Our Musicians
Eugene LeBeaux (Coronet)
Mr. Eugene LeBeaux is an accomplished composer and arranger, with album originals and arrangements having been performed by the Denver Symphony, the Queen City Jazz Band, the Whiskey River Band, Los Angeles Sass Band, NBC’s People’s Choice Awards, and L.A. Share Show. His studio work on commercials and films include the Sunset Boulevard Studio, Sunburst Studio, Western Studio, RCA Studio, That Studio, Salty Dog Studio, Capitol and numerous network sound stages.
Each year he returns to his hometown of Denver to perform for the Evergreen Jazz Festival with The Bob Cooke Celebration Band and at the iconic Jazz Club, “Bull and Bush,” where he launched his career. Though he calls Denver, Colorado home, there is no denying that his playing style and family roots go back to New Orleans. He currently lives in Dallas, Texas, where he composes, plays, tours and teaches along with his wife—the world-renowned commercial jingle singer and pro-pianist, Gleni Tai.
Radio airplay of his original compositions have made him a long-standing member of ASCAP and have taken him world-wide to the concert venues of New York, Boston, Santa Monica, New Orleans, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, Los Vegas, Denver, Dallas, Honolulu and abroad: Paris, Rome, Munich, Florence, Vancouver, and Moscow. LeBeaux was recently featured on stage in concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall and at the New Orleans Jazz festival with Jerry Jumonville.
His musical education includes the University of Denver Lamont School of Music, Berkley School of Music in Boston, and the Dick Grove School of Music in Studio City, California.
Bob Deuell, M.D. (Drums)
Dr. Robert F. (Bob) Deuell attended North Texas State University (UNT) as a Percussion Major and later received his B.S. in Biology from George Mason University. He then earned his Doctorate of Medicine from the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Deuell is a partner in Primary Care Associates of Greenville, and is a member of the American Medical Association and Texas Medical Association. He is Board certified by the American Board of Family Practice. Bob was a member of the Texas Senate from 2003-2015.
As a percussionist, Dr. Deuell has played with Ted Weems, Les Elgart, Ink Spots, Charlie Byrd, Mark Russell, Swinging Shepherds, Vickie Allen, Ike and Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Charlie Byrd, Eric Tessmer, Matt Wilson, Asleep at the Wheel, Roy Buchanan, Doc and the Gang, and the Aldersgate Church Worship Band. He has served as the Musical Director and Percussionist for the Hayloft Dinner Theater. In addition to playing with the Bois D, Bob plays with the iconic Texas country group, The Light Crust Doughboys. In 2013 he was selected by the Austin Jazz Society to play in their All Star band for their annual jazz festival concert. He was also honored to sit in for Count Basie drummer Butch Miles for a concert to raise money for Miles who underwent a successful double lung transplant.
His hobbies include playing drums, hunting, and politics. Senator Deuell and his wife Marilyn reside in Greenville and have three children – Paul, Brian and Jennifer.
Dick Eckstein (Trombone)
Richard Eckstein has been teaching music in the public schools of East Texas for the past 32 years. He is currently the Mt Vernon ISD Jr. High Band Director. In this position, he works with his wife, Mrs. Tanya Eckstein, assisting the Mighty Tiger Marching and Concert Bands, the Mt Vernon beginner band, the MVJH Band and the MVHS Jazz Band. Throughout his career, Mr Eckstein’s bands have been consistent award winners in marching, concert, and sight-reading competitions and he is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the Four States Area.
As a trombonist, Mr. Eckstein performs regularly in a wide variety of venues. He is the director and lead trombonist with the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra and plays in several other groups including: The Bill Causey Orchestra of Shreveport, LA., the LA Legacy Jazz Orchestra, the Colt 45’s, and the Bois D’Arc Dixieland Band. Mr. Eckstein has had the opportunity to perform in concert with the following musicians and entertainers: Fabian, Bobby Rydell, The Shirelles, Bobby Vinton, Jim Nabors, Mary Wilson and The Supremes, Don Rickles, Robert Goulet, Joe Piscopo, Lorna Luft, Natalie Cole, The Temptations, Bill Watrous, Tom ‘Bones’ Malone, Regis Philbin, Joan Rivers, Frank Sinatra Jr., and Wayne Newton.
