Jazz Police - French 75 and Maud Hixson Swing at the Dakota, August 15th

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Wednesday, 19 June 2013

French 75 and Maud Hixson Swing at the Dakota, August 15th

Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor

Tuesday, 14 August 2012

Maud Hixson©Andrea Canter

Popular songbird Maud Hixson musically crosses the Atlantic with French 75 for a return engagement at the Dakota Jazz Club on Wednesday, August 15th. Featuring 20th century jazz standards that mostly came to the United States from Europe, Maud and company will perform songsin both their continental and American incarnations (including foreign language lyrics). The band will also explore the repertoire that came to us from other cultures, such as Brazil, and feature some American jazz that was popular "over there.”

French 75©Andrea Canter

French 75 is named for a World War I cocktail, referring to a 75-millimeter French artillery gun, and originally made with cognac (now gin) and champagne. In addition to vocalist Maud Hixson, this night's jazz edition of French 75 includes leader/clarinetist Tony Balluff, saxophonist Gus Sandberg, accordionist Patrick Harison, bassist Steve Pikal and drummer Nathan Norman, musicians who readily bring a rich palette of elements to Balluff’s original arrangements.

Tony Balluff ©Andrea Canter

Considered one of the area’s leading clarinetists, Tony Balluff became seriously immersed in jazz when he met Bill Evans and began his tenure with Evans’ New Orleans Jazz Band in the late 1990s. Certainly one of the Twin Cities’ busiest performers, Tony currently plays not only with Evans but also with the Southside Aces, Creole Four (dedicated to the music of Sidney Bechet) and Patty and the Buttons (with accordionist Patrick Harrison). He’s also a frequent guest performer with area hot club bands (Southside Aces, Creole Four), Bill Evans New Orleans Jazz Band, and the Brass Messengers.

One of the Twin Cities’ most popular songbirds, Maud Hixson has attracted a wide following as a talented interpreter of the great American songwriters. From her long-running duo with Arne Fogel to frequent appearances with the Wolverines and particularly in duo with husband Rick Carlson, Maud has brought the lyrics of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and more to life at the Dakota, Artists Quarter, The Lexington, and may other area venues. In late 2008, Maud made her New York debut at The Duplex with a cabaret show spotlighting songwriter Mickey Leonard; she returned (twice) to the Big Apple in 2011 as part of a larger-scale salute to Leonard at the Metropolitan Room and again as part of the New York Cabaret Conference gala concert. She performed with Erin Schwab in “Coward’s Women” at the Guthrie, with Lee Engele in “Chanteuse Diaries” at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, and in a number of productions with Arne Fogel at the Bloomington Center for the Arts.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point, saxophonist Gus Sandberg is heard around the metro as a member of the Jack Brass Band, with blues pianist Tom Hunter, and with singer/songwriter Lizzy Rain. One of the local monsters of accordion, Patrick Harison's only formal training was at the hands of the late Larry Malmberg. Experienced with area hot clubs (Parisota, Clearwater), Patrick spent serious time in New Orleans, returning to Minnesota where he performs as Patty and the Buttons and with a number of jazz, klezmer and swing ensembles. Bassist Steve Pikal is well known locally for his work with the Wolverines Big Band and Trio, as well as with the popular Barbary Coast Dixieland Band. He also did a recent stint with Jim Cullum's Band in San Antonio. Nathan Norman has an extensive resumé behind the trapset, performing with area artists including vocalists Debbie Duncan, Connie Evingson and Charmin Michelle. He’s also played and recorded with Bill Banfield, Nancy Bierma, Robert Huntley and more, and was a founding member of the Illicit Sextet.

If you’ve heard Maud Hixson at local clubs, undoubtedly you are familiar with her facility with French lyrics, a happy remnant of her first career as an interpreter, making her the perfect singer to front French 75. French, British or Americana, the music will swing in two languages. What better way to celebrate the final weeks of summer?

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Music begins at 7 pm; reservations at 612-332-1010; www.dakotacooks.com

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