Patty and The Buttons preach the gospel of hot rhythm and happy feet! The band is similar to what you would find in a dancehall, cafe or speakeasy between 1920 and 1940. Leader and accordionist Patty spent the early part of his life playing on street corners around the world while learning tunes from the old masters of traditional music. His eclectic taste gives the band diverse influences including New Orleans Traditional Brass Bands, Early Blues, Gypsy Jazz and 1920’s Popular Song. The core instrumentation of accordion, clarinet, guitar and bass is light and swift but also melancholic and lush when it needs to be. Patty, mostly known as an accordionist, doubles as the band’s vocalist. His voice is inspired by the soulful old time hollers and croons from the dawn of recording. While steeped in traditional roots, they present an engaging show that is accesible to modern audiences. More than anything, The Buttons is a group that is always enjoying themselves, which seems to give audiences permission to do the same!
Patty and The Buttons formed in the fall of 2008 when accordionist and vocalist Patrick “Patty” Harison returned to his midwestern home of Minneapolis. In 2006, Harison was a recipient of the McKnight Fellowship For Performing Musicians and had spent the previous two years traveling the world immersing himself in diverse musical traditions. As a soloist, he has performed along side many household names including Doc Severinsen, Bucky Pizzarelli and a number of the nation’s leading orchestras. He has appeared at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Veracruz International Jazz Festival, Fête Du Music and other international festivals. Patrick’s formative years were spent touring with groups based out of New Orleans and New York City including The Panorama Jazz Band, Baby Soda and Loose Marbles. These musicians instilled in him a deep passion for the early jazz and blues traditions in America. Patty and The Buttons are a continuation of Patrick’s passion for this contagious music.
Band Members (Buttons):
Patrick “Patty” Harison – Accordion/Vocals/Steel Guitar/Washboard/Ukulele
Keith Boyles – Bass
Tony Balluff – Clarinet
Mark Kreitzer – Guitar
Notable Appearances:
- Old Town School of Folk Music
- Las Vegas Philharmonic
- North Carolina Jazz Festival
- Minnesota Orchestra’s Sommerfest
- Northwestern University
- Vienna Accordion Festival
- Minnesota State Fair
- North Carolina Orchestra
- Cotati Accordion Festival
- New London Folk Festival
- Barbette’s Bastille Day Block Party
- Carleton College
- Riversong Music Festival
- New London Music Festival
- Hawkeye Swing Festival
- Loring Park Acoustic Music Festival
- Midwest Lindyfest
- Northeast Accordion Festival
- Riversong Music Festival
- St. Olaf College
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
Notable Collaborators and Guests:
- Tom McDermott (New Orleans, LA)
- Evan Christopher (New Orleans, LA)
- Kevin Clark (New Orleans, LA)
- Richard Smith (Nashville, TN)
- Jacob Sanders (Chicago, IL)
- Butch Thompson (Minneapolis, MN)
- The Cactus Blossoms (Minneapolis, MN)
- Jack Klatt (Minneapolis, MN)
- Connie Evingson (Minneapolis, MN)
- Maud Hixson (Minneapolis, MN)