Mr. Eckstein attended East Texas State University on a music scholarship, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He has also recently received a master degree in Trombone performance from Texas A&M University – Commerce. Mr. Eckstein is the proud father of three daughters and a son in law – Emily and Lauren Eckstein, and, Anna and Kevin Sutton.
J. Russell Armstrong (Tenor Banjo)
Mr. Russell Armstrong is a Certified Financial Planner™ and owner of AIS Financial, a Comprehensive Wealth Planning and Investment Services Firm located in Commerce, Texas (www.ais-financial.com). He is a 1981 graduate of East Texas State University (Now Texas A&M University – Commerce) and a 1990 graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU. He received his diploma from the College of Financial Planning, Denver, CO in 1997 and he earned his CFP® marks in January of 1998.
Russell is a member of the Commerce Rotary Club, the Financial Planning Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Classic Jet Aircraft Association, and Family Fellowship in Greenville. Russell is a Lifetime Member of the TAMU-C Alumni Association & the EAA. Russell volunteers his time as a Command Pilot for Angel Flight South Central (www.angelflightsc.org),
Russell’s hobbies include flying & golf. Russell resides in Commerce with his wife Lee. Together, they have two married children and 3 grand-children.
Russell is a life long drummer but began playing the 4-string tenor banjo in 2000. He is the founding member of the Bois d’ Arc Dixieland Band.
Ben Scarborough (Bass)
Mr. Ben Scarborough has been playing bass guitar and bass since he was 5 years old. As a child, many weekends found him at the family Hootenanny, pickin’ with the old guys. Ben played trombone with the Sulphur Springs High School band and with scholarships in hand, received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University – Commerce), studying with trombone teacher Dr. Neill Humfeld. He taught high school bands and taught low brass at Fort Hood for Mary Hardin-Baylor University and has also served as assistant to James Keene, former Band Director at E.T.S.U.
After seven years, Ben left teaching to build and sell ultralight aircraft for another seven years and is qualified as an ultralight aircraft flight instructor. When that market slowed, he returned to teaching as the Band Director at Sulphur Springs high school for six years before going to Winnsboro as the Middle School director. In his twelfth year in Winnsboro, he enjoys flying “Breezy” (his ultralight), photography, and shooting sports. He plays in several area jazz bands and has performed in most of the central and eastern United States and Hawaii; Rome, Italy; and Ireland.
Mr. Scarborough and his wife Marigene live on the family farm where he grew up in Yantis.
James Deaton (Clarinet)
Dr. James Deaton received his Doctorate in clarinet performance from the University of Texas. He is the former principal clarinetist of Fulda Symphony in Fulda, Germany, the former principal clarinetist of the North East Texas Symphony, and the former Professor of Clarinet and Head of Department of Music at TAMU-Commerce.
Dr. Deaton is the author of two performed plays and a musical. He currently serves as the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church of Commerce.
His hobbies include composing music, writing plays/musicals, and playing golf.
Dr. Deaton and his wife Toni reside in Commerce, Texas. Dr. Deaton is one of the original members of the Bois d’ Arc Dixieland Band.
Joe Knight (Piano and Vocals)
Joe Knight is a career Worship Pastor, musician and author. Along with his wife, Shaunda, they appear in churches nationwide leading worship and telling the story of their son Matt who died of cancer in his third year of Bible College. Joe’s ministry can be viewed at www.joeknight.us.
Primarily a keyboard player, Joe loves the freedom of Dixieland and the great joy of simply making music with his friends.
GUEST MUSICIANS
Kelley Fletcher, Trumpet
Bob Krenkel, Clarinet
Josh Lawrence, Piano
Paul Miller, Drums
Jack Allday, Drums
Wally Tucker, Bass
Scott Whitfield, Tenor Banjo
Tyler Jackson, Tenor Banjo
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If you are interested in booking the Bois d’Arc Dixieland Band, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can!