Anna Patton

clarinetist, composer, teacher

Anna Patton

Clarinetist, Composer, Teacher

Anna Patton plays clarinet with great verve, clarity, and harmonic whim, drawing on a richly eclectic musical background of jazz, classical, traditional, and world music. Based in Brattleboro, VT, she performs full time for dances and concerts, composes and arranges music, and teaches ear training and swing harmony singing.

Anna’s current projects include playing dance music with bands such as Elixir and The Figments, string-band and vocal swing with Housetop, Brazilian and Django jazz gigs with The Will Patton Ensemble, and improvisatory Balkan/ African/ South American influenced originals with the As Yet Quintet. Her solo album, Isadore’s Breakfast – featuring her work on clarinet and vocals along with many of Vermont’s finest musicians – is a mix of French-influenced swing and fiddle tunes.

Contact Anna


802-275-2142

Isadore's Breakfast

Isadore’s Breakfast, a lively, creative mix of Swing and fiddle tunes for clarinet and string band, features Franco-flavored American music including crooked Quebecois tunes, musettes, close swing harmony vocals from Housetop, and a Ben Patton original.

Anna plays clarinet and sings with these fabulous guests:

  • The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle) and Owen Morrison, (guitar/feet)
  • Housetop: Erica Morse (bass/vocals), Naomi Morse (fiddle/vocals), Peter Siegel (guitar/vocals)
  • Will Patton (bass/mandolin/octave mandolin), Dono Schabner (guitar), Mary Lea (fiddle), Jeremiah McLane (accordion), Ben Patton (guitar/vocals), and Demse Zullo (percussion)

Buy a Copy

Isadore’s Breakfast is available at Anna’s performances for $15. You can also purchase the CD online or by mail for $18 per copy (includes shipping).

Click here to buy online and pay securely through PayPal:

Tip: if you want multiple copies you can adjust the quantity in your cart when you get to PayPal.

Or send a check (with your mailing address) to:

Anna Patton
21 West St.
Brattleboro, VT 05301

Listen to Selections

The Blue Egg Waltz

An Anna Patton original, played with Dono, Will and Jeremiah

Let Yourself Go

Housetop sings this classic Irving Berlin number from “Follow the Fleet”

Reel du Love Shack

The Figments play a set of French Canadian reels

Anna's Gig Calendar

Fri May 23rd, 2014 to Mon May 26th, 2014FolkMADnessNew Mexico Tech, Socorro, NMwith Elixirw/ The Privy Tippers and Will Mentor
Sat Jun 7th, 2014Private EventAnnapolis, MDwith Elixir 4:00 pm
Sun Jun 8th, 2014Glen Echo Contra DanceSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Sat Jun 21st, 2014Spokane Folklore Society Contra DanceSt. John Orthodox Church, 4718 E. Horsehaven Ave, Post Falls, IDwith Elixir 7:00 pm
Sun Jun 22nd, 2014 to Sat Jun 28th, 2014Lady of the LakeCoeur D'Alene, IDwith Elixirw/ Lots of great folks. This is fantastic camp in a beautiful setting. Make the trip to join us for the week!
Fri Sep 12th, 2014 to Sun Sep 14th, 2014Swallowtail Dance WeekendCamp Becket, Becket, MAwith Elixirw/ well…Swallowtail!
Fri Oct 3rd, 2014Boulder Contra DanceAvalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, COwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat Oct 4th, 2014Fort Collins Contra DanceCity Park Center (Club Tico), Fort Collins, COwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sun Oct 5th, 2014Denver Contra DanceHighlands Masonic Center, 3550 Federal Blvd., Denver, COwith Elixir 1:00 pm Waltzes and couples dancing at 1 PM, contras from 2 to 5 PM!
Fri Oct 17th, 2014 to Sat Oct 18th, 2014Contra ShockNew York Citywith Elixirw/ Maivish and Will Mentor

Schedule (subject to change):
10/17 - Brooklyn Contra Dance, 7:30 pm beginner’s lesson, 8 to 11 pm contra dance for all
10/18 - CDNY contra for experienced dancers, 4 to 6 pm; 7:30 pm beginner’s lesson, 8 to 11 pm contra dance for all
Sun Oct 19th, 2014Contrastock IVSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir 1:00 pm w/ Perpetual e-Motion, The Coffee Zombies, and callers Will Mentor and Bev Bernbaum.

