Brian Setzer Orchestra

Ex-Stray Cats leader Brian Setzer played a huge part in reigniting rockabilly in the ’80s and big-band swing in the ’90s, and though popular interest in both has since cooled, Setzer still plays with conviction. He even proudly wears the same ’50s-style pompadour from the days when “(She’s) Sexy + 17” was a hit. The guitarist and his namesake Orchestra’s spirited new Songs From Lonely Avenue is written as the soundtrack for an imaginary ’50s noir film, a concept perfectly suited to Setzer’s retro stock in trade. He and the orchestra tour especially hard during the pre-Christmas season—and he has plenty of material, with no fewer than five yuletide albums to his name, including 2002’sBoogie Woogie Christmas and 2008’s Ultimate Christmas Collection.

Updated 11/21/2011