An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers is a vibrant blues, gospel, and roots quartet, merging the powerhouse vocals of Argentine singer-songwriter An Díaz with the raw talent of Northern French blues musicians Stéphane Bihan and Manuslide, joined by New Orleans-born drummer Jeff Boudreaux. During her third European tour in 2018, An decided to settle in Paris, embracing a new artistic journey with the Yokatta Brothers and joining their “musical family,” whose passion radiates on stage.
Their sound pairs An’s dynamic voice with the band’s rhythmic roots in Blues, Boogie, Jazz and the thrill of Gospel and it resulted in an acclaimed debut album of original music, (Alana, 2023) and a show that features live blues dancing, concert performances, Afro-American cultural lectures, masterclasses in blues/gospel singing, and DJ sets.
Winning first prize at the Blues Challenge at the Rendez-vous de L’Erdre Festival and additional jury accolades, the band also took home the Heroes Challenge prize at the Retro C’est Trop Festival in 2023 and the Bluestracje prize at the Mississippi Blues Trail Challenge at the Cahors Blues Festival. These achievements led to tours across France, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic and the recording of “Komorebi in New Orleans”.
So, what does “Yokatta” mean? In Japanese, it expresses joy or relief—a celebration of small wins and big achievements alike. Through this album, An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers hope to share with listeners a glimpse of the healing power of music that has sustained them through life’s journeys.
If our music gives you a little of what music has given us, our work is done.
The family
Passionate about Blues and Gospel, An Díaz has traveled the world thanks to Black American Music. After releasing her debut album [Between Two Worlds, 2017] the warm reception was unanimous in concert halls and festivals in Argentina, Brazil, Israel, Poland, Spain, France, Austria, Italy, and more.
Over the past ten years, An has proved her versatility as a singer-songwriter-vocalist and facilitator. She has been a member of several gospel choirs in Buenos Aires and Paris, recorded backing vocals for numerous Argentine, American and French artists, and was the lead vocalist at Gintonics Blues&Soul, Nina Sessions (the Nina Simone homage show in Buenos Aires) and An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers, her current project and the reason why she moved to France.
Singers & Dancers
As a facilitator, she’s shared her knowledge about the African American Culture through her masterclasses and private coaching (English for Singers: pronunciation and interpretation). She's worked closely with Blues dancers in Argentina and France teaching masterclasses that focus on seeing music, lyrics and culture through a multifaceted lens.
The Future
Following her second studio album [Alana, 2023], numerous international awards and festivals, An will continue to share the culture, sense of humor and existentialist touch of Blues and Gospel. With Yokatta Brothers, new original music has been recorded in New Orleans and will be released soon.
💿 Recent discography 💿
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Komorebi in New Orleans (2024)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Alana (2023)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Spiral Blues (2021)
An Díaz – Between Two Worlds (2017)
Multi-instrumentalist (guitar, slide, harmonica, ukulele, kazoo, primitive drums), Manu Slide has always served the direct, stripped-down blues with passion and sincerity through his bands HarpSliders, Gutty Blues Strikers, as well as in various collaborations (Back To The Roots, Jake Calypso...)
Since 2016, he has been defending his U Man Slide project on stage, in a one-man band format. On ukulele and kazoo, he has also developed an ol' time jazz repertoire with his bands Jazzoline Orchestra and King Kazoo.
To date, he has a discography of some ten albums, including the latest 2 solo releases: “Let's play together” in 2017 and “Uke Swing” in 2021 (an album devoted entirely to the ukulele and its blues & jazz facets).
Whether he's playing the dobro, cigar box guitar, or ukulele, Manu strips it down to the bare bones to deliver a raw and unadorned performance that's sincere to the core. With Yokatta Brothers, his new challenge and greatest pleasure is to serve the group's infectious groove, backing Argentine gospel blues singer An Díaz or Finnish harmonica player @littlewilliemehto with the Ikiguys.
