Midnight Serenaders

Rank #9 Portland, OR Jazz / retro swing / hot jazz

About

Members: Dee Settlemier-uke & vox; Doug Sammons-guit & vox; Doc Stein-Hawaiian Steel guit; Pete Lampe-bass; Garner Pruitt-trumpet & vox; David Evans-sax & clar.

Sounds Like: R. Crumb & his Cheap Suit Serenaders, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong

Label: ZefEar Music

Manager: Doug Sammons

Bio: 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 gen... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

: Big swing show tonight at the Secret Society Ballroom with Boy & Bean and the Portland Rhythm Shakers beginning at 9pm.

Press

“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

“This group generally finds a groove easily with every tune and does not take itself too seriously. On a lively crashproof number like "Everybody Loves My Baby," they 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. ”

— William Schaffer, Mississippi Rag

“Plenty of bands attempt to recapture the jive sounds of the Roaring Twenties, but most of them just sound, well, jive. Midnight Serenaders is a local combo of veteran swingers who sashay from torch song to hot jazz with panache and a genuine respect for yesterday’s hit parade. ”

— Portland Monthly

““You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Midnight Serenaders’ brand-new album was a long-lost relic from the first part of the 20th century, rescued from a dusty 78 and restored to its former glory.This band of seasoned musicians has essentially done just that with the release of “Magnolia,” reviving lost classics from the vintage jazz era while keeping the inherent giddiness of that time perfectly intact.””

— Barbara Mitchell, Portland Tribune

“There's a risk in playing vintage music, be it blues, jazz or country. Being dynamic, music is best served fresh and freshly inspired. Doug Sammons, a New York rocker turned bluegrass and old-time musician, turned his latest musical epiphany into a swinging sextet that marries the best parts of old country -- a la Jimmy Rodgers and lap steel guitars -- to the swing era of the 1920s and '30s. ”

— Don Campbell, Oregonian newspaper

“Bringing together Portland natives as well as transplants from Colorado to the deep south, the Rose City’s newest 20s and 30s jazz getup is already tickling ears and funny bones with the release of their debut album, Magnolia. To see them live, in character, is a delightful treat but lucky for us, all of the personality shines through in this recording. From Dee Settlemier’s spunky, sometimes growling vocals, appropriate for a uke strumming, flapper dressed front-woman, to the signature, perky Hawaiian steel guitar punctuation courtesy of Henry Bogdan, to Doug Sammon’s top hat and gentlemanly vocals, this combo not only brings the charm of vintage jazz and swing but the spirit, the background and all of the wonderful connotations and quirks to boot. Well suited to their name, the Midnight Serenaders specialize in happy music for hard times: appropriate for the 20s and 30s as much as it is relevant today.”

— Tamara, CD Baby

“The Midnight Serenaders perform some valuable feats of song archaelogy on their recently released debut disc, Magnolia, unearthing droll and charming tunes from the 1920’s and 30’s and dusting them off with good spirits and musical precision.”

— Jeff Rosenberg, Willamette Week

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Songs

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Play "Hot Lovin'"

Hot Lovin'

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Play "Victim Of Love"

Victim Of Love

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Play "Who Walks In When I Walk Out"

Who Walks In When I…

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Play "Daddy Won't You Please Come Home"

Daddy Won't You Ple…

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Play "Baby Darl;in' Baby"

Baby Darl;in' Baby

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Videos

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Shows

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Sat
May 18

The Secret Society
Portland, OR, US | 9:00pm
The Secret Society
Portland, OR, US
Sat May 18 9:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Sat
May 18

The Secret Society
Portland, OR, US | 8:00pm
The Secret Society
Portland, OR, US
Sat May 18 8:00pm
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- Tickets
Details

Join the Midnight Serenaders as they celebrate life and vintage swing with special guests Boy & Bean plus performances by the amazing vintage dance troupe the Portland Rhythm Shakers.
Sat
Mar 9

Tony Starlight's
Portland, OR, US | 7:00pm
Tony Starlight's
Portland, OR, US
Sat Mar 09 7:00pm
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- Tickets
Details

That's right folks, the Midnight Serenaders are going to Hollywood...on NE Sandy Blvd. in NE Portland. This is a perfect place to see and hear the band in an intimate, classy setting. Make your reservation now and get a table near the stage. Call 503.517.8584. $10 cover.
Wed
Feb 20

The Secret Society
Portland, OR, US | 5:00pm
The Secret Society
Portland, OR, US
Wed Feb 20 5:00pm
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- Tickets
Sat
Feb 2

The Blue Monk
Portland, OR, US | 8:00pm
The Blue Monk
Portland, OR, US
Sat Feb 02 8:00pm
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- Tickets
Details

While our steel player, Doc, is busy visiting middle-earth, the infamous Paul Brainard on steel guitar will join us for an evening of hot swing shenanigans! Come on down for some lasagne and cocktails, oh... and to experience the pure exhilaration of your favorite trad-jazzanistas ~ the MIDNIGHT SERENADERS ~ !! Show from 9 to 11:30 pm.