Mike Doussan a.k.a. West Bank Mike

A native of New Orleans, Mike Doussan got his start on the New Orleans music scene singing and playing first with Eric Lindell. Lindell's funky soul singing and guitar playing were a big influence on him, with Lindell at one point pulling Mike aside and encouraging him to become a full time musician. Advice heeded, Mike began a stint with the nationally touring band Juice, expanding his repertoire of New Orleans standards and developing a funky and soulful style of his own. Mike also claims Walter "Wolfman" Washington as a mentor and influence on his music. Washington has been a guest artist with Gradoux and the results were electrifying.

It was a Monday evening at the Old Point Bar in 2004 when Marc Stone introduced Doussan as simply "West Bank Mike". The name stuck and that is now how he is commonly known in New Orleans.

After working with Juice, Doussan ventured off to start his own band which he called "The Fisher Project". Blending the styles of New Orleans Funk, gut wrenching blues, and improvisational jams, West Bank Mike & The Fisher Project explodes live with an untamed energy.

In June 2005, Mike traveled up to Chicago to jam with Elmore James Jr, Piano "C" Red, and Silver Fox. This experience helped Doussan get to the blues root of his guitar style. Upon returning to New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina forced Doussan to evacuate to Houston, Texas. After ten months, Doussan returned home to New Orleans, where he hooked up with Kevin O'Day and Scott Jackson to form Gradoux