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Yellow Pages Events
Highlights |
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USA
2016 AAA Accordion Festival in Buffalo, New York July 6-10
ATG 76th Annual Festival to be held July 20th – 23rd, Lisle, Chicago
Grayson Masefield to Perform for the AAA and ATG
17th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention
Acclarion, On USA Tour Now, Receives Windsor Endowment for the Arts Award
Cory Pesaturo, Stas Venglevski, Kenny Kotwitz on June 15 At Tosa Tonight
Alexander Sevastian to Perform and Manny Bobenreith Presents Workshop at AAA Festival
10th Victoria International Accordion Festival and Competitions - Canada
Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration June 16-19
Guy Klucevsek Performs at AAA Festival in July in Buffalo
University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Ensemble - USA
"Accordions Rising" to be Shown at Leavenworth Accordion Festival
Django in June with Dallas Vietty and Victor Prieto
Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini Perform in Peekskill, NY on June 10
Cory Pesaturo to Perform and Present Workshop at AAA Festival in July
Murl Sanders to be Guest Artist at ATG Festival in July
Xia Gang Featured Soloist at ATG in July
Ginny Mac in East Coast Performance for AAA
Concert Featuring Jelena Milojevic & BC Accordion Orchestra, Vancouver
76th ATG Festival Presents Jerry Cigler as Guest Artist
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Dr. Robert Young McMahan Presents at AAA Festival
Michigan Accordion Society Participates in Memorial Day Parade
Jessica Fichot, Accordionist and Singer
Paul Pasquali to Perform for the San Francisco Accordion Club
Midwest Accordion Meetup on June 9th in Minneapolis
SonoMusette in Concert at Piedmont Center for the Arts
Rachel Quirbach Presents Workshop on Music Therapy at AAA Festival
Young Accordionist Author Receives Popular Acclaim
Jon Hammond Funk Unit Featured, Summer NAMM, Nashville, Tennessee
Versatile Corky Bennett
Accordion Arranger James P. O'Brien Publishes Second Non Music Book
Frank Marocco Historical Video of his Final Concert, Beijing - China
Blast Off to June Accordion Adventures with Rob Reich
Open House on June 12 of the New England Accordion Museum
Future events |
Mike Middleton and the Middletones
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Arrangement: Harlem Nocturne (Solo) Arranged by Gary Dahl
Updated Site: Sonatina for Accordion Now Available by Don Grzanna
Updated Site: Chapter 19, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Frequently Midiagnosed
Highlights |
Editor's Noteby Rita Barnea |
| The June USA news is packed with festivals, concerts, events, and info about summer accordion happenings. The accordion is a fantastic instrument for all ages as you will see when you read the articles. Hope you all enjoy the summer and accordion activities! I can always be reached at Ritabelll@aol.com |
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USAby Heather Masefield, Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
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  I am writing this on the plane flying internationally to Las Vegas for the Octoberfest Las Vegas International from 15th to 18th October at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. Paul Betken & Jerry Cigler are newly added to a great line up of stars (list below) with lots of great seats still available! Want to hop a plane to come and enjoy this exciting festival? Newsletter (picture right) with full information: 2018LVACnews.pdf Picture left: Event organizer Paul Pasquali The lineup starts with visionary accordionist Cory Pesaturo and bookends with a grand finale starring Grayson Masefield and the International Accordion Orchestra under the direction of the legendary Prof. Joan Sommers. You can register online at www.AccordionStars.com or contact Paul Pasquali, event organizer, by phone at 1-800-472-1695 or (801) 485-5840, email: paul@accordioninfo.com. |
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2016 AAA Accordion Festival in Buffalo, New York July 6-10by Mary Tokarski |
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 Click here for the journal advertisement form 2016JournalAds.pdf if you would like to place an ad. The deadline has been extended until June 10, 2016. Exhibit space is also available. A large part of the AAA Spring focus is on our young people - not only those who already play - but those we want to bring into our bouquet of flowering Accordionists. We are instituting a new program to introduce the accordion to young people through school programs. As our pilot program is built up and fine tuned, we plan to help ALL our members set up and execute programs like these by sharing our methods, what works and what doesn't. Celebrating the youth already in the accordion world is imperative for our future. The Governing Board is working hard at involving young performers in every arena and venue. The summer's SqueezeFest