After Midnight

Orbit | Updated: October 5, 2026

Active since: 1999

After Midnight isn’t just a swing band — we’re a living, breathing celebration of America’s greatest musical era. Our repertoire spans the full spectrum of classic swing and small‑group jazz, drawing from the legendary catalogs of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and more. These are the songs that defined a generation, and we bring them roaring back to life with authenticity, fire, and finesse.

But our story doesn’t stop with the classics. We also embrace the modern swing revival, performing the irresistible hits made famous by Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, and Harry Connick Jr. And because After Midnight has carved out its own place in the jazz world, we proudly feature original compositions and even custom‑written works created specifically for our band — music you won’t hear anywhere else.

Our instrumentation is truly one‑of‑a‑kind:
Clarinet, Vibraphone, Piano, Bass, Guitar, and Drums — a lineup inspired by the iconic small groups of the swing era, yet almost unheard of today. The vibraphone alone sets us apart; its shimmering, bell‑like tone and built‑in vibrato give our sound a warmth and sparkle that audiences instantly recognize as uniquely After Midnight.

Over the years, we’ve also had the privilege of collaborating with some of the finest vocalists in the region — extraordinary artists like Lannie Garrett, Rekha Ohal, Jodi Renee, Wende Harston, Lisa Bell, Deejha Marie, and Joni Janak. Our history even includes special performances with actress Lea Thompson and her daughter Madelyn Deutch, adding another layer of star‑studded charm to our story.

From timeless swing standards to rare gems, modern favorites, and exclusive originals, After Midnight’s repertoire reflects decades of passion, craftsmanship, and musical excellence. It’s a history we’re proud of — and a sound audiences never forget.

Legacy Recordings To Release "Duke Ellington: The Original Recordings That Inspired The Broadway Hit After Midnight"

Source: Michael Ricci
May 27, 2014

IN CELEBRATION OF ITS SEVEN TONY NOMINATIONS SONY MUSIC'S LEGACY RECORDINGS TO RELEASE “DUKE ELLINGTON: THE ORIGINAL RECORDINGS THAT INSPIRED THE BROADWAY HIT AFTER MIDNIGHT" DIGITAL RELEASE SET FOR MAY 27 CD HITS STORES JUNE 17 New York, NY: Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Duke Ellington: The Original Recordings That Inspired The Broadway Hit After Midnight May 27th on iTunes and other digital retailers. The CD version hits stores June 17th. This album collects ...
read more

Recording

After Midnight - Live at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee (2011)

Source: Something Else!
March 7, 2011

By Nick DeRiso Clarinetist Roger Campbell has turned an enduring passion for swing legend Benny Goodman into a sizzling six-piece jazz project called After Midnight. It's perhaps no surprise, then, that a new live effort finds him slithering his way through “Memories of You," legendarily performed by Rosemary Clooney with Goodman in the mid-1950s. That's Campbell scooting and shouting on “Benny's Bugle," too. Live at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee even employs the same instrumentation (clarinet, vibraphone, piano, guitar, bass and ...
read more

130

Performance / Tour

Guitarist Michael-Louis Smith to Perform at the Iridium's New Faces After Midnight Series

Source: Michael Ricci
April 17, 2010

Guitarist and composer Michael-Louis Smith's quintet will perform at The Iridium as part of Scobar Entertainment's “New Faces After Midnight" series on Saturday May 1st. The group will appear in support of the new CD, Portrait of MLS (unreleased as of press time)and will include some of the best on the NYC jazz scene; Stacy Dillard on Saxophone, Jeremy Manasia on piano, Diallo House on bass and Jeremy Bean Clemons on drums. The new album has been described as a ...
read more

125

Recording

Organist Ron Levy Releases 'After Midnight Grooves' with Melvin Sparks and Karl Denson on Levtron Records

Source: All About Jazz
June 3, 2004

After Midnight Grooves extends the attention to detail and groove obsession that Finding My Way demonstrated as my pick for “#1 Soul Jazz CD of 2003". Levy slows the rolling boil to a steamy simmer, at times adding “strings" appealing to the smoothest of the hippest 'after hours' jazz crowds. On the other funkier cuts, Levy and celebrated guest artists like Melvin Sparks and Karl Denson add vibrant colors, new dimensions, textures and intriguing arrangements to solid soul jazz rhythms, ...
read more

252

Recording

Bobby Blue Bland's After Midnight is Latest Malaco CD

Source: All About Jazz
January 3, 2003

“After Midnight has its roots buried deep in the Benny Goodman Sextet tradition. Same instrumentation – clarinet, vibraphone, piano, guitar, bass and drums – and arrangements that echo those of the BG six. Playing Goodman-based charts can be fraught with peril unless you have skilled musicians in every chair. After Midnight does.”

The American Rag

“(After Midnight) has been one of our most popular acts for as many years as they have appeared at Evergreen. Excellent musicians, they play the Goodman-Shaw-Herman style small group tunes, but they also cover a wide variety of swing genres beyond the expected repertoire of clarinet-vibe combos: a little bit of Latin, a little bit of “cocktail pop,” a little bit of blues. The band is thoroughly professional, making them a pleasure to work with.”