Southside Aces perform traditional New Orleans jazz. The band first began as the brainchild of Clarinetist Tony Balluff and Sousaphone player Erik Jacobson. Their whispers and rumors materialized in Tony’s foyer near Pillsbury and 27th in South Minneapolis, late August 2003. Since their first gig on a flatbed truck in Apple Valley, they’ve played weddings, festivals, clubs— “music furnished for all occasions”. The Aces self-produced and released two CDs: “All Aboard!!” on Mardi Gras, 2005, and “Bucktown Bounce” in September of 2006. Their music garnered the declaration, “A true authentic New Orleans dance-hall style band” from the New Orleans Traditional Jazz Quarterly.

In New Orleans, the jazz tradition thrives off a wide array of tunes and styles. With such a wealth of good music from which to draw, the group is dedicated to highlighting the songs and not the players. They possess a diverse repertoire, with a roll call that includes the names of Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington and Bix Beiderbecke. Many songs from lesser-known constellations in the jazz firmament such as AJ Piron and Tiny Parham found their way in there, plus Crescent City classics like Bourbon Street Parade, Just A Closer Walk With Thee and St. James Infirmary. Finally, lets not forget the funky rhythms of brass band powerhouses like Mardi Gras In New Orleans and Palm Court Strut. Songs as good as these don’t need a lot of help!

The Southside Aces have performed at the Times and the Dakota jazz clubs, Peavey Plaza, Mears Park, Hopkins Jazz Festival, and the Doc Evans Jazz Festival. They have driven dancers to a frenzy at national lindy hop competitions: Showdown, at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, and 2007’s “Big Apple” lindy hop contest in Omaha, which, if you’re keeping score, makes us a “territory band”. Found at weddings, birthdays, banquettes and even memorials, the Aces utilize the traditional cannon for its sweetness, its spice, its joy, its sorrow; whatever the mood should call for. They’ll even take requests.

You can now take the Aces home with you thanks to their self-released CD, “Bucktown Bounce”. Find the CD and samples of the songs at CD BABY.

Look for this upcoming band at your local jazz venue, in the park or contact the group yourself and have them over for your birthday or just for dinner. They’re all swell fellows too!