Born to a goldsmith accordion player and a ballet teacher, Patrick Harison grew up in an home full of art, music and dance. His father convinced him to pick up the accordion at age 13. Patrick learned how to turn the bulky and boisterous machine into a sensitive instrument by listening to and imitating the masters from every corner of the world. By age fourteen, Patrick's professional career had begun. The heart of his musical education took place on the bandstand, performing Zydeco, Gypsy Jazz, Tango, Blues, Western Swing, French Musette and Klezmer with a long list of skilled musicians. He has had the pleasure of performing with some of the best musicians in the country including Connie Evingson, Coach Said Not To, Doug Kershaw, Sam Miltich, The Mandragora Tango Orchestra, Mark Kreitzer, Jack Norton and Poncho Chavis. Patrick's debut album Streetwalker explores his diverse musical roots with a collection of original compositions, earthy Brazilian grooves and haunting gypsy melodies. After a 16 state national tour, he found himself in New Orleans. There, he hoped to understand the tangled roots of African and American music. In the crescent city, Patrick joined New Orleans' famous Panorama Jazz Band with whom he had the pleasure of performing at the 2006 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Festival Internacional de Jazz in Veracruz, Mexico. Upon returning to Minneapolis he was awarded the 2006 McKnight Fellowship for Performing Artists through MacPhail Center for Music. Presently, Patrick is performing with his brand new quintet of musicians he calls the Anachronous Ensemble. This group performs Patrick's latest compositions which take diverse world grooves to fierce jazz improvisations. The result of this artistic alchemy allows audiences to dance to another place and time. About Streetwalker "An album of international impact." Leigh Kammen of MPR's Jazz Image "Sprinkled with just the right amount panache, Streetwalker, which highlights self-penned songs as well as tunes by Django Reinhardt and Hermeto Pascoal, is a musical revelation- respectful and simultaneously unpredictable. Merging youthful exuberance with a reverence for classic "old school" music, Harison has successfully bridged two worlds, old and new-the musical crossroads being his sublime and refreshing Streetwalker. Skillfully complemented by bass, guitar and flute, Streetwalker accomplishes a rare feat for a debut recording by being unflinchingly self assured, romantic and joyous. Mark my words, Harison is the real deal and a young talent to keep an eye and ear on." Anthony J.W. Benson of inTune