Don't miss this...it's gonna be another great Contrastock party.
Fri Nov 7th, 2014 to Sun Nov 9th, 2014Atlanta Dance WeekendAtlanta, GAwith Elixirw/ Maivish and caller Luke Donforth
Fri Jan 16th, 2015 to Sun Jan 18th, 2015Contra CarnivaleSan Luis Obispo, CAwith Elixirw/ Wild Asparagus, Crowfoot, and caller Lisa Greenleaf
Fri Feb 13th, 2015 to Sun Feb 15th, 2015Dance FlurrySaratoga Springs Hilton, Saratoga Springs, NYwith Elixir
Wed Mar 4th, 2015Amherst Contra Dance99 Main St, Amherst, MAwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Fri Mar 6th, 2015Concord Challenging Contra DanceScout House, 74 Walden Rd, Concord, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat Mar 7th, 2015Montpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri Apr 10th, 2015 to Sun Apr 12th, 2015Bug Stomp Dance WeekendFelix Davis Community Center
4800 Park Circle East
North Charleston, SC 29405
with Elixir
w/ Contraforce and caller Maggie Jo Saylor
Thu May 7th, 2015Rochester Contra DanceConvenant United Methodist Church, 1124 Culver Rd, Rochester, NYwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri May 8th, 2015Buffalo Contra DanceElmwood Ave & W Ferry St
Buffalo NY 14222
United Stateswith Elixir
7:30 pm
Sat May 9th, 2015Cornell Contra DanceCornell University, Willard Straight Hall, Ithaca, NYwith ElixirSchedule:

12:30pm-2:30pm: Singing Square Caller's Workshop
4pm-6 pm: Contra Dance for Experienced Dancers
8 pm-11 pm: Contra dance for All
Thu May 14th, 2015 to Sun May 17th, 2015Almost HeavenCamp Ramblewood, Darlington, MDwith ElixirWe'll be joined by Mark Hellenberg (aka "Pokey") on percussion all weekend long!

w/ Swallowtail
Fri Jun 26th, 2015 to Sun Jun 28th, 2015Old Songs FestivalAltamont Fairgrounds, 129 Grand, Altamont, NYwith Elixir
Fri Sep 18th, 2015 to Sun Sep 20th, 2015Echo Summit Dance Weekend18880 US Highway 50
Twin Bridges CA 95721
United Stateswith Elixir
Fri Sep 25th, 2015Greenfield Challenging Contra Dance401 Chapman St
Greenfield MA 01301
United Stateswith Elixir
8:00 pm
Sat Sep 26th, 2015Private EventCraftsbury, VTwith Elixir 4:00 pm
Fri Oct 9th, 2015 to Sun Oct 11th, 2015Mountain Madness Dance WeekendJonesborough Visitor's Center, Jonesborough, TNwith Elixir
Fri Nov 6th, 2015Concord Challenging Contra DanceScout House, 74 Walden St, Concord, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat Nov 7th, 2015Montpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sun Nov 8th, 2015Greenfield Fall Frolic Fundraiser Contra Dance401 Chapman St
Greenfield MA 01301with Elixir
2:00 pm A fundraiser for the Friends of the Grange. Elixir will kick things off, playing from 2:00 to 4:30 pm.
Fri Feb 5th, 2016 to Sun Feb 7th, 2016Dancing FoolLeif Erikson Hall, 2245 NW 57th St, Seattle, WAwith ElixirNils will not be performing with Elixir this weekend. With this appearance at Fool, Elixir is launching it's new touring lineup - Brian Bender will be playing trombone!

