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“The
Midnight Serenaders recreation of Jazz Age swing is so convincing
that it’s often difficult to differentiate between
old standards and the band’s original tunes. Ukelele-strumming
songbird Dee Settlemier and co-vocalist Doug Sammons perfectly
communicate the coy innocence of a bygone era, while their
bandmates offer a sprightly musical backdrop.”
Barbara
Mitchell , Portland Tribune
Two CD's available:
"Magnolia" - released in 2007
"Sweet Nothin's" released in 2009
Riding
the crest of the neo-traditional jazz craze presently occurring
on the West Coast, the MIDNIGHT SERENADERS are a six-piece
swing band playing regularly to enthusiastic audiences throughout
the Pacific Northwest. Performing vintage pop, Hot Jazz, and
Hawaiian instrumentals, as well as an expanding collection
of Jazz Age-sounding original songs, these six veteran musicians
strive to share their love for the music of the 1920’s,
30’s and 40’s. With an exciting stage show, tight
musical arrangements, and outstanding solo and harmony vocals,
MIDNIGHT SERENADERS fans include nostalgists, swing dancers,
melody junkies, retro-clothing hounds, and folks who simply
appreciate good quality, jubilant music.
The
group released their first full length recording, “Magnolia,”
in 2007; following up that effort with their CD entitled
“Sweet Nothin’s” early in 2009. This latest
recording, engineered by Gregg Williams (China Forbes, Quarterflash)
includes several original numbers penned by ukulele-plinking
chanteuse Dee Settlemier, songs which fit seamlessly into
the group’s older catalog collection. The Portland
Tribune has noted that the Midnight Serenaders’ “…recreation
of Jazz Age swing is so convincing that it’s often
difficult to differentiate between old standards and the
band’s original tunes.”
Founding
members Doug Sammons (guitar & vocals) and Henry Bogdan
(Hawaiian Steel guitar) first met and started making music
together in 2005, when they discovered a mutual appreciation
for the music of country music legend Jimmie Rodgers. They
were especially drawn to his jazzier pop recordings that
featured horns and steel guitar. They decided to add other
instruments to the mix, and also began to include more pop
oriented songs from the early 20th century. Gradually the
band evolved to its present formation.
With
extensive experience within the Portland, Oregon jazz and
swing scene, bassist Pete Lampe brought his rock-solid bass
playing to the group. Garner Pruitt, vocalist and trumpet
player extraordinaire, is a multi-instrumentalist and genuine
jazz cat, having played with many groups from Denver to
Boise to Portland. David Evans is a brilliant clarinet and
saxophone player and brings to the group years of experience
performing in the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans, and is
a highly sought out reed man in Oregon and Washington. Multi-instrumentalist/vocalist
Dee Settlemier took up the ukulele upon joining the MIDNIGHT
SERENADERS, and is the resident diva and primary songwriter
for the group.
The
MIDNIGHT SERENADERS have recently garnered much attention.
In February 2009 they were featured on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s
Oregon Art Beat, they have made two separate appearances
on KMHD-FM’s Homegrown Live Radio show, and the group’s
recordings were highlighted on KINK-FM’s Local Music
Spotlight. They have performed at various prestigious festivals
throughout the region, including the Cascade Head Music
Festival, the Willamette Valley Music Festival, the Think
Swing Jazz & Blues Festival, the Portland Rose Festival,
and the Portland Lindy Exchange. Other notable nightclub
appearances include Jimmy Mak’s, Mississippi Studios,
Tony Starlight’s Supper Club, the Doug Fir, and the
Crystal Ballroom.
The
online traditional jazz magazine, Mississippi Rag, sums
it up thus: “The MIDNIGHT SERENADERS take off
gracefully and flawlessly and remind us just how much plain
fun this kind of music can be – a 100% important and
worthy ability to be cherished and applauded.”
The MIDNIGHT SERENADERS genuinely love the music they perform.
They plan to continue bringing their show and music to wider
audiences, and hope to fill their next recording with a
vibrant batch of original songs. Let yourself be sweetly
serenaded.
