Brian Setzer

Dec. 2, 2007

When Brian Setzer brings his Christmas show – and his swinging 17-piece orchestra – to the Odawa Casino in Petoskey for Saturday night’s show, the place will be both swingin’ and rockin’ - that’s a given. But what fans might not realize is just how much holiday music they’ll hear, and just how it will be... well, Setzerized.

SWINGIN’ SETZER
Since bursting onto the scene with his big band in 1994, Setzer has headed the swing revival, but while many of the bands that rode that wave have all but disappeared (think Squirrel Nut Zippers or Royal Crown Revue), Setzer has kept on keeping on.
While some of his music already has a certain cheesiness – it’s been compared to Doc Severinsen’s “Tonight Show” band with tattoos – that cheese factor increases dramatically as Setzer & crew take on the holiday sounds of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Rogers and Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things,” and everyone’s favorite, “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” So what? The soulful saxes, punchy trumpets, and rollicking trombones make short work of any criticism.
That’s the thing with Setzer’s orchestra. You’re not likely to get too many surprises (though the sensitive arrangement of “My Favorite Things” may qualify), but you’ll get the most soulful, swinging, and well-played big band music out there. And while his holiday show concentrates on tunes from his two Christmas-themed CDs, there’s plenty more to enjoy. Tracks like “This Cat’s On A Hot Tin Roof,” “The Dirty Boogie,” and his signature tune, “Jump Jive & Wail” get their place in the set as well.

AND... CLASSICAL SETZER?
On his most recent release, Wolfgang’s Big Night Out, Setzer makes short work of classical favorites like Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusic,” Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony,” and even Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” Some of those semi-familiar tunes will surely be in the holiday set as well.
It’s hard to beat the sight of a big band decked out in holiday regalia, complete with red and white (bowling?) shirts under faux leopard-skin blazers, with the backup singers in slinky little red dresses with snow-white trim. And then there’s the merry bandleader, looking his lounge-lizard best.
Of course, it wouldn’t mean a thing if it didn’t have that swing, and Setzer and company assuredly do. There’s a reason beyond novelty that this group sells out dates across the globe; they bring the goods every night. Great arrangements, inspired performances from the entire group, and a bandleader who puts it all on the line promises concert-goers a great time.

Tickets for the 6th Annual Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Extravaganza, set to take place on December 8 at 8:00 p.m., are $60 and $45. For ticket information, call the casino at 1-877-442-6464 or log onto www.odawacasino.com. Also appearing will be special guests
The Detonators.