Maud Hixson©Andrea Canter

“Maud seems to have taken the Cole Porter line in the song ‘Now You Has Jazz’ to heart, as she has found ‘a spot, cool and hot’ from which to present her musical persona: The cool, even phrasing and temperament of the post-modern movement meets the subtle yet insistent swing of the original stylists of the 20s, 30s and 40s. ‘Cool and Hot’ indeed.” – Arne Fogel 
 

In a relatively short time, vocalist Maud Hixson has become one of the Twin Cities’ most popular songbirds. From her long-running duo with Arne Fogel to her frequent appearances at area swing dance venues, Maud has attracted a wide following, appealing to anyone who enjoys hearing—and feeling—the lyrics of the great American songwriters. And husband Rick Carlson has been well known to local fans of classic swing as the pianist for Wolverines Jazz Orchestra and its smaller offshoots that frequently perform at the Times. In November, Maud and Rick released a CD of favorite and newly discovered tunes in the intimate context of just voice and piano, Love’s Refrain, which topped many area “best of the year” lists. The Artists Quarter invites you to celebrate Valentine’s Day (on February 14th) with only Maud and Rick Carlson on stage, allowing listeners to focus on the melody, the lyric, and the gentle interaction of the two musicians.  

All About Maud and Rick

Growing up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Maud Hixson “always enjoyed singing… listening to everything around me and making up words to songs I already knew.” Seeing on television the musical films of the 30s and 40s introduced her to such stars as Judy Garland, Doris Day, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra. Eventually she fell in love with the music of the Gershwins, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and Rodgers and Hart. Although she did take a few formal voice lessons, Maud notes that “my education has mostly come from studying recordings and live performances.” Listening to Prairie Home Companion was one of those sources of inspiration, as was a performance by Jimmy Scott and her encounters and ultimate collaborations with Arne Fogel (whom she first heard on MPR’s Arne Fogel Presents) and Wolverines’ pianist Rick Carlson—who became her husband. One of the most active singers in the Twin Cities, Maud performs regularly with the Wolverines (big band and trio), performed in a celebrated duo with Arne Fogel; and has appeared at many area music venues, including The Times, Rossi's Blue Star Room, the Dakota, Cue, Dakota County Steakhouse and aboard the Minnesota Zephyr. She’s also become one of the favorites of the area swing dance community. In 2006, Maud was selected to participate in the famed Cabaret Conference at Yale University.  

Rick Carlson©Andrea Canter

Maud and Rick met at the Times in 2001. They began listening to music together, seeking out buried treasures. “We love nothing more than being able to unearth something we think is valuable and perform it the next night; to get it out into the air and hear an audience reacting to it again. Being able to do this inspires us and gives us a great outlet for our musical tastes.” 

Maud’s previous recordings include the demo Small Batch and the duo recording with Arne Fogel, Let’s Not Be Sensible. Love’s Refrain is her first full-length solo release. And it was a couple of ardent fans who prompted the CD project. Notes Maud, “For my first time in the studio, in 2004, I sang for a couple of hours with Rick. Some of what we recorded that day became my demo, Small Batch. We were so excited about it and released it instantly, forgetting to put my name on the cover, but people really liked it, and kept asking for more of the same. Last year, a couple of fans [Bob and Pat Mall] approached us, wanting to produce this CD, specifically asking for ‘another Small Batch.’ It was also the perfect follow-up to my experience at the 2006 Cabaret Conference at Yale.” 

For some couples, collaborating on a duo recording might prove risky. But Maud explains that “being married made the challenges easier to negotiate on this new project. We talk about music a lot, and it's a luxury to be able to ask questions as they pop into your head, muse at length, and put all your silly ideas out there. Plus, we already trusted and understood each other's ears, perspective, and taste. We also managed to stay out of it when we had our individual struggles to find our way in the studio.” 

Love’s Refrain

The new recording is a perfect reflection of Rick and Maud—filled with beautiful melodies and enticing lyrics, yet generally avoiding the blockbusters of the Great American Songbook in favor of equally classic but less-often-sung gems from some of the most admired songwriters of the 20th century. The duo covers Rodgers and Hart, Bob Dorough, Bing Crosby, Harold Arlen, Van Heusen and Burke, Kern and Fields, Strayhorn and Bernstein, and of course Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust,” which provides the snippet of lyric for the title. Each track is a straightforward, gentle swing that pulls the listener inside a warm embrace created by Maud and Rick; it’s a set of ten private moments expanded ever so slightly by our presence. 

And nothing compares to hearing Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson live, sharing those private moments with us for a special Valentine’s Day evening. Come down to the Artists Quarter on February 14th and bring someone you love. 
 

The Artists Quarter is located in downtown St. Paul, 408 St Peter Street; www.artistsquarter.com. CDs will be available at the show. Further information at www.maudhixson.com. For a review of Love’s Refrain, click here.

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