💿 Recent discography 💿
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Komorebi in New Orleans (2024)
Willie Mehto & The Ikiguys – Live @ la Maison du Blues (2024)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Alana (2023)
Manu Slide - Uke Swing (2021)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Spiral Blues (2021)
Yokatta Brothers feat. Willie Mehto – Yokatta Live Session #1 (2017)
Manu Slide - Let’s play together (2017)
Willie Mehto & The Ikiguys – Live @ la Maison du Blues (2024)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Alana (2023)
Manu Slide - Uke Swing (2021)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Spiral Blues (2021)
Yokatta Brothers feat. Willie Mehto – Yokatta Live Session #1 (2017)
Manu Slide - Let’s play together (2017)
Stéphane Bihan, double bass, electric bass player and saxophone player from northern France, plays a key role in the French blues scene. He founded the band Yokatta Brothers, the independent label Yokatta Records and the Ch'ti Blues Society, an association dedicated to promoting this musical culture in Northern France.
Since 2018, Stéphane has been collaborating with Argentine singer @andiazmusic forming the quartet An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers with @ju_mhx_nola and @manuslide
In 2022, he recorded at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis with his accomplice Jake Calypso under the name "The Memphis Blues Cream" alongside legendary Beale Street musicians such as Earl 'The Pearl' Banks. He plays regularly with Finnish harmonica player Little Willie Mehto. As a sideman, he’s played with Cisco Herzhaft and Sax Gordon.
With An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers, Stéphane Bihan continues to explore the many facets of the blues with boundless creativity and uncompromising authenticity. Through his rich and varied career, Stéphane, deeply rooted in blues and jazz traditions, is constantly on the lookout for new musical frontiers to explore.
💿 Recent discography 💿
Cisco Herzhaft - Roots & B4 (2025)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Komorebi in New Orleans (2024)
Willie Mehto & The Ikiguys – Live @ la Maison du Blues (2024)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Alana (2023)
The Memphis Blues Cream – 706 Union Avenue (2022)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Spiral Blues (2021)
Yokatta Brothers feat. Willie Mehto – Yokatta Live Session #1 (2017)
Since 2018, Stéphane has been collaborating with Argentine singer @andiazmusic forming the quartet An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers with @ju_mhx_nola and @manuslide
In 2022, he recorded at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis with his accomplice Jake Calypso under the name "The Memphis Blues Cream" alongside legendary Beale Street musicians such as Earl 'The Pearl' Banks. He plays regularly with Finnish harmonica player Little Willie Mehto. As a sideman, he’s played with Cisco Herzhaft and Sax Gordon.
With An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers, Stéphane Bihan continues to explore the many facets of the blues with boundless creativity and uncompromising authenticity. Through his rich and varied career, Stéphane, deeply rooted in blues and jazz traditions, is constantly on the lookout for new musical frontiers to explore.
💿 Recent discography 💿
Cisco Herzhaft - Roots & B4 (2025)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Komorebi in New Orleans (2024)
Willie Mehto & The Ikiguys – Live @ la Maison du Blues (2024)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Alana (2023)
The Memphis Blues Cream – 706 Union Avenue (2022)
An Díaz & Yokatta Brothers – Spiral Blues (2021)
Yokatta Brothers feat. Willie Mehto – Yokatta Live Session #1 (2017)
Photo Philippe Hochedez
Jeff Boudreaux is an American drummer and percussionist from Louisiana, widely recognized for his contributions to the international jazz scene. Born in 1959 in Baton Rouge, he grew up in a family deeply immersed in music, as the fourth son of Buddy Boudreaux, a noted saxophonist and big band leader. He began playing drums at the age of eight, and by twelve he was already performing professionally with his father’s band, collaborating with renowned musicians such as Carl Fontana, Mose Allison, and Lee Fortier.
In his early years, Jeff pursued studies in classical percussion, drum set, and piano, building a strong technical foundation. At 18, in 1977, he moved to New Orleans to study at Loyola University, where he deepened his expertise in jazz and popular music.
His career spans several decades and continents, with a strong presence in Europe, particularly in France, where he later settled. Jeff Boudreaux has been involved in numerous projects, performing alongside a wide range of artists and enriching ensembles with his versatile and expressive playing. He is frequently associated with jazz groups, where his mastery of rhythm and melodic drumming adds depth to improvisation and group dynamics.
Over the years, he has performed and recorded with notable figures such as Glenn Ferris, Christophe Monniot, and Rhoda Scott, contributing to projects that explore the roots of jazz while integrating diverse influences. His approach, marked by technical precision and rhythmic sensitivity, has distinguished him across contexts ranging from educational masterclasses to major international festivals.
Today, Jeff Boudreaux remains an active musician, sharing his expertise and participating in projects that carry forward the rich legacy of jazz.