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 Jan 6th, 2012Concord Experienced Contra DanceConcord Scout House, 74 Walden St, Concord, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat Jan 7th, 2012Concert at Hooker Dunham TheaterBrattleboro, VTwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Sun Jan 8th, 2012Brattleboro Contra DanceThe Church, corner of Grove and Main, Brattleboro, VTwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Fri Jan 13th, 2012 to Sun Jan 15th, 2012Contra CarnivaleSan Luis Obispo, CAwith Elixirw/ Great Bear Trio, Tidal Wave, Susan Michaels, and George Marshall
Mon Jan 16th, 2012Palo Alto Contra Dance 7:30 pm Special post-Contra Carnivale event!
Thu Feb 2nd, 2012Seattle Contra DanceLake City Community Center, 12531 28th Ave NE, Seattle, WAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri Feb 3rd, 2012 to Sun Feb 5th, 2012Dancing Fool Contra Dance WeekendLeif Erickson Hall, 2245 NW 57th St, Seattle, WAwith Elixirw/ Latter Day Lizards and Cis Hinkle
Fri Feb 17th, 2012 to Sun Feb 19th, 2012Knoxville Dance WeekendKnoxville, TNwith ElixirElixir, Great Bear Trio, and Mark Hellenberg (aka "Pokey")
Sat Mar 10th, 2012CDNY Special EventChinatown YMCA, 273 Bowery, New York, NYwith Elixir 5:45 pm Experienced Contra Dance from 5:45 - 7:45, Regular Contra Dance from 9:00 - Midnight
Thu Mar 15th, 2012Concord Contra DanceConcord Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, MAwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Fri Mar 16th, 2012College Hill Contra Dance372 Wayland Ave, Providence, RIwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat Mar 17th, 2012Greenfield Contra DanceGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St., Greenfield, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri Apr 20th, 2012 to Sun Apr 22nd, 2012When in Doubt, Swing!Dallas, TXwith Elixir
Fri May 4th, 2012 to Sun May 6th, 2012May Madness Dance WeekendClarkdale, AZwith Elixirw/ The Groovemongers, The Great Bear Trio, and Will Mentor
Wed May 16th, 2012Amherst Contra DanceMasonic Lodge, 99 Main St, Amherst, MAwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Sat May 19th, 2012Greenfield Contra Dance401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sun May 20th, 2012Brattleboro Contra DanceThe Church, corner of Grove and Main, Brattleboro, VTwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Wed May 30th, 2012Princeton Contra DanceSuzanne Patterson Community Center, Princeton, NJwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Thu May 31st, 2012Glenside Contra DanceGlenside, PAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri Jun 1st, 2012Glen Echo Contra DanceGlen Echo Park, MDwith Elixir 8:30 pm
Sat Jun 2nd, 2012House ConcertAnnapolis, MDwith Elixir 4:00 pm Private event
Sun Jun 3rd, 2012Glen Echo Contra DanceGlen Echo Park, MDwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Sat Jun 23rd, 2012Spokane Contra DanceSpokane, WAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sun Jun 24th, 2012 to Sat Jun 30th, 2012Lady of the Lake June weekCouer d'Alene, IDwith Elixir
Sat Sep 1st, 2012Montpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sun Sep 2nd, 2012New World FestivalRandolph, VTwith Elixir 12:00 pm
Sun Sep 2nd, 2012Brattleboro Dawn DanceGibson Aiken Center, Main St, Brattleboro, VTwith Elixir 8:00 pm We'll be keeping the party going from Midnight to 3:30 AM. Other bands are Wild Asparagus (first set) and the Russet Trio with Quena Crane calling (last set). It's going to be a great night, don't miss it!
Fri Sep 21st, 2012Contrashock IINew York City, NYwith Elixir 7:30 pm w/ Perpetual e-Motion, and caller Will Mentor
Sat Sep 22nd, 2012Contrashock IINew York City, NYwith Elixir 5:45 pm Experienced Contra Dance from 5:45 - 7:45 PM, Contra Dance for everyone from 9 PM to Midnight
Sun Sep 23rd, 2012Contrastock IISpanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir 11:00 am w/ Wild Asparagus, Perpetual e-Motion, and caller Will Mentor
Fri Oct 12th, 2012 to Sun Oct 14th, 2012Elixir Cape Cod Dance WeekendCamp Farley, Mashpee, MAwith Elixirw/ Elixir, Crowfoot and caller Will Mentor, and English Country Dance with staff musicians and caller Melissa Running...plus host (and caller) Mary Wesley, and Tony Hernandez running sound!
Fri Oct 19th, 2012 to Sun Oct 21st, 2012Lavender Country and Folk Dancers Fall Dance CampCamp Chimney Corners, Becket, MAwith Elixir
Fri Oct 26th, 2012Glen Echo Contra DanceGlen Echo, MDwith Elixir 8:30 pm It's the Friday Night Dance Halloween Contra Dance PARTY!
Sun Oct 28th, 2012Glen Echo Contra DanceGlen Echo, MDwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Fri Nov 16th, 2012 to Sun Nov 18th, 2012Fleur de Lis Fling Dance WeekendLouisville, KYwith Elixir
Fri Nov 23rd, 2012 to Sat Nov 24th, 2012Rochester Thanksgiving Dance WeekendSalem United Church of Christ, 60 Bittner Street, Rochester, NYwith Elixir
Fri Jan 4th, 2013Concord Challenging Contra DanceScout House, 74 Walden St, Concord, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat Jan 5th, 2013Montpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri Jan 11th, 2013 to Sat Jan 12th, 2013Phoenix Friends of Traditional Music Mini-Dance WeekendKenilworth School, Phoenix, AZwith Elixir
Fri Jan 25th, 2013Club Passim Concert (opening for Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem)47 Palmer St, Cambridge, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm We LOVE Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, and are honored to be opening for them at Club Passim. This show is sure to sell out, so purchase your tickets in advance. Help us celebrate our Passim debut!