w/ Riptide and caller Cis Hinkle
Fri Apr 1st, 2016 to Sun Apr 3rd, 2016Epicenter Dance WeekendStrawberry Recreation Center, Mill Valley, CAwith Elixir
Fri Apr 8th, 2016 to Sun Apr 10th, 2016Springforth BallLewis Ginter Rec Center, Richmond VAwith Elixir
Fri Jun 3rd, 2016Glen Echo Contra DanceGlen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir 8:30 pm
Sat Jun 4th, 2016Private eventAnnapolis, MDwith Elixir 4:00 pm
Sun Jun 5th, 2016Glen Echo Contra DanceGlen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Wed Jun 29th, 2016Amherst Contra Dance99 Main St
Amherst MA 01002
United Stateswith Elixir
7:30 pm
Thu Jun 30th, 2016Concord Contra Dance74 Walden St
Concord MA 01742
United Stateswith Elixir
7:30 pm
Fri Jul 1st, 2016Mostly Waltz Greenfield401 Chapman St
Greenfield, MA, United Stateswith Elixir
8:00 pm Waltz workshop at 7:00pm
Sat Jul 2nd, 2016Private EventMontague MAwith Elixir
Fri Aug 26th, 2016Greenfield Experienced Contra Dance401 Chapman St
Greenfield MA 01301with Elixir
8:00 pm Nils Fredland, calling/trombone
with Brian Bender, sousaphone/melodica/trombone
Sat Aug 27th, 2016Private EventBristol, RIwith Elixir
Sat Sep 10th, 2016Private EventGreensboro Bend, VTwith Elixir
Fri Sep 30th, 2016Boulder Contra DanceAvalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, COwith Elixir 8:00 pm with Nils Fredland (calling, trombone)
Sat Oct 1st, 2016Fort Collins Contra DanceCity Park Center (Club Tico), 1599 City Park Dr, Fort Collins, COwith Elixir 8:00 pm with Nils Fredland (calling, trombone)
Sun Oct 2nd, 2016Denver Contra DanceHighlands Masonic Center, 3550 Federal Blvd., Denver, COwith Elixir 1:00 pm with Nils Fredland (calling, trombone)

Waltzes and couples dancing at 1 PM, contras from 2 to 5 PM!
Thu Oct 20th, 2016Old Farmer's BallWarren Wilson College
Swannanoa, NC, United Stateswith Elixir
8:00 pm with Beth Molaro (calling) and Brian Bender (trombone)
Fri Oct 21st, 2016 to Sun Oct 23rd, 2016Lake Eden Arts Festival377 Lake Eden Rd, Black Mountain, NCwith Elixirwith Brian Bender (trombone)
Fri Nov 4th, 2016 to Sun Nov 6th, 2016Foggy Moon Dance WeekendMonterey, CA
United Stateswith Elixir
with Brian Bender (trombone) plus George Marshall and Warren Blier (calling), Barefoot, BLAM, and the Crabapples.
Thu Jan 12th, 2017House ConcertPhoenix, AZ, United Stateswith Elixir 7:30 pm For details and reservations contact: or (602)791-1238
Fri Jan 13th, 2017 to Sat Jan 14th, 2017Phoenix Winter FrolicPhoenix, AZ, United States
with Elixir
with Brian Bender (trombone)
Fri Apr 21st, 2017 to Sun Apr 23rd, 2017Hands Four Spring DanceBerea, KYwith Elixirwith Wendy Graham (calling) and Brian Bender (trombone)
Thu Apr 27th, 2017Concord Contra Dance74 Walden St
Concord MA 01742
United Stateswith Elixir
7:30 pm
Fri Apr 28th, 2017Greenfield Experienced Contra Dance401 Chapman St
Greenfield MA 01301with Elixir
8:00 pm
Sat Apr 29th, 2017Montpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri Oct 6th, 2017Concord Experienced DanceConcord Scout House
74 Walden St, Concord, MA 01742, United Stateswith Elixir
8:00 pm
Sat Oct 7th, 2017Montpelier Contra DanceCapital City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri Jan 26th, 2018 to Sun Jan 28th, 2018Florida Snow BallThe Gulfport Casino Ballroom
5500 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707, United Stateswith Elixir
Fri Apr 6th, 2018 to Sun Apr 8th, 2018Epicenter Dance WeekendStrawberry Recreation Center, Mill Valley, CAwith ElixirWith Naomi Morse on Fiddle and Brian Bender on Trombone
Fri Apr 13th, 2018 to Sun Apr 15th, 2018Call of the Loon Contra Dance WeekendMinneapolis, MNwith Elixir
Thu May 31st, 2018Concord Contra DanceConcord Scout House, 74 Walden St
Concord MA 01742with Elixir
7:30 pm
Fri Sep 21st, 2018 to Sat Sep 22nd, 2018Contrashock 2018Brooklyn Waldorf School
11 Jefferson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238with Elixir
With Nils Fredland and Will Mentor calling, music by Elixir and Wake Up Robin!

