BAND BIOGRAPHY

A Quick Look

Henry Turner Jr. and his band, & Flavor, have toured the United States, Canada and Japan. They have released seventeen singles and nine CD’s. Turner is credited with developing a syncopated style of music that has come to be referred to as Louisiana reggae, blues, soul and funk. In 1983 he established Hit City Records to produce Louisiana roots music. The small, yet diverse roster focuses on country, reggae, neo-soul, blues and pop. He also operates Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room and Heritage Museum which opened in Baton Rouge in 2014, and supports local, regional and national touring acts. Additional accomplishments for 2014 include being named an official Music Ambassador by the Louisiana Office of Tourism for his performance at the Watermelon Festival at Santa Anita Park in Southern California. October 28, 2015 being proclaimed Henry Turner Jr. Day in Baton Rouge and Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor doing a month long series of concerts, in 2016, for the Louisiana State Museum archives and their Music at the Mint program in New Orleans. The 1st Annual Henry Turner, Jr. Day Music Festival was held on October 28, 2017. It was established to salute individuals, organizations and companies, in the greater Baton Rouge area, for their ongoing philanthropic efforts to improve the quality of life for people in the community. This event garnered him another proclamation from the city for his continuing efforts and contributions in mentoring new musical talent, producing free music festivals and writing the "Baton Rouge Theme Song."

BAND MEMBERS

Henry Turner Jr.

Lead Vocals.Guitar

Musician, vocalist, guitar player, composer, producer and promoter Henry Turner Jr. is an integral part of the Louisiana Music scene.
He is well known for creating an intricate and syncopated style of music that has been branded – Louisiana Reggae, Soul, Funk and Blues. As lead singer for the band, his rich baritone voice adds warmth and depth to his touching and soulful ballads, as well as intense power for his upbeat dance songs. Turner’s guitar techniques incorporate blues, soul and funk styles, along with jazz chording to create mesmerizing and toe-tapping songs.
Turner believes that one of his missions is to introduce and mentor new talent into the ever changing music industry.
As a show business veteran and entrepreneur his vision is and always will be to share the love he has for his home state of Louisiana, his hometown of Baton Rouge and to introduce the cultural diversity of his world into the world in general.

Jenessa Nelson

Background Vocalist

JENESSA NELSON is a Baton Rouge native who began touring with the band in 2012. She is currently working on her songwriting skills and enjoys singing with the group. Her singing background includes a stint with Los Angeles gospel legend, Donald Taylor.

Larry LZ Dillon

Bass

LARRY “LZ” DILLON is the newest member of the troupe. A native Louisianan he moved to New York State after Hurricane Katrina, but missing his home state soon returned. He is an accomplished singer/songwriter and has performed in clubs around globe. Currently he plays bass, but his soulful voice occasionally adds to the backup unit. He also plays guitar, keyboard and horns.

Keith Lewis

Drummer

KEITH LEWIS is a New Orleans native and founder of the Keith Lewis Blues Revue. His band blends Southern Soul, Blues, R&B with a touch of jazz. Upon meeting Henry Turner Jr. he knew that their visions were similar and he decided to join the band in 2014. He has toured with King Lloyd and Thery Houseman, performed at Tipitina’s, Maple Leaf, the Ernie K-doe Mother-In-Law Lounge, as well as the Snake and Jake Bar, Beautiful People Lounge and Leroux’s Supper Club.

Larry Bradford

Percussionist

Percussionist LARRY BRADFORD joined Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor in August of 2015. A seasoned percussionist he has performed with Kenny Neal, Will Jackson and Sundance Howl. Sailing the high seas with the Navy he was introduced to basic Latin, African and Cuban rhythms, including Samba, Clave, Merengue and Tumbao. He now sails the waves of music by playing the congas, bongos and numerous other percussion based instruments.

Mike Zerangue

Drummer

Mike Zerangue is Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room drummer. The Baton Rouge native played drums in numerous rock and blues bands growing up. He also frequented Tabby’s Blues Box in its heyday. Focusing on raising a family and on his career as an engineer, for the past ten years, he is now fast becoming the driving force behind band.

BAND MEMBERS

Henry Turner Jr.

Lead Vocals.Guitar

Musician, vocalist, guitar player, composer, producer and promoter Henry Turner Jr., and his bandd & Flavor are an integral part of the Louisiana Music scene. They are well known for developing an intricate and syncopated style of music that is referred to as – Louisiana Blues, Soul, Funk and Reggae. As lead singer his rich baritone voice adds warmth and depth to touching and soulful ballads, as well as intense power for upbeat dance songs. Turner’s guitar techniques incorporate blues, soul and funk styles, along with jazz chording to create mesmerizing and toe-tapping melodies. As founder of Hit City Digital records the band has released twenty singles and ten CD’s. The most current are “I’m Going Down to the Mardi Gras!” and “That’s My Saints.” Their songs have also been featured in numerous compilation projects, independent feature films, commercials and top rated television shows. Henry estimates that he has written more than a hundred songs. With his quick wit and sense of humor radio stations and live audiences gravitate toward his tongue-in-cheek and double entendre lyrics, as well as the unique twists he incorporates into his love songs.

