Harris Center for the Arts will launch November with two back-to-back powerhouse performances: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Friday, Nov. 1, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds on Saturday, Nov. 2. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
April 2024 marks 31 years since Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s emergence on the music scene. Since its formation in Ventura, California, the band has become a staple of the swing revival, performing over 150 shows a year and selling more than two million albums.
Founded by lead vocalist and guitarist Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren, the band’s vibrant blend of jazz, swing, and Dixieland draws from American musical traditions while remaining fresh and contemporary. Early on, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy made a name for itself with a residency at Los Angeles’ Derby nightclub, reminding audiences during the height of the grunge era that “it was still cool to swing.”
The band’s lineup includes original members Morris and Sodergren, along with Dirk Shumaker (double bass), Andy Rowley (baritone sax), Glen “The Kid” Marhevka (trumpet), Karl Hunter (saxophone and clarinet), and Joshua Levy(piano). Known for high-energy performances, the group has introduced swing to a new generation while honoring the genre’s legacy.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s breakout moment came with an appearance in the 1996 cult film Swingers, alongside Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau. The band has since been featured in TV shows like Friends and So You Think You Can Dance and performed at events ranging from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to the Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show.
On Nov. 2, The Fabulous Thunderbirds will bring their signature blend of blues, R&B, and rock to the Harris Center stage. For over 30 years, the group has delivered hits like “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap It Up,” which defined its sound and earned the band a loyal following.
Fronted by co-founder Kim Wilson, the band has evolved from its blues roots into a versatile, high-energy act. “We’re an American music band,” Wilson says. “We started as a straight blues band, but now we incorporate a variety of styles.”
Wilson, a revered harmonica player, was mentored by blues legend Muddy Waters, who once called him his favorite harmonica player. Wilson’s influences include Little Walter and B.B. King, shaping his musical style over the years. After forming the T-Birds with guitarist Jimmie Vaughan in Austin, Texas, the band released its debut album in 1979, followed by a string of hits, including the top-40 single “Tuff Enuff.”
Despite lineup changes, Wilson has kept the band’s spirit alive, blending keyboards with their guitar-driven sound and maintaining their ability to perform at both blues festivals and rock venues.
Tickets for both shows are available at the Harris Center Box Office, located at (916) 608-6888 or online at HarrisCenter.net. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and one hour before showtime.
