For the past few years, festival goers in the Northeast of the USA have become accustomed to seeing a young rub board Zydeco artist in front of and on the stage at the Springtime Family Cajun and Zydeco Festival in NY and at the Strawberry Park Bayou Blast Festival in Preston, CT. That young boy is Noam Guerrier Freud of Montreal, Canada. As a young Canadian, Noam presents an unusual profile for a rub board player. Although Zydeco band members frequently begin at such a young age, they typically are of Creole decent and grow up in the French speaking Louisiana Creole culture. Noam, at 10 years old, hails from Canada and speaks French. His roots are Japanese, British, Jewish and German.

When on stage, Noam goes by the nickname of "Hot Sauce" - a moniker bestowed upon him by Harold Gillory, a renowned rub board player formally with Chris Ardoin's band. Hot Sauce is talented and the Louisiana Zydeco bands enjoy inviting him on stage to play with them.

Noam was first introduced to Zydeco music as an infant carried on his dad's (Pierre) at the Louisiana stage at the Montreal Jazz festivals. During a visit to LA, Pierre bought a rub board for his young son. Noam immediately took an interest and began emulating the rub board players at the festivals. His dad shared with me the story of Noam's first solo with Rosie Ledet and her band at the Ottawa Folk Festival. Rosie's dad ( the band's rub board player) was sick and unable to play. Rosie began the set without a rub board player but quickly noticed the little boy keeping pace with the band. She asked security to bring Noam up on stage. Noam played the entire set for Rosie at the venue and she publicly acknowledged his talent by telling him if he ever wanted a job, she'd hire him.

I had the opportunity to chat with Noam at the Strawberry Park Bayou Blast. Here is what Noam had to say:

Chris: How old are you, Noam?
How long have you been playing Zydeco?
Noam: I am 10 years old and I have been playing Zydeco for a couple of years.

Chris: What got you interested in the rub board?
Noam: I got interested when my father brought a rub board back to me from his trip to Lousiana

Chris: Why do you like the rub board?
Noam: Because it sounds KOOL.

Chris: Do you practice at home?
Noam: No, only at the festivals. We do have a lot of the music at home and I do listen to it.

Chris: Do you play any other instruments?
Noam: Yes, I take drum lessons at home. I play what I am learning in my lessons.

Chris: Do you like Cajun music as well?
Noam: Compared to Cajun music, Zydeco is more upbeat. And Cajun is really slow (that's why I don't like walzes either) ... so ... that's why I like Zydeco !

Chris: Who gave you the nickname "Hot Sauce"?
Noam: Harold Gillory who used to play in Chris Ardoin's band. But he doesn't play with Chris anymore.

Chris: Do you like being called "Hot Sauce"?
Noam: Yeah it's pretty KOOL.

Noam also explained that he thought Harold Gillory was the best rub board player he's ever played with.

Chris: Who have you played with?
Noam: Sean Ardoin, Chris Ardoin, Dexter Ardoin, Nathan Williams, Willis Prudhomme Curley Taylor, Roy Carrier, Step Rideau, CJ Chenier, and Rosie Ledet.

Note: Between the Springtime Festival over Memorial Day weekend 2005 and Strawberry Park in 2005, I saw Noam play with every one of these bands except Step Rideau and Rosie Ledet. He has an impressive resume!

Chris: Who haven't you played with that you would like to?
Noam: I can't think of anyone.

Chris: What does it feel like to be on stage?
Noam: It feels really KOOL to be on stage ... and it's awesome. I've figured out that when you're on stage, you should smile and have fun!

Noam attended both the Springtime Festival in NY and Strawberry Park and was on stage with several of the bands throughout both weekends. Most memorable was his performance with Roy Carrier's band in NY and with Curley Taylor's Zydeco Trouble at Strawberry Park. Noam played in tandem with Clifford Alexander (who is a top notch rub board player) during the Curley Taylor set. The stance between Clifford and Noam was perfect, both smiling and both playing their best, a portrait of two masters respectful of the other's talent. The crowd was completely energized and pumped up by it. Both were rewarded by a rousing cheer and applause by the dancers. Really cool! Clifford then turned over the stage to Noam who held his own through the next two cuts. Way to go Noam! Phil, lead vocalist and rubboard player for Lil' Anne, joined Noam and Curley on stage later during this set. This type of collaboration between respected musicians is the magic born out of the festivals.

Throughout the weekend at Strawberry Park, Noam played with most of the Louisiana bands. CJ Chenier set, Noam was invited on stage for a few tunes with CJ's rubboard player turning over a solo to "Hot Sauce". Noam also played with Chris Ardoin's band during their 2nd set and with Nathan Williams on Saturday afternoon, and with Dexter Ardoin's band on Sunday afternoon.

No matter what instrument or genre a musician adopts, those who rise to the top generally possess three characteristics: 1) They begin playing at an early age; 2) they have a passion for the instrument and the music; 3) they possess an inherent musical talent. Noam has the potential to rise above the crowd …. maybe someday he will be the first renowned non-creole Zydeco band leader.