in Buffalo is a great example. We have young artists from New Zealand, Rhode Island, Texas and Canada coming in for the event. Workshops, concerts, Orchestras, competitions . . . we will have it all. The Youth Involvement Program jazz ensemble and Junior Festival Orchestra have become annual favorites of attendees, and have produced amazing results – the Conductor of this year's Youth Involvement Program is a product of past programs. Mitch Guido is an amazing saxophonist who graduated from Macaulay Honors College of Queens College and the Aaron Copeland School of Music with a degree in Music Education with a concentration in composition. He currently is an educator at Westlake Middle School in Westchester, NY and will join us in Buffalo to "lead" the Youth Involvement Program jazz ensemble. Amazing, isn't it? And it is exactly what the program was designed to accomplish – getting non-accordionists to appreciate all the accordion has to offer. The Junior Festival Orchestra conducted by Mary Tokarski has enticed participation from young accordionists from around the nation - and internationally from New Zealand, Canada and Russia. In celebration of Elsie M. Bennett's lifetime of work to commission new works for accordion, the AAA is sponsoring a Composition Competition for aspiring composers. Details and requirements are available on the AAA website. Have a wonderful Spring! Hope to see YOU at the Buffalo SqueezeFest July 6-10, 2016 For more information: www.ameraccord.com |
ATG 76th Annual Festival to be held July 20th – 23rd, Lisle, Chicagoby Amy Jo Sawyer |
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| As the new President of ATG, I would like to welcome everyone to our 76th annual Festival. We have a wonderful lineup of fabulous musicians, two orchestras, workshops, luncheons with concerts, entertainment, banquet and exhibitors. Headlining our guest artists will be Grayson Masefield, from New Zealand. Grayson won both the Entertainment and Classical Categories in the Coupe Mondiale in 2009 and has performed in every continent of the world except Africa since then. Grayson Masefield will perform on both the Friday and Saturday night concerts and will present a workshop: “Building a Piece of Music – Practice and Memorization.” Xia Gang, renowned Chinese artist, will also be a featured guest artist. He won 1st place in the Baltica-Harmonica International Accordion Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1999. He is associate professor at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music; director of Chinese Accordion Association and chairman of the China Accordion Club. He will present a workshop: “Accordion Activities in China”. Jerry Cigler is a Jazz Artist from Chicago. He has recorded with the Leon Sash Quintette and has performed on TV, Radio, Jazz Clubs, Las Vegas, and many accordion clubs. He describes himself as a “straight ahead jazz player” with Bebop & Blues influence. He will present a workshop: “How to Freshen Up Your Improvising”. Murl Allen Sanders is a musician, composer, teacher and recording artist who is very active in the Seattle, Washington, music scene. He has performed in the US, Canada, England, Brazil and Japan and is a very “versatile performer of all genres”. His workshop is entitled: “Strategies for Learning, Reading, Playing and Teaching Tricky Modern Rhythms.” Other outstanding performers will be Joe Natoli (Ohio), Gail Campanella (California), UMKC Ensemble directed by Joan Sommers (Kansas City), Soundscape Trio (Denver, Colorado), and the ATG President’s Quartette (Amy Jo Sawyer, Joe Natoli, Gail Campanella, and Kenn Baert). Joe Natoli will also present a workshop: “Everything You Wanted to know about the Roland V-Accordions”. George Secor (Illinois) will present a workshop: “The Moschino Free Bass system”. Dr. Helmi Harrington will display a collection of various models of historical accordions from her World of Accordions Museum in Duluth, Minn. Dr. Harrington will also present two workshops: “Fun in Playing a Button Diatonic Accordion”, and “Left Hand Organizations in Accordion-Family-Instruments: Accordion Bass Section Varieties.” Joan Cochran Sommers will conduct the ATG Accordion Orchestra which features the music of Rossini: “Semiramide Overture”, symphonic arrangement by A. Galla-Rini, “Over The Rainbow” (Harburg/Arlen) arranged by Joan Sommers, and a Funk-Rock tune, “Springtime” by Hans-Gunther Kolz. A new “Prep Orchestra” will be conducted by Shelia Lee. Selections include: “Hey Jude”, “Sweet Caroline”, “The Sound of Silence”, “Lollipop” and “Surfin’ USA”. Four performers from the Polish American Accordion Association of Chicago will entertain during opening Wednesday evening event “Meet & Greet”. They are: Ed Smollen, Lester Rossner, Mike Basin and Marek Lichota. Fabulous entertainer, Cory Pesaturo, will entertain during the banquet on Friday night. There are many opportunities for contestants of all ages to enter competitions in many categories. Please check the ATG Website for all of the festival information. www.accordions.com/ATG |
