Spring 2023 Update

I wanted to write a very brief note to update the internet on my musical activities.  Now that society is returning to "normal" following the pandemic, you will find more activity here.  I have been taking a step back from full time musicianeering to focus on other aspects of life.  Of course, there are still plenty of musical adventures that I just can't say no to.   Case in point, Patty and The Buttons (or some configuration thereof) can be found at the ASTER CAFE EVERY SUNDAY from 11am-2pm.  There'll be tunes, dancing and drinking just like the old times.  Here's hoping we see you there!

The Thomson Quartet on Current After Hours

I'm always honored to perform with my good friend Chris Thomson and his group The Thomson Quartet.  MPR's Andrea Swenson invited us to participate in her local jazz series "Current After Hours".  We recorded three original compositions and an interview as well.  The segment in it's entirety can be found here:  http://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2015/12/03/after-hours-thomson-quartet

"American Songbook" with Connie Evingson at The Jungle Theater

I'm pleased to be joining esteemed jazz vocalist Connie Evingson for this engaging survey of the American Songbook.  The show will trace the development of American popular song from it's roots in New Orleans al the way to the 1960's folk revival. In addition to accordion, I will also be playing steel guitar, washboard and other esoteric instruments! Joining Connie on piano is the encyclopedic Mr. Jon Weber from New York City.  

Sunday, November 8th, 2015

TWO SHOWS: 4pm  & 7:30pm

The Jungle Theater

2951 Lyndale Ave. South

Minneapolis, MN

Box Office  612-822-7063

www.jungletheater.com 

Patty and The Buttons at MN Orchestra's Sommerfest

My traditional jazz band Patty and The Buttons will be appearing as part of The Minnesota Orchestra's Sommerfest!  Catch us FREE in the Target Atrium Saturday, July 11th from 5-6:45pm.  After our performance, you can catch the orchestra playing some Rachmaninoff in the concert hall as part of the "Inside The Classics" series.

More information:  http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/special-events/sommerfest

2015 Cotati Accordion Festival in Cotati, CA

The Cotati Accordion Festival is world famous for hosting some of the worlds best players.  I'm very pleased to be making my debut at this prestigious festival along with artists like Flaco Jimenez, Cory Pesaturo, Sergiu Popa and Those Darn Accordions!  More information about the festival is available here http://www.cotatifest.com

Flaco Jimenez

"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?

North Carolina Jazz Festival 2014

The North Carolina Jazz Festival is one of my favorite events to be a part of!  I'm very excited to be included in the 2014 lineup along side a long list of Traditional Jazz greats.  You can read a brief Q&A I did for their website here: http://ncjazzfestival.com/about/getting-to-know-2014-festival-performers-patrick-harison/

Track Featured On Tom McDermott's New Release "Bamboula"

Tom McDermott is a good friend of mine from New Orlean's, LA and I am honored to appear on a track of his new release "Bamboula".  The album was produced by none other than Los Angeles based music legend Van Dyke Parks.  I'm on the disc playing one of Tom's original musettes thrillingly titled "Musette in A Minor".  The folks of New Orleans based Offbeat Magazine even gave me a shout out in the review:

"...Accordionist Patrick Harison takes the lead in a waltzing “Musette in A Minor,” as well as what was the piano solo on Almost Native version in this never-before-released take. "

Clea Simon, Offbeat Magazine

"Bamboula" is available via all major music outlets September 1st, 2013

Dakota Dave Hull's CD Release Concert October 19th

It was a privilege to play on Dakota Dave Hull's new 2 disc release "Under The North Star".  Dave has asked me to play some of my rarely heard solo accordion concert repertoire ahead of his set for the CD release concert on October 19th.  We may even reprise some of the tunes from the Album as a Duo... Also on the bill, traditional jazz piano champion Butch Thompson.  Mark your calendars!

Root's Music Series at Republic Seven Corners every Thursday!

I'm very excited to be playing a new music series starting in October at Republic Seven Corners.  I will be taking part in this series playing with several of my bands including Patty and The Buttons, Jack Klatt and The Cactus Blossoms.  In addition to performing you will be able to catch some other great acts like Corpse Reviver, Dreamland Faces and special programming by Hymie's Vintage Vinyl!  EVERY THURSDAY at 9pm! Tell your friends!

Republic Seven Corners
221 Cedar Ave
Minneapolis, MN ‎

Patty and The Buttons, The Cactus Blossoms to combine powers and become “THE CACTUS BUTTONS” ONE NIGHT ONLY at The Dakota Jazz Club, September 15

FROM PATTY AND THE BUTTON'S WEBSITE: We’re very excited to be presenting a show at the Dakota with our buddies The Cactus Blossoms! Both bands will do some playing on their own, then come together at the end of the night for a set as “THE CACTUS BUTTONS”. We can’t in good conscience guarantee that this will happen again, so if you want to see it, y’all better come… For those buttons fans who aren’t acquainted, The Cactus Blossoms are an outfit lead by brothers Page Burkum and Jack Torrey. Known for their tight vocal harmonies, they perform original and traditional material in the style of early Country and Western Swing. Many Western Swing band leaders used to have clarinets and accordions in their bands alongside fiddles and steel guitars. There is also quite an established tradition of New Orleans musicians adding their musicianship and repertoire to what folks like Bob Wills and Milton Brown were doing back in the 1930′s. It seems like a natural to have Patty and The Buttons and The Cactus Blossoms form a hillbilly orchestra the likes of which the upper midwest hasn’t seen for many years!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15th, 2013
7-10pm / ALL AGES / FREE

The Dakota Jazz Club
1010 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
55403
(612) 332-1010

Jack Klatt Midwest Summer Tour Dates

I'm always happy to be playing some box and board with my good buddy Jack Klatt.  We're going to be hitting the road in the next couple of weeks and we'd love to see some familiar faces out and about.  Here are the geographical details:

7/22         St. Paul, MN            Turf Club (w/ The Cactus Blossoms)  8-11p $5    
7/25         Trempealeau, WI     Trempealeau Hotel  7pm  FREE
7/26         Madison, WI            Mickey's Tavern  10pm
7/27         Chicago, IL              Honky Tonk BBQ   7pm
8/2 - 8/3   Canton, SD              Sioux River Folk Festival   Multiple Sets

For more information visit: http://www.jackklatt.com/

Aster Cafe Courtyard Residency

Accordion Fans!  You can find me and accordion at the Aster Cafe courtyard most TUESDAY and THURSDAY nights from 5-8pm.  If I'm not there, another acoustic musician will be there providing some sweet ambience for you.  You should also note that this gig is WEATHER PERMITTING, as it turns out, rain isn't too great for accordions or audience members.  For all the latest updates on weather and guest artists, please follow me on twitter @patrickharison.


Aster Cafe
125 SE Main St
Minneapolis, MN
55414
(612) 379-3138