If you can't be there in person you can still watch online via Concert Window!
Sat Jan 26th, 2013Peterborough Snow BallTown Hall, Peterborough, NHwith Elixir 12:00 pm We play from 3 to 6 PM. Full schedule as follows:
12 PM - Moving Violations w/ Rebecca Lay
3 PM - Elixir
6 PM - Crowfoot w/ Steve Zakon-Anderson
9 PM - Latter Day Lizards w/ Lisa Greenleaf
WHAT A DAY!!
Sun Jan 27th, 2013Brattleboro Contra DanceThe Church, corner of Grove and Eliot St, Brattleboro, VTwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Thu Jan 31st, 2013Seattle Contra DanceLake City Community Center, Seattle, WAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri Feb 1st, 2013 to Sun Feb 3rd, 2013Dancing FoolLeif Erikson Hall, 2245 NW 57th St, Seattle, WAwith Elixirw/ The Sevens and caller Cis Hinkle
Fri Feb 15th, 2013 to Sun Feb 17th, 2013Corvallis Contra Dance WeekendCorvallis, ORwith Elixirw/ The Retrospectacles
Fri Mar 15th, 2013 to Sun Mar 17th, 2013Memfest Contra Dance WeekendIdlewild Church, 1750 Union Ave, Memphis, TNwith Elixir
Fri Apr 12th, 2013 to Sun Apr 14th, 2013Dandelion RompOberlin College - Hales Hall, Oberlin, OHwith Elixirw/ Ari and Mia Friedman, Jordon Tice, Gallimaufry, and caller Chrissy Fowler
Thu May 9th, 2013Asheville Contra DanceBryson Gymnasium, Warren Wilson College, Black Mountain, NCwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri May 10th, 2013 to Sun May 12th, 2013Lake Eden Arts Festival377 Lake Eden Rd, Black Mountain, NCwith Elixir
Wed May 15th, 2013Amherst Contra DanceMasonic Lodge, 99 Main St, Amherst, MAwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Thu May 16th, 2013Concord Contra DanceConcord Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, MAwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Fri May 17th, 2013Providence Contra DanceCommunity Church of Providence, corner of Wayland and Lloyd Ave, Providence, RIwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat May 18th, 2013Greenfield Contra Dance401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Fri May 24th, 2013 to Mon May 27th, 2013Almost HeavenTimber Ridge Camp, High View, WVwith Elixirw/ Swallowtail, and caller Gaye Fifer
Tue Jun 4th, 2013Annual Summer Concert Serieson the lawn of the Old Medical Chapel, Castleton, VTwith Elixir 7:00 pm w/ special guest Will Patton on mandolin and bass
Fri Jun 7th, 2013Belfast Contra DanceAmerican Legion Hall, 143 Church St, Belfast, MEwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat Jun 8th, 2013N. Yarmouth Contra DanceWescustogo Grange, Walnut Hill Rd, N. Yarmouth, MEwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sun Jun 9th, 2013Brattleboro Contra DanceThe Church, Grove and Main Streets, Brattleboro, VTwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Fri Jul 5th, 2013 to Sun Jul 7th, 2013Ooh La LaRichmond, Quebecwith Elixirw/ Crowfoot, and callers Rick Mohr and Dana Parkinson
Sat Aug 24th, 2013 to Sat Aug 31st, 2013American Dance and Music WeekPinewoods Camp, 80 Cornish Field Rd, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir
Sat Aug 31st, 2013Montpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sun Sep 1st, 2013New World FestivalMain St, Randolph, VTwith Elixir 12:00 pm We had a great time at our first New World Festival in 2012, and are thrilled to have been invited back for 2013...an all-day festival that is well worth the trip to Northern VT! Don't miss it.
Fri Sep 6th, 2013Concord Experienced Contra DanceConcord Scout House, 74 Walden St, Concord, MAwith Elixir 8:00 pm First dance of 2013-2014 season!
Sat Sep 7th, 2013Peterborough Contra DancePeterborough Town Hall, Peterborough, NHwith Elixir 8:00 pm First dance of the 2013-2014 season!
Sun Sep 8th, 2013Brattleboro Contra DanceThe Stone Church, Main and Grove Streets, Brattleboro, VTwith Elixir 7:00 pm Nils won't be with us, but we WILL have special guest Peter Amidon (calling/trombone) joining the band!!
Fri Sep 20th, 2013 to Sun Sep 22nd, 2013Adirondack Dance WeekendSilver Bay YMCA Conference Center, 87 Silver Bay Rd, Silver Bay, NYwith Elixirw/ Russet Trio, other performers TBA
Fri Oct 11th, 2013 to Sun Oct 13th, 2013Harvest MoonCarillo Ballroom, Santa Barbara, CAwith Elixirw/ Crowfoot and caller Mary Wesley!
Fri Oct 25th, 2013 to Sun Oct 27th, 2013Music City MasqueradeNashville, TNwith Elixir
Fri Nov 1st, 2013Hartwick College Contra DancePine Lake Campus, 1894 Charlotte Creek Rd, Oneonta, NYwith Elixir 8:00 pm
Sat Nov 2nd, 2013Cornell Square/Contra DanceMemorial Room, Willard Straight Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYwith Elixir 4:00 pm Schedule:

