Diana Jacobs

Midnite Mood is a group of seasoned musicians who keep their mix of blues and R&B entertaining and fun! From the dynamic vocals and kickin' rhythm section to the tasty saxophone and guitar riffs, this band has a quality sound that is sure to keep you dancing from start to finish. Diana Jacobs fronts the band with an ever-evolving repertoire of classic blues and R&B, as well as modern and original tunes. Look for an album to come in 2012.

Click "LISTEN" to hear a live recording of Midnite Mood.

Featuring
Mettis Jacobs - guitar/vocals, Jim VanArsdale - guitar/vocals, Mike Burns - bass, Mark Murray - drums, Marty Klueber - saxophone, Sue Ferlenda - backing vocals

All photography on this website by David Conway

For Booking Information - (315) 289- 8827 - Jim jimguitar@hotmail.com  or  

                                          (315) 283-7361 - Diana mettisanddi@yahoo.com

Mettis and Diana have performed together in the CNY area for over 25 years with bands ranging in genre from Blues and Rock to R&B and Gospel. Together they recorded their first cd, entitled I Thank Him, with their gospel group -  Jacobs' Ladder. The title cut of that cd was nominated for a Sammy Award in 2005. Diana has since released a piano/vocal solo cd entitled How Lovely. Diana fronts Midnite Mood with Mettis on guitar as he shares the lead vocals. Their entertaining style and dynamic vocals have become trademark features of the band.

Jim has spent the last 25 years sharing the stage with some of the area’s finest musicians, traveling the bandstands of the Northeast playing lead guitar with Under Construction, Southspoon Blues Band, The Blacke Sheep Shenanigans, Spellbound, and Alibi. In 2001, the readers of the Citizen Newspaper voted Spellbound the area’s Best Regional Band. Jim cites local musicians and teachers Bob Semenza, Bob Bachta, Bob Piorun, and Mark Chitamber as being his biggest musical influences. They introduced him to the sounds and licks of the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Wes Montgomery. In 2010, Jim released his first solo CD entitled I Believe.

Michael Burns is a fretted and fretless bass player and backup vocalist in genres including jazz, r&b, country, folk, blues, klezmer and rock professionally since 1973. He is most widely known for his playing with Florida’s Vickie Lee & Loose Change Band during their 1987 Norwegian tour and for being an integral part of The John Reilly Band and Joe Lonsky’s Destination for nearly a decade. He also appeared with Lonsky’s Destination at the 2004 New York State Fair. Mike has had extensive experience as a studio musician. Over the past years, Mike has recorded with Kenny Derr’s First Take, The John Reilly Band, Roadside Traveler, The Destination, The Scapegoats and Terry and Beth Cuddy’s “A Cast of Thousand”  just to name a few. Along with being the bassist and one of the “Bro Tones” for the Mabel Evans Band, Mike’s current bass projects include Midnite Mood and Lou Nocilly’s Jazzitude. When introducing Mike, Joe Lonsky often referred to him as Mr. Clean for always having the cleanest car and bass grooves around.

Sue Ferlenda, originally from Moravia, N.Y., has resided in Auburn since 1980. She is married with two children and has been singing for most of her life; however, she credits the late Jim Watts for getting her started on her "public" music path as backing vocalist with Jacobs' Ladder. Mettis, Diana, Sue, and Jim Watts worked together in the 12 piece group which released its only cd in 2004 entitled I Thank Him. Sue also sang with the group Too Old to Rap and has worked as a vocal soloist for various ceremonies. Her current love is singing beautiful harmonies with Midnite Mood.

Dave has been playing the drums for over 40 years, and is well versed in all genres of music. Most notable collaborations include Wilmer Alexander Jr., (of Wilmer and the Dukes) as well as Jazz luminaries Sal Nistico and Brother Jack McDuff. He has shared the stage with the likes of Stanley Turrentine, Monty Waters, and David Amram. He has been a member of many local bands, including Four Brothers, Fake I.D, The Villagers, and The Destination. Dave also joins Diana and Mike as current members of The Mabel Evans Band.

"Music is truly the pulse of life."

Marty Klueber has a  Master's degree in music performance from Syracuse University and over 20 years of performing dates.  Marty is a multi-faceted musician.  Syracuse-based groups he has played with include Marsha Hagen and the Night Shades, The Roosevelt Dean Band  and The Travelin' Zone.