THE BIG EASY band derives its name from an affectionate nickname for New Orleans, like "The Big Apple" refers to New York City. Long acknowledged as the home of funk, the cradle of blues and the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans is the centre of a range of music styles that often blend together. These also include Cajun music, zydeco, swamp pop, brass band and Mardi Gras Indian parade music, rhythm and blues, soul, gospel, Caribbean and Latin music.

The band draws on the vibrant rhythms of New Orleans music for inspiration because of its influence on the popular music of today, particularly the band's specialties - blues, jazz and R&B.

Founding members of The Big Easy, Al Hensley and Tad Graham, through numerous visits to New Orleans and rural Louisiana, as well as Texas, Memphis and the Mississippi Delta, have formed a close affiliation with the roots music of the American South and have made many friends there, particularly among the Cajun people of South Louisiana.