By Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
Fresh off the first U.S. Stray Cats tour in 15 years, Brian Setzer is heading back on tour with his 18-piece big band. The Brian Setzer Orchestra, dubbed the “New King Of Jingle Bell Rock” by Billboard, will kick off their sixth annual Christmas extravaganza tour on Nov. 17 in Verona, NY.
Over the years, Setzer has done his part to keep swing and rockability alive and well in an increasingly pop-centered musical universe. Following last year’s sold out tour, this year’s run expands to 27 dates and concludes Dec. 29 in Oakland, CA. Last year, BSO performed 23 concerts. . .
The group’s festive and exhilarating holiday set will include rockabilly and big band swing with songs spanning Setzer’s career, including Stray Cats and BSO hits “Stray Cat Strut,” “Jump Jive An’ Wail,” and “Rock This Town” as well as new tunes from ‘Wolfgang’s Big Night Out,’ Setzer’s 14th studio album set for release on Sept. 25.
On Oct. 16, Surfdog Records will re-release Setzer’s yuletide albums “Dig That Crazy Christmas” and “Boogie Woogie Christmas.” Surfdog Records is also re-releasing the “Christmas Extravaganza” DVD shot at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles in Dec. 2004.
Brian Setzer Orchestra 2007 itinerary:
Nov. 17; Verona, NY, Turning Stone Casino
Nov. 18; Easton, PA, State Theatre
Nov. 20; Red Bank, NJ, Count Basie Theatre
Nov. 21; New York, NY, Beacon Theatre
Nov. 23; Boston, MA, Orpheum Theatre
Nov. 24; Westbury, NY, North Fork Theatre
Nov. 29; Glenside, PA, Keswick Theatre
Nov. 30; Mashantucket, CT, Foxwoods Casino
Dec. 1; Mashantucket, CT, Foxwoods Casino
Dec. 3; Oneida, WI, Oneida Casino
Dec. 4; Milwaukee, WI, Potawatomi Casino
Dec. 5; Milwaukee, WI, Potawatomi Casino
Dec. 7; Detroit, MI, Fillmore Detroit
Dec. 8; Petoskey, MI, Odawa Casino Resort
Dec. 9; Aurora, IL, Paramount Theatre
Dec. 11; Denver, CO, Fillmore Auditorium
Dec. 12; Albuquerque, NM, Isleta Casino Showroom
Dec. 13; Mesa, AZ, Mesa Arts Center
Dec. 14; Mesa, AZ, Mesa Arts Center
Dec. 16; Coachella, CA, Spotlight Casino
Dec. 18; Santa Rosa, CA, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
Dec. 19; Santa Rosa, CA, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
Dec. 21; Los Angeles, CA, Gibson Amphitheatre
Dec. 23; Las Vegas, NV, Joint at the Hard Rock
Dec. 27; Santa Ynez, CA, Chumash Casino
Dec. 28; Fresno, CA, Table Mountain Casino
Dec. 29; Oakland, CA, Paramount Theatre