by Andrea Canter
 One of popular music’s most successful collaborations was that of Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in the 1940s. Channeling their harmony and energy as well as some of their holiday cheer are four Twin Cities’ vocalists who will come together for the next Twin Cities Jazz Society’s “Jazz from J to Z” concert, “Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.” The concert will be held at the Bloomington Center for the Arts Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. The noted Bing expert and popular crooner himself, Arne Fogel, will join forces with the exciting trio of songbirds, Kathy Mueller, Lisa Pallen and Aimee Fischer, for a swinging holiday preview. They will be supported by a trio of standout instrumentalists led by pianist Lee Blaske.

All arrangements were originally written for a stage production by Raymond Berg, who sought to revive the performance using singers rather than actors. Said Arne Fogel, “He chose Aimee, Kathy and Lisa, who have captured the Andrews’ blend in an amazingly authentic way, retaining the warmth and inner pulse of the original trio in a way that I have never heard done before.”

The Singers
Growing up listening to Ella Fitz-gerald and Sarah Vaughan, Aimee Fischer developed a love of big band jazz at an early age. Over her career she has moved easily among blues, country, rock, pop and jazz as an in-demand session singer and voice-over talent, as well as an accomplished performer with numerous area bands. Fischer has also written or produced music for corporate clients and has recorded children’s music, inspirational music and corporate songs. For this show, Fischer performs in the role of Laverne Andrews.

A classical pianist, flutist, songwriter, vocal and instrumental arranger, and music director, Kathy Mueller has more than 25 years of experience performing in corporate shows, radio and television commercials, and with Women Who Cook. She has also appeared multiple times on “Prairie Home Companion,” including in the new feature film. She is also a part of the Music Workshop for Kids recording group, with six award-winning CDs and an Emmy to their credit. Mueller will appear in this production as Maxene Andrews.

Stevens Point, Wisc. native Lisa Pallen has been performing professionally in the Twin Cities for nearly two decades as a singer, dancer and recording artist. She’s headlined with such bands as Rupert’s Orchestra, The RFactor, Temporary Heroes Orchestra and has appeared with the renowned vocal jazz group, Moore By Four. A founding member of the Twin Cities popular show band, Belladiva, Pallen has starred in Ordway productions and in the long-running “Smokey Joe’s Café” at Hey City Stage. She performs in the role of Patty Andrews.

Unlike many teens of the ‘60s, Arne Fogel found as much inspiration in the music of Sinatra and Crosby as in the hits of Lennon and McCartney, ultimately gaining recognition as a popular Twin Cities crooner and radio personality, a “purveyor of vintage music and entertainment from an historical point of view.” Fogel launched his jazz club career in the late ‘80s, and appeared on “Prairie Home Companion.” He hosted “Arne Fogel Presents” on MPR for nearly 15 years, and from the ‘90s on, has channeled Sinatra and Crosby at clubs such as the Dakota and the Times. Most recently, Fogel’s interest in the life and music of Bing Crosby led him to a series of performances with Bing’s widow, Kathryn Crosby, and an opportunity to examine Bing’s archives. His show “The Bing Shift” continues weekly on KBEM radio. Who better to perform the role of Bing Crosby?

The Show
Bing and the Andrews Sisters were not only popular live performers but also recorded multi-million selling albums, including Don’t Fence Me In and Route 66, as well as several holiday favorites. Many of the tunes from these recordings will be performed in Bloomington. The show will also include performances by the “sisters” (“Shoo Shoo Baby,” “Bounce Me Brother With a Solid Four”) as well as solos from each of the four singers.

“Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters” will be held Dec. 21, 2 p.m. at the Schneider Theater of the Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road in Bloomington. Call (952) 563-8575 for tickets: $20; $18, students/seniors; TCJS members, $17, and $15 students/seniors.