Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Swings into DC
Called America’s favorite little big band, the high-voltage swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy helped launch the 1940s swing music revival that exploded in the 1990s.
And Saturday, the 7-man hep-cat band will be playing a live concert in McLean Virginia, just outside of Washington DC, celebrating the music of the iconic swing band leader Cab Calloway.
The band’s latest album, How Big Can You Get is a tribute to Calloway and captures the bandleader’s style in a rowdy celebration of music, “mischief, genius, street smarts, and fun.”
The Cab Calloway and Cotton Club Orchestra were regular performers at the legendary Harlem night club, The Cotton Club, in the 1930s. Due to Calloway’s great music, singing and showmanship, (not to mention his signature zoot suit,) his band became the replacement band for Duke Ellington’s Orchestra while Ellington was on the road. And Calloway’s popularity was solidified by the million selling hit Minnie the Moocher along with hits such as Reefer Man and The Jumpin’ Jive.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s How Big Can You Get album is a revival of Cab Calloway’s Depression-era songbook. It was recorded at Capitol Record’s legendary Hollywood recording studio using vintage microphones and studio equipment, complete with all the ‘hi-de-hi’s’ and ‘ho-de-ho’s’.
Daddy’s sound is pure 1930s and 40s swing, with big horns, big vocals and a BIG attitude, so don’t miss this show.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Avenue
McLean, Virginia (map it)
Dates & Times - Saturday, March 27, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets - $38.00 and are available online or by phone at 703-790-9223. Discount available for students, Seniors, and local residents.
Nearest Metro Subway Station – West Falls Church – Orange line, then a 15 minute cab ride.
Parking – Free lot and street parking at the center is available.
