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Live at Garden Amp
April 3rd, 2026 by Amberlee Meyer
This swing revival, jump blues, and jazz ensemble from Ventura is definitely not something you see every day. They stand with style and elegance on every stage they grace – even the world’s largest stage when they performed as part of the 1999 Super Bowl halftime show with the legendary Stevie Wonder!
Amazingly, the band has spent nearly 30 years together recording, touring, and playing across the globe without a line-up change; that’s an incredible feat for a band.
Opening was the Jessica Kaczmarek band and with a wink and a smile she immediately took control of the crowd.
The supporting cast were the perfect bandmates as they were energetic and electrifying.
The crowd was so captivated by their onstage antics, they moved their set to the crowd and the response was so good, we knew this was going to be a very fun night.
Nobody seemed to mind that they became part of the show as they jumped, jived and whaled in their laps!
Because they were an opener, the set was short and before we all knew it, the band was saying goodnight after a job well done.
Scotty Morris leads the band on vocals and guitar, Joshua Levy is on the keys, Kurt Sodergren on the kit, Karl Hunter is on tenor saxophone, clarinet and just about every other reed instrument, Andy Rowley on baritone saxophone, Glen “The Kid” Marhevka takes trumpet, and Dirk Shumaker on double bass.
Their set was tight and perfectly executed, opening with a rendition of Cab Calloway’s “Come On With the ‘Come on,’” and the crowd immediately started moving. They followed up with another Calloway favorite, “The Calloway Boogie,” and fans were proving they definitely love BBVD’s sixth album, “How Big Can You Get? The Music of Cab Calloway.”
BBVD is a sharply-dressed bunch, donning suits and hats, and with their style of music, they could have easily just stepped off the stage of a big band era performance. Think the Paramount Theatre in New York City, or the Paradise Lounge in Los Angeles.
“Jumpin’ Jack,” a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy original, turned up the vibe! When these boys are performing, it’s easy to see how much fun the band is having connecting with the audience.
Moving into “I Wan’na Be Like You (The Monkey Song),” a cover from the Disney classic movie “The Jungle Book,” was absolutely infectious; the entire place erupted in song and dance.
“Minnie the Moocher” is a favorite of mine; it is another famous Cab Calloway tune, and they could not have done it with more style and class.
They also took time for other legends by showcasing works by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra with “Diga Diga Doo,” and again with “The Jitters” by Frankie Newton and His Café Society Orchestra. The set flowed beautifully, allowing the band to showcase the mastery of this musical genre.
Original hits like “You Me and the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight,” “Mambo Swing,” “Mr. Pinstripe Suit,” “King of Swing,” and “Go Daddy-O” were phenomenal and the crowd about lost their minds.
Every single song featured top-shelf solos from every band member, and believe me, these boys can play! I have a sneaking suspicion that frontman Scotty Morris has perfect pitch. If I were a betting lady like Minnie the Moocher, I would bet on that.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is outstanding live. It is an absolute delight to spend an evening seeing this band! BBVD’s next dates take them to Florida and New Orleans, so keep checking their calendar for your chance. It’s a night worth experiencing, so catch them if you can!
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Todd Markel Rock Images
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SID 260405 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
