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Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Continues 10th Anniversary Season of Music by the Lake
6/22/2010
AURORA, Ill. — Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, fusing classic American sounds from jazz, swing, Dixieland and big band music, will perform in the 10th annual Music by the Lake series on Saturday, July 10, at 7:30 p.m. in The Ferro Pavilion at George Williams College of Aurora University, 350 Constance Blvd. in Williams Bay, Wis.
A contemporary swing band from Ventura, Calif., Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was formed by leader Scotty Morris after he became restless as a young studio guitarist and decided to launch a three-piece jazz, blues and swing combo. Initial CDs were "Big Bad Voodoo Daddy" and "Watchu' Want for Christmas?," produced under the band's own record label Big Bad Records. Their big break came when the songs "You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)" and "Go Daddy-O" were featured in the 1996 cult comedy movie "Swingers."
The band got its name when Morris met blues guitar legend Albert Collins after a concert. "He signed my poster, 'To Scotty, the big bad voodoo daddy,' and I thought it was the coolest name I ever heard on one of the coolest musical nights I ever had," said Morris. "So when it was time to name my band, I didn't really have a choice. I felt like it was handed down to me."
After "Swingers" launched the group's reputation and status, they were signed by Capitol Records. The band quickly released "Americana Deluxe," "This Beautiful Life" and "Save My Soul." They continued their tours, performances and album releases, then became a headliner at the 1999 Super Bowl half-time show with Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan. BBVD's music has been used in more than 60 film and TV trailers, and they have served as the house band for the ESPN Award shows for several years.
When the swing revival began to die down, the group returned to its status as an underground band. Their fifth album, "Save My Soul," appeared in 2003. Inspired by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy expanded its sound to include elements of the Big Easy's jazz, swamp funk and Cajun traditions. A live holiday CD/DVD themed album appeared in 2004, and in 2009, the band released "How Big Can You Get? The Music of Cab Calloway," which found them digging even deeper into hardcore jazz and swing.
Over the past few years, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has played on the pops programs of American symphony orchestras, including the San Francisco Symphony in July 2008. Their stage shows, replete with zoot suits and rat pack lingo, are infectious. The band has an enthusiastic fan club that has raised them to superstar status.
Members include founder and leader Morris (lead vocals and guitar) and Kurt Sondergren (drums and percussion), the band's two original members, with Dirk Shumaker (double bass and vocals), Andy Rowley (baritone saxophones and clarinet), Glen Marhevka (trumpet), Karl Hunter (saxophones and clarinet), and Joshua Levy (piano, arranger). Touring members also include Tony Bonsera (trumpet) and Alex "Crazy Legs" Henderson (trombone).
Like the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Benny Goodman and the Count Basie Big Band, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's energetic performances draw enthusiastic audiences of all ages in cities around the world. They helped revive big band swing music for the '90s, built up a following on the local lounge circuit, and captured the attention of the GenXers, who were enamored with the kitschy charm of the cocktail nation. Swing continues to remain a favorite of every generation since its emergence in the 1940s, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is one of its most engaging champions.
This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from Wisconsin Arts Board, General Mills Foundation and Land O'Lakes Foundation.
The Main Stage series continues with:
- Verdi's operatic masterpiece, "La Traviata," on Saturday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m. Christine Flasch, executive director of Music by the Lake, will direct the production to be sung in Italian with supertitles. The performance is supported in part by Young Artist Underwriter Harold Hartshorne, Jr. A special dinner featuring an Italian menu prepared by a guest chef will be available prior to the performance.
- Singer, composer and pianist Ann Hampton Callaway will perform her signature songs in a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m. This performance is underwritten in part by the generous support of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation.
Sundays at 4 Concerts are:
- Guitarist John Jorgenson, a pioneer of the American Gypsy Jazz movement, performing classic standards and original compositions in this year's Jazz Café, Sunday, July 18, at 4 p.m. Jorgenson will lead his quintet with dazzling guitar and clarinet work and masterful vocal selections.
- Verdi's operatic masterpiece opera, "La Traviata," presented onSunday, July 25, at 4 p.m. Christine Flasch, executive director of Music by the Lake, will direct the production to be sung in Italian with supertitles. The performance is supported in part by Young Artist Underwriter Harold Hartshorne, Jr. A special dinner featuring an Italian menu prepared by a guest chef will be available prior to the performance.
- Frank Almond, acclaimed concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and renowned violinist, will perform with internationally recognized, award-winning pianist William Wolfram in a stunning duo recital on Sunday, Aug. 1, at 4 p.m. Both are Juilliard-trained soloists. Almond will play a 1715 Stradivarius violin in a spectacular program showcasing the artist in solo and duet repertoire.
The Sundays at 4 Series is underwritten in part by the generous support of the Judith and John Graff Charitable Fund.
The season finale Pritzker Spotlight Concert is:
- Grammy Award winner Peter Frampton on Saturday, Aug. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Frampton, one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history, has one of the top-selling live records of all time. He received a 2006 Grammy Award for the all-instrumental work, "Fingerprints," and his most recent album, "Thank You Mr. Churchill," is an autobiographical collection. This performance is generously underwritten by The J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation.
Single ticket prices for the Main Stage Series and Sundays at 4 Series range from $60 to $15. Seating is available in the Dress Circle, Orchestra, Rear Orchestra and Terrace. Terrace seating is not available for Sundays at 4 Series performances on July 18 and Aug. 1. Outdoor lawn seating is available at all Saturday evening performances for $15 per ticket. Tickets for the Spotlight Concert range from $100 to $15.
For more information or tickets, call 866-843-5200 toll free or 262-245-8501, or e-mail mbtl@aurora.edu. Visit the website at www.musicbythelake.com for secure online ordering.
The 2010 Music by the Lake concert series is generously supported by Platinum sponsors Fairwyn Investment and Development; Gold sponsors Grand Geneva, Keefe Real Estate (Honorary Presenting Sponsor), and Scherrer Construction; Silver sponsors Aurora Health Care, Balestrieri Development and Environmental, Inc., Community Bank Delavan, HGA Architects and Engineers, Lake Geneva Cruise Line and Gage Marine, M&I Bank, Sodexo Campus Services, Voyager Capital Management, LLC, Walworth State Bank, and Wells Fargo Private Bank.
Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. Approximately 4,000 degree-seeking students are enrolled each year on the university's Illinois and Wisconsin campuses, and the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association to award degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. The George Williams College campus offers 16 academic programs, unique conference facilities, and is home to Music by the Lake and other education and enrichment programs.
Note: Media may download print-quality photos by going to the Music by the Lake press room at www.musicbythelake.com/press.
