Members: Rick Gadd

Big Tubba Mista's collective experience and expertise range from punk and rock, to jazz. This eclectic mix allows the band to produce a show that is explosive and compelling while retaining the elegance and class inherent in jazz and swing. As they take the stage, BTM's incredible chemistry and command of the stage is immediately apparent as they interact and connect with audiences of all varieties.

Big Tubba Mista was formed in late 1997 by members of the punk rock band, Last Call. In one short year, Big Tubba Mista had become media darlings, playing to consistently packed rooms throughout the region, and being consistently featured in the regional press.

Big Tubba Mista released their debut CD, "The Sting That's Swing", on their own Dynamax Discs label in the spring of 1998. The disc received rave reviews from fans and critics, and was quickly picked-up for distribution by several national chains, including Camelot Music and Hepcat Records. "The Sting That's Swing" has sold several thousand copies without any significant commercial radio or video airplay.

"Knock One Back", the group's 2nd CD, hit the streets in the spring of 1999. Raw and brimming with energy, it was primarily captured as a live studio recording with minimal overdubs. The disc proved to be another success, quickly selling over 5,000 copies. Several cuts from the CD appeared on nationally released Swing compilations such as "New Millennium Swing" (DM Records), and also received heavy airplay as soundtrack music for MTV's "Making the Video" and "Undressed."

Throughout the next three years, Big Tubba Mista continued to perform at a breakneck pace, averaging 125 + shows per year. Performances include celebrated venues such as The Supper Club, The Five Spot, Swing 46, and Windows on the World in New York City, as well as numerous colleges and universities, such as Princeton, Towson University, Washington & Lee, Bucknell University, and many others. In the summer of 2000, folks on the left coast finally got a chance to hear BTM, as the band embarked on their first of several west coast tours, playing to a packed rooms at LA's famed swing club, The Derby, as well as other clubs in San Diego and San Francisco.

Not content to perform at the standard venues, BTM also headlined prestigious music festivals, including the Pontiac American Music Festival in Virginia Beach, VA and the Berks Jazz Festival in Reading, PA. They also managed to make a splash in the political arena, performing at engagements for both political parties, as well as two appearances as an opener for President George W. Bush on his campaign trail.

"Behind the Scenes" was released in June of 2002, and was infused with a highly eclectic mix of swing, country, jazz, and Latin elements. During this period, the band also self-produced and self-financed a DVD documentary, "If You Only Knew", which was completed in late 2002. The 50-minute story chronicles the ups and downs of the group's 7-year history through previously unreleased backstage and concert footage.

Big Tubba Mista continued to perform throughout the Eastern United States in 2006 and released a Greatest Hits compilation. This recording took the most popular songs of the past CD’s and put them on one album. Even today, this CD remains a popular choice by many people as they look to reclaim some of the music from the past out of print CD’s.

In 2007, the band released its latest CD entitled “Time Will Tell”. This album features an eclectic mix of styles in the original music. From their past history of sharing the stage with Royal Crown Revue, BTM’s relationship and friendship with the members resulted in a BTM original song, “Low” to be recorded featuring Eddie Nichols on this CD.