Shows
You and your guests will be treated to over a half-century of classic American jazz including New Orleans, Dixieland, Big Band Swing and popular jazz standards. Hear popular hits such as Hello Dolly, Closer Walk With Thee and South Rampart St. Parade from such artists as Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller. Feel the searing rhythms of Sing Sing Sing and savor the lush harmonies of Stardust and Mood Indigo as the Strutters explore the great swing melodies of Porter, Gershwin, Ellington, Benny Goodman and others. NEA award winning musical arrangements, combined with outstanding musicianship, create an energy and excitement that breathes new life into the classic hits of the jazz age. Humorous novelty selections, colorful costumes, a Mardi-Gras bead toss, singing, dancing, tap dancing, and rare musical instruments capture the spirit and festiveness of this exciting bygone era.
BACK TO BOURBON STREET
Bonjour, yʼall! Are you ready for a Mardi-Gras party?
The Side Street Strutters have cooked up a recipe with all the right ingredients for a tasty southern party. The band includes some of the finest musicians this side of the Mississippi, and sweet as pralines, every last one of ʻem! Their music is better than a hot bowl of gumbo and a pile of wigglinʼcrawfish and their personalities will lay on you like sugar on a hot beignet.
The Strutters know how to capture the spirit and festiveness of New Orleans Jazz. After all, theyʼve been playing it since 1983. “Back To Bourbon Street” features all the classic melodies played in the French Quarter such as South Rampart Street Parade, Basin Street Blues, Hello Dolly, and Just A Closer Walk With Thee. Oh but these boys take it one step farther than the usual Dixieland fare! Throw in a procession through the aisles from the back of your theater, colorful costumes, tap dancing, a bead toss, rare and unusual musical instruments and youʼve got a genuine Mardi-Gras celebration. End it all with the most famous spiritual tune of all time and before you know it, folks will be waving hankies, clapping their hands, and singing When The Saints Go Marching In.
So what are you waitinʼfor? Itʼs time to spin the bin and light up your stage with the sights and sounds of Jazz, Americaʼs musical heritage.
This show is often combined with “Jumpʼin Into Swing” for an enjoyable evening of New Orleans, Dixieland, big band swing and classic jazz standards.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Back To Bourbon Street Program
SHINY STOCKINGS
Featuring Meloney Collins
There was a lyrical magic in the jazz melodies of the 1940’s. Hits such as Pennsylvania 6-5000, Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho, and Caledonia were being played at the Cotton Club, the Palladium and Savoy Ballroom. Benny Goodman found himself hailed as the “King of Swing” and others around him like The Count, Lady Day, The Prez, and Duke were creating a style of music with itʼs own unmistakable, infectious sound and beat- SWING!
The Side Street Strutters are proud to present “Shiny Stockings”, a new musical experience showcasing the vocal stylings of Meloney Collins. This charming and talented southern California native joins the Strutters, who borrow from their extensive repertoire of beautifully crafted arrangements, colorful costumes, tap dancing, and 28 years of showmanship and musicianship to create a performance which breathes new life into melodies popularized by the great songstresses of the golden age of jazz. Feel the searing rhythms of “Sing, Sing Sing” and “Caravan”, savor the lush harmonies of “Stardust” and “At Last”, and reminisce to “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” and “A Tisket A Tasket”. Collin’s diverse career includes singing with Burt Bacharach, John Tesh, and Julie Andrews, stage productions for the Walt Disney Company, and appearing in the musical presentation of Ray Charles, LIVE! The Strutters offer their award winning musical arrangements, personable humor and showmanship while Ms. Collins shares her sassy yet sultry personality, radiant stage presence, and soulful voice. Together, they create a musical theater experience of timeless melodies which have established themselves as a permanent part of the American cultural landscape. As Duke once wrote; “It Donʼt Mean A Thing if it Ainʼt Got that Swing.”
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Shiny Stockings Program
JUMPING INTO SWING
It’s never too easy to walk in the footsteps of giants like Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Traditions must be respected-and at the same time transcended-to keep the music fresh. The Side Street Strutters once again prove they are more than up to the challenge with “Jumpin Into Swing”, a high energy big band experience that breathes new life into the classic songs of the swing era.
Music we normally associate with 16-piece big bands is craftily adapted, thanks in large part to the outstanding musical arrangements of NEA award winning recipient Joey Sellers. Throughout your return to the 1940’s, your audience will enjoy classic melodies popularized by famous musical ensembles such as Prez Prado, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington. Famous hits like “Take The A Train”, “Don’t Be That Way”, “Mood Indigo”, “Straighten Up And Fly Right”, “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White”, “Caravan” and “Sing, Sing Sing” feature a four horn front line, swinging rhythm section, tasty solos, and clever musical arrangements. And, in the Strutters own unique show style, audiences will also enjoy a few vocals, tap dancing, a few rare instruments, and infectious personable humor.
This show is often combined with “Back To Bourbon Street” for an enjoyable evening of New Orleans, Dixieland, big band swing and classic jazz standards.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Jump’in Into Swing Program
WINTER WONDERLAND
The holiday season is a joyous time to celebrate with family and friends and the songs and spirit of the holiday often take us back to our childhood and time honored traditions. The Side Street Strutterʼs have captured all the warmth and festiveness of this special time of year with “Winter Wonderland”. The ensemble, with their fresh and infectious musical arrangements and entertaining stage presence have brought vitality, sincerity and impressive musicianship to the celebration. Dressed in festive white tuxedo jackets with red accent colors, the Strutters explore many classic Christmas tunes such as “Winter Wonderland”, “Deck The Halls”, “Iʼll Be Home For Christmas”, and “Let It Snow”. There are also beautiful subtle moments in the show such “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” performed on the rare Connosax or a solo piano feature on “Oh Christmas Tree” that takes guests back to the classic Charlie Brown TV special. One of the most emotional moments of the show is “Little Drummer Boy” which begins with solo snare drum and builds to a high energy, funky New Orleans style groove before returning to the soft solo drum. Tap dancing and a performance of “Youʼre A Mean One Mr. Grinch” performed on a rare 6 ft contrabass saxophone.
The Side Street Strutters are quite proud of “Winter Wonderland” and their ability to bring forth the spirit and meaning of these classic songs in their own exciting ,jazzy style
SYMPHONY POPS PROGRAMS
The Side Street Strutters are pleased to present an exciting symphony POPS program designed for small chamber orchestras up to full size 70 piece professional symphony orchestras. The show offers 10 beautifully orchestrated arrangements encompassing a half century of American Jazz Classics. This powerful and entertaining presentation encompasses jazz styles from the New Orleans Dixieland and Blues sounds of Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong, popular jazz melodies of Porter and Carmichael, and exciting swing sounds of the big band era, featuring the music of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and others.
Visit the Symphony POPS tab for more detailed information!
VINYL JAZZ: A CENTURY CELEBRATION
On Feb 26, 1917, the very first commercially successful jazz recording was made. As the world embraces the 100th anniversary of recorded jazz, the Side Street Strutters, with vocalist Meloney Collins, invite audiences to explore endearing melodies that inspired us, reflected a particular time in our countries history, and played a significant role towards the development and enjoyment of American popular music. “Vinyl Jazz-A Century Celebration” recognizes the contributions of many talented artists whose famous and innovative recordings influenced an entire century of American jazz and popular music.