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

Cactus Blosoms LIVE album recording show at The Turf Club, July 5, 2013

I've really enjoyed playing with my buddies The Cactus Blossoms.  I'm very excited to be recording with them on July 5th at The Turf Club.  Music fans won't want to miss this show, I know it will be a good one.  The official press release is below:


For over a year and a half The Cactus Blossoms have called the Turf Club’s well-worn stage home for their weekly Monday residency. To commemorate the end of their warm stay they are inviting everyone to join them for a very special LIVE RECORDING SHOW on Friday, July 5th.

Brothers Jack Torrey (vocals/guitar) and Page Burkum (vocals/guitar) will be backed by some of Minneapolis’ finest with Randy Broughten (steel guitar), Josh Granowski (bass), Jed Germond (fiddle), and Patrick Harison (accordion) on the live album to be released on CD and vinyl later this summer. 

The Cactus Blossoms’ harmonies will still be heard floating down University Ave every Monday from 8-11pm through July 22nd when the residency will officially end, and the band takes to the road with their distinctive sound hitting festivals on the west coast and down south. 

Patty and The Buttons at The Minnesota State Fair August 30-31 2013

We're thrilled to be returning to the Minnesota State Fair for two days of down home fun!  We'll race you to the pronto pup stand on set break... Last year, we even had 42 trombones sit in with us for a tune!  We hope you'll makes us a part of your day at the great Minnesota get-together!

Ramberg Center
(R29 on the State Fair map)

Fri., Aug. 30
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 31
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m.