Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
2018 marks the 25th anniversary of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s remarkable arrival onto the music scene. Since it’s formation in the early nineties in Ventura, California, the band has toured virtually nonstop, performing on average over 150 shows a year, and has produced a sizable catalog of recorded music, with sales of over 2 million albums to date. Early on, during their legendary residency at the Derby nightclub in Los Angeles, they reminded the world, in the midst of the grunge era no less, that it was still cool to swing. The band, cofounded by singer Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren, was at the forefront of the swing revival of that time, blending a vibrant fusion of the classic American sounds of jazz, swing, and dixieland, with the energy and spirit of contemporary culture
2018 marks the 25th anniversary of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s remarkable arrival onto the music scene. Since it’s formation in the early nineties in Ventura, California, the band has toured virtually nonstop, performing on average over 150 shows a year, and has produced a sizable catalog of recorded music, with sales of over 2 million albums to date. Early on, during their legendary residency at the Derby nightclub in Los Angeles, they reminded the world, in the midst of the grunge era no less, that it was still cool to swing. The band, cofounded by singer Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren, was at the forefront of the swing revival of that time, blending a vibrant fusion of the classic American sounds of jazz, swing, and dixieland, with the energy and spirit of contemporary culture. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s all original core line-up includes Scotty Morris (lead vocals and guitar), Kurt Sodergren (drums), Dirk Shumaker (double bass and vocals), Andy Rowley (baritone saxophone and vocals), Glen "The Kid" Marhevka (trumpet), Karl Hunter (saxophones and clarinet) and Joshua Levy (piano and arranger). Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s efforts to promote and revitalize swing music have taken shape as much more than a simple tribute. Taking inspiration from the creators of this uniquely American art form, the band’s original horn-infused music and legendary high energy show introduces the genre to a new and younger generation while remaining cognizant and respectful of the music’s rich legacy. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's first phase of stardom featured an appearance in the 1996 indie film Swingers, a movie that not only launched the careers of Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, but introduced Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to an audience beyond their Los Angeles base. The band's music has appeared in countless films and television shows, including The Wild, Despicable Me, Phineas & Ferb, Friends, Third Rock From The Sun, Ally McBeal, and So You Think You Can Dance. They have appeared live on Dancing With The Stars, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center, The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a remarkable seven appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show. The band has also appeared as special guests with many of the country's most distinguished symphony orchestras, and has performed for three U.S. Presidents. After 25 years, 11 records, over 2800 live shows, and countless appearances in film and television, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is showing no signs of slowing down, and is looking forward to celebrating it’s 25th anniversary in 2018.
When does something that looks and sounds retro or classic, actually become a new and different thing altogether?
It’s hard to do, and believe me people have tried with varying degrees of success. But, that is just what is happening
with a band out of Orange County California, THE JACKPOT CLUB!
By first appearances THE JACKPOT CLUB would seem like just another rockabilly band. Take a twangy guitar and an
upright bass, mix in a swingin’ drummer, salt to taste, etc. But after listening to TJC take the crowd through a set or
two of music you begin to realize that this is much more than just a ‘rockabilly’ band! No other trio would take the
crowd (in just one set, mind you) from bar-room rock-n-roll of a classic like ‘Mercury Blues’ or ‘Seven Nights To Rock’,
to a rocked-up Cajun swing ‘Jambalaya; or the crooning of Sinatra’s ‘That’s Life’! Who would dare move from the Las
Vegas swing of Sam Butera to Nick Lowe’s punky power-pop to Louis Jordan’s rhythm and boogie? Who? Really?
Only one band dares to and THE JACKPOT CLUB dares, and does!
THE JACKPOT CLUB was hatched from the semi-fertile mind of Vocalist/Guitarist Andy Winston. A true rock & roll
soul (Citizen Fear, The Tickets, Spindizzys, ‘Lectric Chairs, MOJOMASTER!), Andy was raised around the swingin’
sounds of Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima and Count Basie before discovering the sound of the electric guitar. And it was
only after his dreams of being ‘the next Ted Nugent’ waned (thank goodness!), that Andy began to cut his teeth
during the punk heyday of 79-81. His band Citizen Fear (see compilation Killed by Death #13) played the legendary
Southern California punk rock clubs of the day. The 1980’s and 90’s saw Andy spending over 1,000 nights on stage
with Orange County power-pop stars The Tickets, including recording the collectible cassette-only release, “Make A
Record”, that was recently re-released on CD by Brewery Records.
But in spite of this long and semi-storied history, Andy felt something was missing. Something was calling. Something
primal and rootsy. The idea for a new band began to form in his mind, and almost against his will. His vision, you ask?
To have a band with the roots of rock-n-roll and the heavy power of punk, but the swing and dance-floor filling energy
of jump-blues. Could he reach back to a time when songs had energy and excitement, but keep an edge that would
remain relevant to today’s audiences? As you know, there are a lot of ‘revivalist’ and ‘fashionable’ classic rock and
tribute bands out there, but Andy couldn’t and wouldn’t let THE JACKPOT CLUB play that game. “The filter through
which I live music didn’t stop at 1959 or end with one artist. It continued through the electric blues of the 60’s, the
1970’s rock and punk, as much as it reaches back to the swing and blues of 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s”, says Andy.
Did our hero achieve his dream?
Yes he did! And you need to hear THE JACKPOT CLUB for yourself!
Drummer/Vocalist Joel Tetzlaff is a drum industry veteran with more than 30 years of drumming experience, both on
stage and in the studio. His passion for the drums started as a teen after picking up his first pair of drum sticks, and
he has never looked back since. His battle scars have been earned with various bands throughout Southern California
performing in classic rock, top 40 and tribute situations. Joel is always striving to put on the best show and sound for
THE JACKPOT CLUB.
Bassist/Vocalist Andy Zacharius is simply an old soul packaged in the body of a 30-something. With a musical
knowledge and breadth of experience that some people 3 times his age have yet to achieve, Andy brings a musicality
to the team that drives beat. Growing up with the bass in his hands, Andy has a swing and fingerboard deftness that
adds big bass bottom to THE JACKPOT CLUB sound. Let him move you around the dance floor...
THE JACKPOT CLUB is at home on the largest of concert stages, having opened shows for national headline acts
such as The Mavericks, Billy Vera & The Beaters, Dick Dale, The Stray Cat Lee Rocker, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies,
Headcat, Three Bad Jacks, Albert Lee & John Jorgensen, Big Sandy & The Fly-Rite Boys, Jimmie Vaughan, Big Bad
Voodoo Daddy and The Royal Crown Revue, as they are in the smallest of bars playing 4-5 sets of music and leading
the party charge! And it’s in those hot and sweaty venues where the dance floor is swingin’ and the drinks are slingin’
where The Jackpot Club excels. Let them provide the soundtrack for your next event!