Friday 9/21:
7:30 PM Contra Dance Lesson
8-11:00 PM Contra Dance

Saturday 9/22:
2:15-5:30 PM Challenging Contras
7:00 PM Contra Dance Lesson
7:30-10:45 PM Contra Dance
Sun Sep 23rd, 2018Contrastock VIIISpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir 1:00 pm Another great Contrastock party! With Elixir, Maivish, Wake Up Robin, Nils Fredland, Will Mentor, and Susan Michaels
Fri Nov 2nd, 2018 to Sun Nov 4th, 2018Foggy Moon Dance WeekendMonterey, CA
United Stateswith Elixir
Fri Jan 18th, 2019 to Sun Jan 20th, 2019Contra CarnivaleSan Luis Obispo, CAwith Elixirwith Nils Fredland calling and playing trombone!
Fri Jan 25th, 2019Greenfield Contra Dance401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat Jan 26th, 2019Snow BallPeterborough, NHwith Elixir 3:00 pm
Sun Jun 9th, 2019Waltz Time DancesGlen Echo Park, MDwith Elixir 3:30 pm waltz lesson 2:45-3:30
Fri Jun 21st, 2019 to Sun Jun 23rd, 2019Summer SoireeWarren Wilson Collegewith Elixirwith Brian Bender, trombone and Alexander Mitchell, fiddle
Fri Aug 9th, 2019 to Sun Aug 11th, 2019Balance the Baywith Brian Bender, trombone and Audrey Knuth, fiddle
Fri Aug 30th, 2019 to Mon Sep 2nd, 2019Mountain MADnessAvalon Ballroom, Boulder, COwith Elixirwith Nils Fredland & Lisa Greenleaf calling, and Buddy System
Fri Oct 11th, 2019 to Sun Oct 13th, 2019Harvest MoonCarillo Ballroom, Santa Barbara, CAwith Elixirwith Nils Fredland, calling and trombone
Fri Dec 6th, 2019 to Sun Dec 8th, 2019Winter WarmupColumbus, OHwith Elixirwith Audrey Knuth, fiddle and Brian Bender, trombone
Thu Jan 23rd, 2020NEFFA ContraConcord Scout House
74 Walden St, Concord, MA 01742, United Stateswith Elixir
7:30 pm
Fri Jan 24th, 2020Greenfield Contra Dance401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat Jan 25th, 2020Snow BallPeterborough, NH, United Stateswith Elixir
Thu Feb 6th, 2020Lake City contra danceSeattle Latvian Centerwith Elixir 10:30 pm
Fri Feb 7th, 2020 to Sun Feb 9th, 2020Supersonic Contra Dance WeekendLeif Erikson Hall, Seattle, WA, United Stateswith Elixir
Fri Apr 3rd, 2020 to Sun Apr 5th, 2020POSTPONED: Gypsy MeltdownCharlotte, NC, United Stateswith ElixirThis event has been postponed. Stay tuned for further details...
Sun Jun 21st, 2020Fathers Day Zoom Concert & Dance 2:30 pm 2:30 PM EDT / 11:30 AM PDT

A program of waltzes and other selections– swing, fiddle tunes, and a singing square– for your dancing and listening pleasure. We miss playing together! We miss playing for you! So please join us for this event that is a dance party, a father’s day concert, a quixotic musical undertaking, and a reunion of friends from far and wide.

With Anna Patton at the musical engineering helm, we are preparing recorded tracks for each other so that all of us can take turns playing live for you from our homes. We’re taking the opportunity to debut new tunes and songs, as well as playing and singing some old favorites. Join us on Zoom to watch, listen, dance along, and find out what we’ve been up to.

Join on Zoom: www.proyl.com/jQ7fk9RX3
Follow the link above, enter the code that appears on the screen, and you will be forwarded to the Zoom link

Stream on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/3133037080109542

Elixir will donate 10% of proceeds from this event to the Movement for Black Lives in support of organizing to end racist violence and to invest in Black communities.
Sat Nov 7th, 2020Concert for Foggy MoonLive on Zoomwith Elixir 5:00 pm Elixir will perform a live online concert in lieu of playing for the Foggy Moon dance weekend. Details here: www.facebook.com/events/261790015189072