What the first thing you think about when you hear the words “swing dancing?” Having asked several people, their responses were “ my grandparents era.” “Booze flowing,” “skirts and checkered shoes.”
These responses couldn’t be more wrong and Sony Hall in NYC was full of fun tonight when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Took to the stage after a short swing dance lesson. There couldn’t have been a more fun venue in the city tonight . This band knows how to sing, play music, and get people out of their seat dancing the night away. Young and old, singles and couples were out on the floor owning it.
With Scotty Morris on vocals, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has the sound from the 40s that you see in the old movies. Dirk Shumaker on stand up bass resembles Frank Sinatra and is just a joy to watch-his smile lights up the room as he twirls the stand up bass around and around. The horns-Andy Rowley on saxophone, Glen “The Kid” Marhevka on trumpet, Karl Hunter on saxophone, Alex Henderson on Trombone and Mitchell Cooper on Trumpet are a group to keep an eye on. When they aren’t actually playing their instruments, they are singing or moving around the stage, going from the back near drummer Kurt Sodergren and sharing the spotlight with Scotty Morris.
If you want to have a wonderful evening out, make sure you go see Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. But be prepared to have smile on your face well after the music has stopped.
Review and Photos by Debra L. Rothenberg