4-6 pm - A mix of singing squares and traditional figures...accessible to ALL!
Come, and bring friends.

8-11 pm - Contra Dance

Parking can be challenging on campus. This link might help: ifd.cornell.edu/maps/WSH.html
Sun Nov 3rd, 2013Cornell ConcertAppel Commons 303, Cornell North Campus, Ithaca, NYwith Elixir 2:00 pm Sponsored by the Cornell Folk Song Society.
Fri Nov 29th, 2013Glen Echo Contra DanceSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir 8:30 pm It's Black Friday! Come dance!
Sat Nov 30th, 2013DC Square DanceNorth Hall at Eastern Market, 225 7th St SE, Washington, DCwith Elixir 8:00 pm Details TBA…
Sun Dec 1st, 2013Glen Echo Waltz TimeSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir 3:30 pm
Sun Dec 1st, 2013Glen Echo Contra DanceSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Fri Dec 6th, 2013 to Sun Dec 8th, 2013Winter WarmUpWorthington Community Center, 345 East Wilson Bridge Rd., Worthington, Ohiowith Elixirw/ Gallimaufry
Fri Jan 10th, 2014 to Sat Jan 11th, 2014Phoenix Winter FrolicKenilworth School, 1210 N 5th St, Phoenix, AZwith Elixir
Fri Jan 24th, 2014 to Sun Jan 26th, 2014Florida Snow Ball5500 Shore Blvd. South, Gulfport, FLwith Elixirw/ Great Bear Trio and caller George Marshall
Thu Mar 6th, 2014Concord Contra Dance74 Walden Rd, Concord, MAwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Fri Mar 7th, 2014Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music Concert SeriesNext Stage, 15 Kimball Hill, Putney, VTwith Elixir 7:30 pm w/ The Sweetback Sisters!

Tickets $16 in advance, $18 at the door. Information available by calling (802) 387-0102.
Sat Mar 8th, 2014Jamaica Plain Gender-free Contra DanceFirst Church, 6 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain, MAwith Elixir 7:30 pm
Sun Mar 9th, 2014Club Passim47 Palmer St, Cambridge, MAwith Elixir 4:30 pm Tickets $12
We'll be celebrating the release of Anybody's Guess with a show at Club Passim in Cambridge.
Sun Mar 30th, 2014Glen Echo Waltz TimeSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir 3:30 pm
Fri Apr 11th, 2014 to Sun Apr 13th, 2014Toronto Spring ThawSt. Barnabas Church, 175 Hampton Ave, Toronto, ONwith Elixir
Fri Apr 25th, 2014 to Sun Apr 27th, 2014Portland RaindanceNorse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave, Portland, ORwith Elixirw/ Perpetual e-Motion and Maggie Jo Saylor
Fri May 9th, 2014 to Sun May 11th, 2014Cape Cod Dance WeekendCamp Farley, Mashpee, MAwith Elixirw/ Nor'easter, and callers Sue Rosen (ECD, contras, and squares) and Mary Wesley (contras and squares)!
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