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