Wisconsin-born Bagus started on his grandmother's electric organ before picking up guitar between 75 Grateful Dead shows and gigging with Milwaukee's Surgeon General's Warning. After stints in San Francisco with the Ambulance Chasers, trombonist Tad Mondale invited him to New Orleans for Jazz Fest. "I couldn't get that Zydeco out of my head!" Two years later, Bagus relocated to NOLA, where he found his groove on keys and melodica, writing in the high-energy funk style of the Meters, Galactic, and Dr. John. When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Bagus landed in Denver and founded Krewe De Groove in 2006. He's been bringing New Orleans funk to the Rocky Mountains ever since.