Alex Meixner

Artist Information

Biography

Alex Meixner, a 2007 Grammy nominee, is a musical chameleon. He has performed traditional ethnic music since he was 4 years old and has extensive experiences in a wide variety of musical genres (everything from classical to jazz to pop to world music from around the world!) His true passion lies in entertaining audiences.... he does this primarily with an international party mix of polka music.

The Alex Meixner band is equally at home playing a traditional Oktoberfest or amped up Rocktoberfest while also having the ability to meld into a swinging jazz combo, gypsy world-beat band, authentic European folk ensemble or smoking zydeco-blues group at the drop of a hat

See a live show. Become a believer.

Instrumentation

Michael Fortunato - Vocals, Sax, flute, Clarinet
Ed Klancnik - Drums
Jon Asbath - guitar and vocals
Alex Meixner - Vocals, Trumpet, Piano Accordion, Valve Trombone, Alphorn, Diatonic Button Accordion

Discography

Solo/Band Leader/Featured Artist:

3 Ring Circus by Alex Meixner (Meixner Music Productions- 2011)

Stay All Night by Alex Meixner (Meixner Music Productions 2009)

Family Tradition by Alex Meixner (Meixner Music Productions 2008)

Polka Freak Out! by Alex Meixner & Bubba Hernandez (Moon Zero Bird Records 2007)
Grammy Nominee - Best Polka Album 2007

...And over 50 other recordings with artists in numerous Folk, Polka, Jazz and world music genres.

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Stay All Night
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• The Devil Went Down to Munich
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• Family Tradition
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• El Si? O No?
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• Ramo, Ramo
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Alex at the Tomball German Heritage Festival [+ Show ]
  

  People can’t help but dance when they are under the influence of Alex’s music and the energy he expo...People can’t help but dance when they are under the influence of Alex’s music and the energy he exports!

• Alex Meixner Band [+ Show ]
  

  Somehow The Weather Channel failed to mention the biggest hurricane to hit Texas since Ike. Maybe it...Somehow The Weather Channel failed to mention the biggest hurricane to hit Texas since Ike. Maybe it is because this super powerful force of nature blew in from Allentown, Pennsylvania and not from the Gulf Coast. Yes, I said Allentown, PA — the home of one Alex Meixner, arguably the most dynamic, electrifying musical performer working today. If Alex's energy could be harnessed to an electrical grid, he could power all of Central Texas for a year.
  
  And speaking of Central Texas, that's just where we most recently saw the Alex Meixner Band perform — at the venerable New Bruanfels Wurstfest, a ten–day celebration consisting of beer and sausage and beer and potato pancakes and beer and kartoffel and, well, you get the idea. Oh yes, and music, too, where every evening as many as three bands play simultaneously in separate musical venues situated within the Wurstfest grounds. That's a lot of music, but, for ten consecutive years, the one band that packs them in to capacity, performance after performance, has been headlined by Alex Meixner.
  
  Step aside Whitesnake, Metalica and Twisted Sister — Alex possesses a stage presence and exuberance and kinetic energy that makes you guys look lame and tame in comparison. Lederhosen never looked so hip.
  
  Backed this year by three highly talented accomplices, the Alex Meixner Band set a new standard for fun, zaniness, musicality and perspiration. Phalanges flew faster than a hummingbird's wings when Alex literally attacked his button box while belting out a truly eclectic array of unexpected tunes, all with a “Meixnerian” slant that had everyone, including the usually sedate fans of Lawrence Welk Champagne–style Music, cheering wildly and forming Conga lines as long and spirited as any during Carnival in Rio.
  
  Examples of Meixnerian “Loony Tunes” include “The Devil Goes To Munich,” an exhilarating adaptation that Charlie Daniels must surely salute along with that other Daniels fellow, Jack. Or how about Sachmo's “When The Saints Come Marching In,” featuring Alex's amazing vocals successfully emulating America's beloved Ambassador of Good Will. Or Iron Butterfly's “In–A–Gadda–Da–Vida,” where Alex is accompanied by one of the band members playing a Ukulele — a dad gum Ukulele! Want another example? How about Wild Cherry's “Play That Funky Music, White Boy,” a groovy, irrepressible rendition performed on a Siwa & Figli accordion.
  
  Bet you never thought you'd see that…
  
  (More information on the Alex Meixner Band, including a schedule of their upcoming appearances, can be found at www.alexmeixner.com)

• Transformed the Ballroom [+ Show ]
  

  "Meixner temporarily transformed the ballroom into a German Fest house, filling the room with tradit..."Meixner temporarily transformed the ballroom into a German Fest house, filling the room with traditional polka infused with his own charismatic flair."

• Keeping Polkas Alive [+ Show ]
  

  "I have not seen that many people rush a stage in 20 years. It was an honor to have Alex perform at ..."I have not seen that many people rush a stage in 20 years. It was an honor to have Alex perform at our event. Polkas are Alive and well thanks to Alex."

• CD Review
  

  "By the end of the song, your heart is beating fast, and your blood is pumping to capacity."

• Combinations [+ Show ]
  

  "The combinations are intoxicating --- look elsewhere if you want a dry, academic primer on world po..."The combinations are intoxicating --- look elsewhere if you want a dry, academic primer on world polkas"

• Show Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Alex excited the sold out crowd with a variety of tunes both on the Piano Accordion and the Button ..."Alex excited the sold out crowd with a variety of tunes both on the Piano Accordion and the Button Box Accordion. His electric style of performing had the audience buzzing with excitement!"

• Festival Favorite [+ Show ]
  

  "A festival favorite for its swinging, zinging versions of tunes around the world- waltzes, gypsy nu..."A festival favorite for its swinging, zinging versions of tunes around the world- waltzes, gypsy numbers, funny Rocktoberfest hybrids and 57 Varieties of Polka"

• Musical Mastery [+ Show ]
  

  "The musical mastery of Alex Meixner is a gift he gives to the listener. Seeing him perform revealed..."The musical mastery of Alex Meixner is a gift he gives to the listener. Seeing him perform revealed the passion and in-depth spirit he has for his music."

• Challenging Students [+ Show ]
  

  "Alex has a way of challenging young people to think about the how's and why's of music. His energet..."Alex has a way of challenging young people to think about the how's and why's of music. His energetic and enthusiastic approach inspires students to reach for higher goals."

• Positive Educational Experience [+ Show ]
  

  "Mr. Meixner's residency here at Sugar Valley Rural Charter School was one of the most positive educ..."Mr. Meixner's residency here at Sugar Valley Rural Charter School was one of the most positive educational experiences, musically, that I have ever witnessed."

Setlist

Individual sets range from 45-90 minutes in length. Engagements can have up to 2 or 3 sets in a day.

Oktoberfests and party atmosphere clubs—The party ensues with a set list that goes from "The Happy Wanderer" to "Play that Alpen Musik, Kraut Boy" to "Mei Bier Bist du Schoen", "Living on a Prayer" and "Rocky Top"-- many times in 1 seamless medley!

Folk Festivals- the band can present authentic Austrian, Slavic and Gypsy folk music along with its Americanized evolutions in a manner that displays the roots of the music and makes it entertaining for the general audience.

Weddings and more intimate functions- Low key or atmosphere entertainment is available (anything from jazz standards to traditional European repertoires at low volumes are presented professionally).

Extensive playlists are available upon request.

Basic Requirements

Calendar