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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
***SERENADERS
NEWS UPDATE:
The Midnight Serenaders new CD, entitled HOT LOVIN', is
here.
Three
CD's now available:
"Magnolia" - released in 2007
"Sweet Nothin's" released in 2009
"Hot Lovin'" released in 2011
Proving
that hot jazz and vintage pop of the 1920’s and 30’s
is as relevant as ever in the present day, the Midnight Serenaders
provide an infectious and irreverent take on the raucous and
carefree music of “The Jazz Age.” Far from a simple
repertory band, they infuse their repertoire with a genuine
groove and energy truly appropriate to this revolutionary
music that took the country by storm in its heyday. Led by
the charming frontline of crooner/rhythm guitarist Doug Sammons
and ukelele-strumming chanteuse Dee Settlemier, the Serenaders’
repertoire consists of classics by the likes of Fats Waller
and Ethel Waters, obscure tunes by Clarence Williams carefully
unearthed by the band, and an increasing number of Settlemier’s
originals which mesh indistinguishably with the classic repertoire.
Sammons and Settlemier’s
vocals and strumming are backed up by a cast of fine musicians
from the vibrant Portland, Oregon music scene. Bassist Pete
Lampe’s casual on-stage swagger belies his rock solid
groove, which when combined with Sammons’ mastery
of the rhythm guitar creates such a solid pulse that no
drummer is required. The unique and brilliant addition of
Henry Bodgan on Hawaiian steel guitar is one of the band’s
strongest points. Bodgan floats over the steady swing, providing
just the right amount of vintage tropical flair to elevate
the ensemble sound to a unique level, and even provides
an occasional Hawaiian instrumental number for a stylistic
change of pace. The ensemble is rounded out by the melodious
clarinet and saxophone of David Evans, a long-time New Orleans
resident who brings the bluesy grit of the Crescent City
to the Pacific Northwest, and the thrilling and powerful
trumpet of Garner Pruitt, whose crackling style bursts out
from behind his vintage red-and-white bucket mute.
The Midnight Serenaders have been
a fixture on Portland’s music scene since 2005 and
have built up a strong fan base across many demographics.
At a Serenaders show you’ll find a healthy sampling
of Portland’s many swing dancers, traditional and
modern jazz enthusiasts, young couples out for a classy
evening, folks who remember this music from their own youth,
hipsters in vintage clothing, and many others who appreciate
the band’s tight and thrilling fast numbers, sultry
and risque blueses, and beautifully harmonized ballads.
The band has performed at many of Portland’s finest
venues and festivals around the region such as the Sun Valley
Jazz Jamboree, Cascade Head Music Festival, Willamette Valley
Music Festival, and Portland Lindy Exchange.
The Serenaders have recently released
their third album, “Hot Lovin,” after their
first two albums “Magnolia” (2007) and “Sweet
Nothin’s” (2009) were release to critical acclaim.
The Portland Tribune declared that their first album “revived
lost classics from the vintage jazz era while keeping the
inherent giddiness of that time perfectly intact,”
and Portland Monthly says of their second album: “Plenty
of bands attempt to recapture the jive sounds of the Roaring
Twenties, but most of them just sound, well, jive. Midnight
Serenaders...sashay from torch song to hot jazz with panache
and a genuine respect for yesterday s hit parade.”
Their new album features some new originals by Settlemier
and ups the ante with the presence of several special guests
with notable Portland jazz pianist/composer Andrew Oliver
on piano and on accordion Eric Stern, leader of the popular
Bohemian Cabaret act Vagabond Opera. The Midnight Serenaders
continue to swing along in the modern age, helping to ensure
that the joyous swing of one of America’s most original
art forms will never be forgotten.
