Want a sound that's bigger than big, smoother than smooth and funkier than funky? Call Blue Dice.

The nine-piece, horn-driven power-blues-funk collective -- think Huey Lewis and the News, Van Morrison and Blood, Sweat and Tears -- has been playing around Tampa bay since 1995, and they're a regular at food and holiday festivals like Tropical Heatwave. In fact, they just headlined the first night of the 25th annual SummerJazz on the Gulf concert series in Naples.

The lineup comprises singer-guitarist David Bley, guitarist Roger Hughes, bassist Pete Scordato, drummer Mick Ruane, keyboardist Bud Grudnik and horn players Bobby Rose, Dale Gabbard, Ralph Garcia and George Marks. But there are plenty of surprises at every Blue Dice show -- well, unless you've seen them before. Then you're not surprised when a flute, mandolin or harmonica comes out, or almost everyone starts singing.

This weekend, check them out at one of their favorite settings -- the Skipperdome. They'll perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa; tickets are $8.