The Afternooners
Singer/Songwriter Jazz
The Afternooners started during the summer of 2015 when singer Devin Smith and guitar player Alex Mejia began rehearsing covers of artist such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Bee Gees and performing at open mics around Portland. Soon, the two started bringing in original material and collaborating on songs together. After various name and line up changes the band became The Afternooners when Jeff Chilton, trombonist and singer, joined the band in the spring of 2016. The band has continued to have rotating members but with Devin, Jeff and Alex the core of The Afternooners' music has retained itself and grown.
The music of The Afternooners is the vision and collaboration of three independent artists from distinct backgrounds working to create a unique sound from a plethora influences. The first music that brought The Afternooners together was a mutual love and respect for jazz, all members of which are jazz musicians in their own careers. Artists from Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Charles Mingus to Robert Glasper and Thundercat have had a considerable impact on the music of The Afternooners. From that foundation, other prominent artists have influenced each member individually; these artists include Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Antonio Carlos Jobim, CSNY, Earth Wind and Fire, Santana, Sting, A Tribe Called Quest, Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, etc. From these contentious sounds and personalities, The Afternooners' music combines lush melodies with exciting arrangements and undeniably dirty grooves.
The Afternooners include: Devin Smith, Singer/Songwriter and guitarist; Alex Mejia, songwriter, guitar and bass; Jeff Chilton, singer, trombone, and percussion; Ben Spriggs, Keyboards and percussion: Chris Ingold, percussion.
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