Last night we were invited to a holiday show at the legendary Birchmere, a dinner music club that’s been hosting bands in Alexandria, Virginia for 50 years. The headliner was Big Bad Voodoo Daddy…and they were both BIG and BAD, in the best way. The event doubled as a double birthday celebration for our friends Cindy and Matt, joined by a cadre of our buddies.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at the Birchmere

The Big Bads played rockin’ arrangements of familiar and not so familiar holiday tunes, interspersed with the “3 Louies” (Armstrong, Prima and Jordon), and a short surprise snippet of Lynyrd Skynyrd! They had us dandin’ in our seats.

“You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch”

The horn section was superb. Being a trumpet player, I couldn’t help but admire “Glen the Kid” Marhevka, although the tenor sax, Karl Hunter, was a close second. Led by Scotty Morris at the mic, and playing guitar and banjo, the band was tightly wound and full of energy.

Happy Horns!

With all that is going on “out there” in the world, it was great to enjoy a little Voodoo with friends.