Red & the Red Hots
May 22nd, 2011
Red & the Red Hots
Red & The Red Hots / RRH Big Band is a concept I started while working with Linda Ronstadt and Nelson Riddle after the “What’s New” tour of 1983-84. I sang and wrote 4 and 5 part vocals for a section of the show that eventually became Red and the Red Hots which was Linda, 2 or 3 girl singers and myself on piano and vocals backed up by Nelson Riddle’s orchestra. It was based on the vocal groups of the 1940s, 50s and 60s with such groups as the Modernaires, Pied Pipers, Four Freshmen, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross which continued into the Manhatten Transfer. Vocal harmonies intrigued me and although starting traditional, as the group progressed I became more interested in difficult songs to sing – Harlem Nocturne, Caravan, etc. Although starting in 1985 in Texas, after 3 years (and a performance with the Ft Worth Symphony) I moved back to Los Angeles and continued the group there. When the Neo Swing movement hit in the mid-90s, we became a big part of that scene which included Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Bill Elliot Orchestra and many, many others. I added a 5 horn section and worked for a number of years in California and up the West Coast as well as Texas. We became a staple at Disneyland and on many occasions I expanded the repertoire to include a full big band, which I get calls to do that on occasion today. I recorded 4 albums with the group, “Red and the Red Hots”, “Red Hot Jazz”, “The Boogie Man” and “Getting’ Around”. As the group progressed I wrote more original songs in addition to all the vocal and horn arrangements. With the Big Band I do larger events, charity balls, debutante presentations and private parties.
