Several years ago the Stolen Sweets thrilled Creston audiences with vintage musical material from the 1920s to 1940s. The group returns March 17 for a show in the Prince Charles Theatre.
“They have again offered to perform for free at Swan Valley Lodge, as well,” Creston Concert Society spokesperson Marilin Grahn said on Monday. “On the group’s last visit they so enjoyed the reaction of the residents who are confined to their area of the facility — the brightening of their eyes, the gentle tapping of fingers and feet to the tunes. It was magical.”
The six-person group formed in 2004 after rehearsing for a one-off tribute show to the 1930s sister act, the Boswell Sisters. They fell in love with the music and have expanded their repertoire to include other material from the era.
The Stolen Sweets incorporate jazzy guitar accompaniments, reminiscent of Django Reinhardt. Singers Jen Bernard, Lara Michell and Erin Sutherland masterfully blend harmonies and humour into a show that offers something to all age groups. They are accompanied by guitarists Pete Krebs and David Langenes and double bass player Keith Brush.
The group has performed in New Orleans, most recently at historic Preservation Hall, where the set was captured on video for an upcoming documentary about the sextet.
In 2008, the Sweets toured Europe, performing their unique brand of vintage jazz in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany and Slovenia. The group continues to stay busy playing club gigs, private events and festivals all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond as they strive to keep vintage tunes alive, transporting a wide array of listeners back to the early days of jazz.
The Stolen Sweets take to the Prince Charles Theatre stage on March 17 at 7:30 p.m.