John Boutte

John Boutte obtained a business degree during his college years, yet his true passion remained rooted in music. He had observed his sister, Lillian Boutte, take the stage in the musical theater production One Mo' Time prior to her departure from New Orleans for a European music career. Even so, after completing four years of service in the U.S. Army, he accepted employment at a credit union. Only after encountering Stevie Wonder, who declared that Boutte possessed a definite shot at success as a vocalist and characterized his voice as "incredible," did he begin to consider a professional path in singing seriously. Nevertheless, he returned to his office position following the meeting. Less than a month afterward, Lillian mailed him a plane ticket to Europe with an invitation to join her tour. Encouraged by Wonder's words, Boutte departed to launch the musical career he had long desired, without turning back.

During his upbringing in New Orleans, Boutte encountered music integrated into everyday city rhythms. From the Creole family home situated near his current French Quarter residence, sounds from weddings and funerals at the neighboring church reached him readily. At other seasons, Carnival days and Mardi Gras supplied abundant music. While attending school, he directed his energies toward music by playing trumpet and cornet in marching bands and entering school-sponsored talent competitions. He progressed to performing on street corners alongside a cappella ensembles. A circle of musical associates, among them jazz figures Danny Barker, Louis "Big Eye" Nelson, and Paul Babarin, provided further instruction. Following high school graduation, Boutte enrolled at Xavier University in New Orleans to study business. During Army assignments in Texas, Virginia, and Korea, he sang in and led gospel choirs. Beyond his solo work, he supplied vocals for the Cubanismo album Mardi Gras Mambo, recorded by the Havana dance band. Other relatives have pursued music professionally as well: niece Tania Boutte partnered with Terri Degruy to form TNT, while niece Tricia Boutte performs under the name Sista Teedy.