Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society are the Philadelphia Area's very own "Hot Jazz" band. They specialize in playing Jazz, Pop and Blues tunes from the 1920s to the early/mid 1930s. Led by Drew Nugent, (piano, trumpet and lead vocals) the ensemble typically ranges in size from a trio, all the way up to a ten piece orchestra. The Midnight Society brings forth a true, authentic, and HOT sound that will have you up out of your seats dancing.
2 reviews
Mike M.
May 25, 2022Drew and The Midnight Society brought the Jazz to my Graduation Jazz Brunch! So many of my guests remarked my event was just like a New Orleans Jazz Brunch thanks to Drew, just what I was going for. Drew is a pro and I recommend him without reservations!
Hired as: Jazz Band
Price range: Contact for rates
Languages: English
Gig length: 60 - 240 minutes
We offer an experience. Not only musical, but aesthetic as well. The stage is set with vintage instruments, (i.e. 1920s drum kit, tuba, banjo, trumpet, clarinet, piano etc). All the musicians are decked out in professional, yet classic, attire. A silk banner is draped next to the bandstand, with the Midnight Society crest upon it. The band also features many other forms of complimentary entertainment from performers to roaming characters and even some scandalous surprises. We aim to immerse and transport the audience with our style, music, and swagger.
Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society have been together since the fall of '09. They are what one would call a "Hot Jazz" or "Hot Music" band popularized in the Roaring 20s in big cities and down in New Orleans. The ensemble is based out of Philadelphia, and has come to be known as one of the city's premier Jazz outfits. Led by pianist, trumpeter, singer/songwriter Drew Nugent, the band plays the old tunes with an authentic, yet fresh, and individual approach.
The Midnight Society most always use ALL-acoustic instruments "from the era", and also don classic-cut suits, (or tuxes depending on the occasion). Personnel on a gig can range anywhere from just Drew on solo piano/vocals, all the way up to a 10 piece orchestra. However, the most often booked band sizes range from 5-9 pieces.
Over the course of the band's colorful life so far the Midnight Society has played in many Philadelphian mainstays. As well as many other places. To name a few:
Hearst Castle
Glenn Foerd Mansion - Jazz Age on the Delaware Party
Vesper
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
The Farmers' Cabinet
The Prime Rib
Cosmopolitan Club
Acorn Club
Chris' Jazz Cafe
Orpheus Club
FringeArts
The Trocadero
Paris Bistro
The Saloon
PA 6
RUBA
World Cafe Live
Underground Arts
Union League
Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Barnes Foundation
The Seaport Museum
Fort Mifflin
U.S.S. Olympia
U.S.S New Jersey
Moshulu
Merion Cricket Club
Llanarch Country Club
Philadelphia Cricket Club
The Bookstore Speakeasy
Philadelphia Racket Club
Colonial Dames Mansion
Eastern State Penitentiary
Penn's Landing Catering
American Jewish History Museum
Because of the music we play, our band tends to go with a more acoustic sound. Therefore, the sound set-up is quite minimal - typically only mic-ing the banjo/guitar and the vocals. We use our own 1920s/30s style microphone. It is adaptable to up-to-date sound systems.
Lighting will depend upon the venue as well as the gig. We typically do not provide lighting rigs.
Saturday
Retirement Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Atlantic City, NJ
Sunday
Graduation
11:00am - 1:30pm
•
Wilmington, DE
Tuesday
Campus Event
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Coatesville, PA
Thursday
Restaurant/Bar Event
6:00pm - 8:30pm
•
Philadelphia, PA
Friday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Claymont, DE
Friday
Corporate Event
12:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Claymont, DE
Our repertoire covers an extensive list of tunes, both known and obscure, from the 1920s to mid 1930s.
Here are a handful of tunes we enjoy playing, and can be heard playing often:
I've Found a New Baby
Kiss Me Sweet!
My Baby Just Cares for Me
Three Little Words
Happy Feet
It Looks Like Susie
From Sunrise to Sunset
What'll You do
Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti, Adrian Rollini, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Earl Hines, Jabbo Smith, Red Nichols, Miff Mole, Phil Napoleon, Walter Donaldson, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Isham Jones, J. Russell Robinson, Chick Bullock, Red McKenzie, Don Redman, Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Frankie Trumbauer
A provided sound system is preferred, but we can provide our own equipment.
We do not use electronic pianos. If the venue you are using does not have a piano, we can either A) assist in finding means of getting one there or B) simply just go sans piano
Jazz Band
