The Zippers welcome Katherine Whalen back into the fold after the singer took a brief hiatus from the band to record an album of jazz standards. A new album, Bedlam Ballroom, is due in stores October 17.

The initial tour dates take the band to Washington, D.C., Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego and Medford, Ore.

Jazzman Charlie Hunter opens October 25 – 28 and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band appears November 8 -17.

Squirrel Nut Zippers caught on in 1995 with a collection of Jazz Age-influenced songs. Since then, the group has expanded its repertoire to include not only swing, but some old-school R&B, mambo and mariachi-style influences as well.

There are some new band members contributing to the new sound; the tour and album mark the debut of Tim Smith on alto sax, David Wright on trombone, and Reese Gray on piano.