Stolen Sweets bring vintage jazz to Orcas Center

Swiped from Portland, Ore. for a one-night show, The Stolen Sweets will perform on Orcas Island for the first time November 7.

The performance comes on the heels of their latest creative project, their newly-released CD "Sleepytime in Chinatown."

Vocalists Jen Bernard, Lara Michell and Erin Sutherland, guitarists and vocalists Pete Krebs and David Langenes, and double bass player Keith Brush are The Stolen Sweets. They are the original six members of the band which who have been playing together for five years.

The Stolen Sweets released their second CD "Sleepytime in Chinatown" on Oct. 10. "Sleepytime" was the first project on which The Stolen Sweets wrote their own songs. Jen Bernard explained their first CD, "Shuffle Off to Buffalo," was made of all vintage jazz tunes, both standards and some obscure finds, but all covers. "Sleepytime in Chinatown," however, was the first time The Stolen Sweets drew inspiration from vintage jazz but incorporated their own originals.

"It was really fun to kind-of put our stamp on the stuff and it felt authentic," Bernard told the Islands' Sounder.

The Stolen Sweets formed in 2004 to revive the songs of the 1930s sister act The Boswell Sisters. The Boswell Sisters were popular harmony singers who performed with the Dorsey Brothers, Bunny Berigan, Eddie Lang, and Benny Goodman. Their music was auspicious, good-humored, and provided a ray of hope to listeners during the dispiriting economic depression of the day.

As the band has evolved, The Stolen Sweets' expanded to include material from the 20s through 40s. Their arrangements are still inspired by the Boswells' tight three-part harmonies and frequent tempo changes. The Stolen Sweets' showmanship is based on coy flirtations and knowing looks that ricochet through the members and audience.

By keeping within a specific era, The Stolen Sweets keep vintage tunes alive and introduce a widening audience of listeners to the early days of jazz.

"We've performed all over the world," Bernard said. "We have done several tours including seven different European countries."

Bernard explains it took The Stolen Sweets five to six months for the band to refine their material before performing their style of old jazz.

"The music that we do is very complex," Bernard said.

Bernard says The Stolen Sweets are like any other family who likes being around each other sometimes, some days more than others, and that each of the Sweets brings to the band a skill that completes their set.

"We love each other," Bernard said.

The Stolen Sweets will perform at Orcas Center on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $24, $16 for members, and $10 for youth, and available at 376-2281 or orcascenter.org.

The Lower Tavern will host Burgers and Brews at Orcas Center in the Madrona Room before The Stolen Sweets show. Burgers and beer will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. for $12. A special price of $25 gives the ticket holder The Stolen Sweets show, a burger and a beverage. All proceeds benefit Orcas Center programming.

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