For his company he takes the production helm, signing and producing Louisiana artists in the Hit City Digital records’ recording studio. The small, yet diverse roster focuses on local roots music that include Country, Reggae, Neo Soul, Blues and Pop. All the company’s releases are funneled through international digital distribution networks.

In 2011, Henry Turner Jr. came up with the Ultimate Louisiana Party concept to introduce mass audiences to the culture of his home state of Louisiana. On tour these events, at select stops, feature local musicians, spoken word performers, artists and artisans. They also include ‘Taste of Louisiana’ meals featuring jambalaya and red beans and rice. An instant hit with audiences they have expanded into two and three day festivals. Additional local events include the annual Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival, the Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival and A Taste of the Deep South (formerly Henry Turner, Jr. Day). Henry Turner Jr’s. Listening Room and Heritage Museum opened Baton Rouge in 2014. The purpose of the venue is to introduce, encourage and support local and regional talent, as well as provide national touring acts an intimate and inviting place to perform. Accomplishments and accolades include being named an official Music Ambassador by the Louisiana Office of Tourism, in 2014, for his performance at the 53rd Annual Lions Club Watermelon Festival in Southern California. In 2015, October 28 was proclaimed Henry Turner Jr. Day in Baton Rouge. In 2016, Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor did a month long, weekly music series for the Louisiana State Museums’ Music at the Mint program in New Orleans. October 28, 2017 was once again proclaimed Henry Turner, Jr. Day. In 2018 the Slim Harpo Music Awards honored him with an Ambassador Award and in 2019 The Lieutenant Governor’s Office named him an Honorary Louisiana Ambassador in part for writing “The Baton Rouge Theme Song.

“Music Dreams…An American Story” debuted at several films festivals and conferences in 2020. The half hour documentary focuses on the evolution of his music and band, from funk to Top 40, to reggae and blues. It was screened at various museums and libraries throughout Louisiana and has aired on Louisiana Public Broadcasting channels. “We’re Going Down the Mardi Gras,” another documentary about the founding of his festival, about to celebrate its ninth year, was screened at festivals and shown on television in 2021. Recently Turner produced “Henry’s Listening Room,” a weekly television series that aired in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. It is currently in syndication. Its focus is on the musical acts and performers who play the room and includes interviews, music videos and historical figures that have contributed to Black History.

Henry firmly believes that one of his missions is it to introduce and mentor new talent into the ever changing music industry. As a show business veteran and entrepreneur his vision is and always will be to share the love he has for his home state of Louisiana, his hometown of Baton Rouge and to introduce the cultural diversity of his world into the world in general.

Molly Milne

Background Vocalist

Songstress MOLLY MILNE, aka Ms. Molly, is the newest backup singer for the group. A preacher’s daughter she has sung 1st soprano at Tara High School and with the LSU Symphony Chorus, as well as in numerous church productions. Several years ago she landed a lead role in the musical “Dreamgirls.”

Larry LZ Dillon

Bass

Larry “LZ” Dillon is a native Louisianan. He moved to New York State after Hurricane Katrina, but missing his home he soon returned. He is an accomplished singer/songwriter and has performed in clubs around globe. Currently he plays bass for the band is also a member of Henry Turner, Jr.'s Listening Room All-Stars, singing and playing his original songs on guitar.

Jim Masters

Drums

Jim Masters began his music career playing in his High School Marching Band. Upon graduation he studied drumming techniques and music for two years in Florida. After moving to Texas he played southern rock, country and dance music in local clubs and his band eventually opened for Confederate Railroad. Trying his luck in Nashville he focused on country music and while in Birmingham his focus was on blues. He joined Henry Turner, Jr. earlier this year and is welcome addition to the band, as he can manage its syncopated style of music.

Andrew Bernard

Saxophone

IN MEMORIUM

ANDREW BERNARD is a saxophone player who was a member of John Fred and his Playboy band. He also wrote one of their largest hit songs, “Judy in Disguise (with glasses).”

Cindy M. Efferson was born in Lafayette, LA and raised in Baton Rouge. Her father was a pastor and as a result, she grew up singing in church. Joining the choir at Woodlawn in Jr. High School she was part of the ‘Aquarius’ musical. Married in 1976, she began singing with her husband, Larry Efferson in churches as a couple. Soon traveling to different parts of the country and even making a cassette tape of gospel music.

Cindy M. Efferson

Background Vocalist

Keith Lewis

Drummer

Keith Lewis is a New Orleans native and founder of the Keith Lewis Blues Revue. His band blends Southern Soul, Blues, R&B with a touch of jazz. Upon meeting Henry Turner Jr. he knew that their visions were similar and he decided to join the band in 2014. He has toured with King Lloyd and Thery Houseman, performed at Tipitina’s, Maple Leaf, the Ernie K-doe Mother-In-Law Lounge, as well as the Snake and Jake Bar, Beautiful People Lounge and Leroux’s Supper Club. He is one of the touring drummers for the band.

Mike Zerangue

Drummer