials from the bayou. As a strong-willed percussionist, it's safe to say Byhalia is the heartbeat of the band, as well as a natural designer and engineer.
- Gritty the Rabbit: Always willing to dig a little deeper to help others, Gritty plays the washboard (a found automobile license plate) with a high-energy flair. It's the perfect instrument for someone who’s often overzealous and digs to relieve her nerves.
- Beau the Possum: Seeing limitless possibilities, no one finds more wonder in the bayou and the sounds of zydeco music than Beau. All she knows is beauty, especially her own. You can find her plucking out the low notes with her upright gourd bass, which, of course, involves some musical dexterity with her tail.
- Rara Critter Musicians
- Octavia the Bobcat: Octavia plays the vaksin, a single-note horn instrument popular in Rara music. She’s an adventurous bobcat kitten, and she loves climbing and hanging out in trees almost as much as she loves performing. This daredevil almost never gets scared.
- Pawpaw the Bobcat: Not only is Pawpaw Octavia's devoted grandfather, but he also taught her how to play the vaksin! Pawpaw lives to make Octavia smile and has the view that everything has a way of working itself out – he’s seen it all but isn’t jaded.
- Claude the Louisiana Black Bear: Claude is a salt of the earth kind of bear (or, as they say in the bayou, "Salt of the mound") who plays his horn along with the other members of his family. He’s a tinkerer who loves to create with things found in the forest, and is frequently funny without intending to be, especially when it comes to his home-grown creations.
- Bernadette the Louisiana Black Bear: Bernadette loves to enjoy life, from splashing in the waters of her bayou home with her cub, Sebastián, to playing the horn with her mate, Claude. She's a clear thinker and is warm and supportive. Bernadette loves to sink into the bayou waters and munch on plants (so long as Sebastián is clearly within sight).
- Sebastián the Louisiana Black Bear: Though he’s definitely a "mama's cub," Sebastián charted his own musical course as a drummer, despite his parents being devoted horn players. He’s happy to follow his friend Octavia's adventurous lead as they explore and play, and is fascinated with the small details in the bayou, like the insects and mushrooms.
- Phina the Gray Fox: Phina's enthusiasm extends beyond her drumming, as she's constantly thinking of new ideas with optimism and energy! This imaginative fox is continually starting new projects with excitement, and her friends accept and celebrate her unique thinking.
- Afro-Cuban Musicians
- Felipe the Frog: Deep among the cypress trees, you'll hear band leader Felipe making musical magic on the piano! Felipe is also the proprietor of an exclusive bayou night club, where the local fireflies love to dance the night away to a musical recipe of hot rhythms and spicy melodies. He's an old-school family guy, especially to his "family" in the band.
- Mayra the Frog: Have you ever seen a frog play a flower blossom like a trumpet? You will when you meet Mayra; be sure to stick around for one of her toe-tapping solos. Mayra's the most ambitious of the four frogs and has been practicing her instrument since she was just a tadpole!
- Mondo the Frog: Mondo is a natural on the conga drums, which he made as a happy accident when his favorite bottle cap got stuck on his second-favorite acorn. From there, the rhythm in Mondo's soul took over! He’s very copacetic and accepts what comes, a trait as steady and reliable as his drumbeat.
- Isabel the Green Tree Frog: Learning from Mondo's example, Isabel loves getting lost in the music playing her congas. She’s the youngest member of the group, and there’s nothing she loves more than “going with the flow” and getting to play drums all night long!
- Lari the Armadillo: This mischievous fella, while quiet in demeanor, seems to always show up where you least expect him to. I hear he has a habit of "borrowing" things that aren't his (although those things eventually make it into the right "paws").
Appearances[]
Critter Co-Op[]
There is a promotion for the Bayou Community Band playing nightly at the co-op, along with references to its individual members.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure[]
Posters of The Bayou Community Band can be spotted at the exit queue of the attraction.
