"Scandinavian Christmas" with The Minnesota Orchestra December 20-21, 2014

The Minnesota Orchestra has invited me back for a return engagement as a soloist.  I will be a part of their "Scandinavian Christmas" program under the baton of conductor Sarah Hicks.  The repertoire will include both modern and traditional Scandinavian compositions.  As a special bonus, my good friend Kip Jones of the Ethel Quartet will be arranging my portion of the program!

Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall

December 20th, 2014
2pm

December 21st, 2014
7pm

Tickets Here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/410/-/-#.VD4DVudDcy5

On The Road with Christian Howes

Renowned jazz violinist Christian Howes recorded an album of South American influenced music titled "Southern Exposure" with international accordion super star Richard Galliano.  Howes is without a doubt one of the finest improvising violinists in the world today and a leading educator in the field.  I'm very honored to be filling the roll (or trying to!) of Galliano himself on upcoming tour dates with Howes. 

November 12th, 2014
Chicago, IL -- The Old Town School of Folk Music

November 13th, 2014
Burlington, WI

November 14th, 2014
Fergus Falls, MN -- The Center For The Arts

Vienna Accordion Festival with Stephanie Nilles

Stephanie Nilles is a New Orleans based songwriter and pianist.  She and I have been asked to perform as a duo at the 6th annual Vienna International Accordion Festival in February of 2015.  The combination of Stephanie, a trip across the pond and an accordion festival seem like a sure recipe for enjoyment!  Stay tuned for the full details.

Video: "Size Of My House" with The Thomson Quartet

It's a pleasure to work with composer and saxophonist Chris Thomson.  We've been playing as a quartet with some true luminaries of the music world including James Buckley (Bass) and Martin Dosh (Drums).  Here's a nice little flick of us in Martin Dosh's world famous basement playing one of Thomson's compositions "Size Of My House"

Video: Jack Klatt at The Minnesota Bluegrass Festival

While I am primarily known as an accordionist, I do put on my mulch-instrumentalist hat from time to time.  It's a privilege to play not only accordion, but also steel guitar and washboard with my pal Jack Klatt.  Below is a video of my acoustic steel guitar styles filmed by Pioneer Public Television at The Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival this July.

2014 Festival Season with Jack Klatt

It's a pleasure to pal around with my buddy Jack Klatt.  I play accordion, washboard and resonator guitar with him.  We have a nice little line up of traditional music festivals going on this summer.  All of the line ups are stellar, so if you're feeling like some fresh air and tunes... Come see us!

Riversong Music Festival
July 18-19
Hutchinson, MN
http://www.riversongfestival.org/

Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival
August 1-2
Madison, WI
http://sugarmaplefest.org/

Minnesota Bluegrass & Old Time Festival
August 7-10
Richmond, MN
http://minnesotabluegrass.org/

Walker Art Center's Cat Video Festival

August 14th

Minneapolis, MN

http://walker.org

New London Music Festival
August 16th
New London, MN
http://newlondonmusicfestival.com/

Orchestral Engagements Spring 2014

I'm very fortunate to be able to blend my accordion with world class orchestras on occasion!  This spring I'll be hitting the road under the baton of maestro Sarah Hicks performing the Paris Pops Show.  The program features musette warhorses "Indifference" and "Passion" along with Tangos and Gypsy Jazz for good measure.  If you have friends in these cities, please pass on the word!

April 26th, 2014
Fort Smith Symphony
Fort Smith, Arkansas
http://fortsmithsymphony.org/

May 17th, 2014
Las Vegas Philharmonic
Las Vegas, Nevada
http://www.thesmithcenter.com/events/las-vegas-philharmonic-pops-v-paris-je-taime/

Long Cold Winter... Update

It's been a long hard winter here in Minneapolis.... I sure have been lucky to get out of town a couple times this winter and also with upcoming engagements in Florida, Arkansas and Las Vegas!  At any rate, I'd like to just let some folks at home know that I'll be playing with my good pal Jack Klat on February 27th at the 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis.  Then, off to sunny Florida to play some concerts with my good friend, clarinetist Henry Blackburn.  That's all for now, just wanted to let every know that I'm thriving here in the barren tundra of Minnesota!

For those of your who may not be aquainted with Jack Klatt, here is a bit we filmed for PBS affiliate TPT's "Minnesota Original" Program.  How about that art direction?