The Southside Aces perform traditional New Orleans jazz. In the fall of 2003, the Aces first sat down in a foyer in South Minneapolis. Since their first gig on a flatbed truck in Apple Valley, they've played weddings, festivals, clubs and all sorts of events and occasions. The Aces self-produced CD "All Aboard!!" hit the streets on Mardi Gras 2005 and, if there are any left, they can be purchased directly from CD Baby .
In New Orleans, the jazz tradition thrives off a wide array of tunes and styles. With such a wealth of good music to work with, the group is dedicated to highlighting the songs and not the players. They take full advantage of diverse repertoire that joins Timeless songs of Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington and AJ Piron with crescent city classics like Basin Street Blues and St. James Infirmary. Songs as good as these dont need a lot of help!
The band first began as the brainchild of Clarinetist Tony Balluff and Sousaphone player Erik Jacobson. Their whispers and rumors materialized in the foyer of Tonys place near Pillsbury and 27th in South Minneapolis in August 2003. After a bit of tinkering the current band has been together since early 2004. You wouldnt know they were such a new band by hearing them. Their experiences in a wide variety of other professional music work have produced a polish in these relatively young guys that belies their years.
The Southside Aces have performed at Peavey Plaza, Mears Park, Hopkins Jazz Festival and more, bringing their sound to more and newer audiences of late. Found at weddings, birthdays, banquettes and even memorials, the Aces utilize the traditional cannon for its sweetness, its spice, its joy, its sorrow; whatever the mood should call for. Theyll even take requests.
Look for this upcoming band at your local jazz venue, in the park or contact the group yourself and have them over for your birthday or just for dinner. Theyre all swell fellows too!
EXTRA! EXTRA!
You can now take the Aces home with you thanks to their self-released CD. "All Aboard!!" represents two performances recorded live at The Times Bar & Café and Lilys Burlesque Review. It has received complimentary reviews from the New Orleans Traditional Jazz Quarterly who called the band "A true authentic New Orleans dance hall style band".
NEW RELEASE! Double your pleasure, double your fun! The Southside Aces have released their SECOND CD, Bucktown Bounce. Thanks to everyone involved and to everyone in attendance at any of the parties from the release weekend. We had a blast!
The band had the extreme pleasure of recording two nights at Patrick's Cabaret in South Minneapolis. We had this great room all to ourselves, and with the help of Wild Sound Studio recorded literally hours of material. Special guest Henry Blackburn stamped his approval with his wonderful sound and touch. To learn more about the "Bucktown" neighborhood of New Orleans, click here .
The CD is available at any Southside Aces show, and will soon be made available online through CDbaby.com. We will let you know as soon as it's up and running, so stay tuned here!
You can also visit the Southside Aces website and sign up for the Southside Aces' eNews. You'll receive all the latest Aces' news, show information and we'll let you know the instant the CD is available online!
