Crackin’ Foxy to Perform in 114th Winter Carnival February 4th
The Arts Council for the Northern Adirondacks in cooperation with the
Winter Carnival Committee is pleased to present “Crackin’ Foxy” at
the Harrietstown Town Hall on Main Street in Saranac Lake on February
4, 2012 at 7:30pm, immediately following the lighting of the 114th
Ice Castle and fireworks. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $8 for
adults $4 for seniors and students -under 5 is free – and can be
purchased at the door. Seating is on a first come first serve basis.
The performance is sponsored by Ampersound and Stewart Shops.
Crackin’ Foxy is a ukulele-driven ensemble featuring close three-part
vocal harmony and tight instrumental arrangements. The Saranac
Lake-based septet is inspired by 1920s swing but plays with a fresh
and joyful energy all its own. Influences include the Boswell
Sisters, Annette Hanshaw, Ted Weems, Bessie Smith, and Django
Reinhardt as well as early Vaudeville and Hawaiian music. Mark
Hofschneider founded the band in 2010 after his wife suggested he
play less banjo and more ukulele. Bass player Pat McAvoy of Rock 105,
guitarist Dan Saulpaugh and clarinetist Zack Jakob arrange hot
rhythms and solos against fast swing tempos to highlight the vocal
harmonies of Abigail Curran, Shamim Allen and Sarah Curtis.
The ensemble’s unique flavor is a sharp contrast to the ubiquitous
North Country roots music scene – which many of Crackin’ Foxy’s
members participate in. Bandleader Hofschneider had a vision to focus
on music of a certain vintage. Hofschneider spends countless hours
digging through archives of vintage jazz, always searching for that
obscure forgotten tune with a catchy hook. He then transposes,
arranges and stylizes it for the ensemble. Once a song is underway
the rest of the band jumps in by adding their expertise, bringing it
to a whole new level. Generally the band sticks to a particular
genre, the “roots of jazz” from the mid 1920′s – the early 1940′s.
However, they have been known to introduce modern pieces by Leonard
Cohen, The Squirrel Nut Zippers and Nina Simone and adapt it to this
period’s style and feel.
The ladies and gents dressed to the nines in formal attire give
Crackin’ Foxy an elegance that’s an attraction in itself. Close vocal
harmonies with each vocalist stepping forward to be featured solo,
draws the listener in, unfolding each distinctive personality.
Guitarist Saulpaugh plays intricate melody lines on nylon-strung
guitar, alternating with the sharp timbre of Jakob’s saxophone and
clarinet. Hofschneider’s rhythmic pulse coupled with McAvoy’s bass
anchors without cluttering the space.
A special treat and staple of their sets is “Nagaski” with words
re-worked by bandleader Hofschneider, evoking amorous lumberjacks in
an “Adirondack-shacky.” No doubt the ensemble will pay some service
to this year’s Winter Carnival theme, “Space Alien Invasion.” At
press time this was a well-guarded secret, as we’re all anticipating
surprises for this special performance.
For more information call ACNA at 518 .962.8778 or
info@artsnorth.org