Grayson Masefield to Perform for the AAA and ATGby Rita Barnea |
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| Video 1: Performance of Tango Toccata by Grayson Masefield written by Petri Makkonen at the Coupe Mondiale Champions concert at the 2011 Coupe Mondiale in Shanghai, China. Video 2 :Грейсон Мэсфилд - Notes Vagalondes performance in Russia Grayson Masefield will perform for the 76th Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival to held in Lisle {Chicago) Illinois from July 20-23, 2016. Grayson will also perform for the American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Festival to be held in Buffalo, New York from July 6-10, 2016. Info from the ATG website: In 2009, Grayson became the first person to win the Coupe Mondiale top classical category and the Coupe Mondiale Virtuoso Entertainment category in the same year! In 2009 he also won the Roland International V-Accordion Competition & Festival, Rome and the Primus Ikaalinen International TV Competition, Finland, showing his amazing musical versatility. In September 2010 Grayson won the Trophée Mondial Classique World Accordion Championships and retired from competitions. At the 2010 Coupe Mondiale in Varaždin, Croatia, Grayson was elected to the prestigious Music Committee of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) and was re-elected to this position in 2014. He currently serves as a regular member of the Jury for numerous competitions around the globe. Grayson Masefield was born in Auckland, New Zealand on the 10th September 1987 to accordion playing parents Ian and Heather Masefield. His musical career began at 3 years of age with Fay Schaw, then focused his studies in the entertainment field with Maurice Jones, while also playing in the North Shore Accordion Orchestras. Grayson began classical training at Auckland University with Stephanie Poole and then went to France for seminars and tuition with Frédéric Deschamps in 2007. He is currently undertaking his post graduate studies in Switzerland at the HEMU (University of Music Lausanne) with Prof. Stéphane Chapuis. Grayson has been invited to perform in many countries around the world, including France, Spain, Germany, UK, Portugal, Slovakia, Italy, USA, Canada, Russia, Lithuania, Portugal, China, Switzerland, Austria, New Zealand, Australia and Finland. Grayson will perform two programs, one on Friday evening and one on Saturday evening, one featuring concert works and a second one featuring virtuoso entertainment music. The AAA and ATG are privileged to have Grayson Masefield as their Guest Artist. For further information: gmasefield@gmail.com |
17th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Conventionby Paul Pasquali Event Organizer |
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 Vegas Nights – Celebrate with the Stars!The 17th Annual 2016 Las Vegas International Accordion Convention will be August 8-11, 2016 at the Gold Coast Hotel located at 4000 West Flamingo Blvd., in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year we celebrate the classic Las Vegas theme bringing you four nights and three full days of the finest accordion entertainment Las Vegas Style! From the Monday opening night “Welcome to Las Vegas Concert” to the “Grand Finale Concert” Thursday night featuring the International Accordion Orchestra with Las Vegas Mass Choir under the direction of Professor Joan Sommers. You will find at the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention - entertainment and dining at its BEST! This year’s featured artists will include the legendary Joey Miskulin, 2007 Coupe Mondiale Champion Alexander Sevastian, Honorary Conductor Mario Pedone, virtuoso duet accordionists Kim and Dan Christian, educator and world traveling artist Mary Tokarski, and MORE. Additional artists and clinicians will include Mike Zampiceni, Gordon Kohl, Steve & Michael Trucco, Nancy Leonard, Pete Barbutti, and independent filmmaker Roberta Cantow, at this years event! Registration fee for the event includes 7 superb Las Vegas banquet meals with concerts plus over 40 workshops and master classes taught by top experts. SPECIAL PRICING for Accordions Worldwide readers. We will extend the Early Bird pricing with a savings of between $25 and $40 per registration (depending on registration option). Simply let us know you read this article on Accordions Worldwide. Registration form with discount: 2016Vegas.pdf Special group room rates are only $34/$42 (Deluxe/Premium) per room Sunday thru Thursday nights (weekend nights slightly higher) and special lowered resort fee of only $9.99 with group block (resort fee off block $14.99) a night per room – but you must use group code ACCORD6 to get these lowest guaranteed rates. Rates valid until the block fills or until July 8, 2016. The Gold Coast has cautioned that the hotel will fill rapidly this year. Recommended stays -- check in before 3pm Monday, August 8 and check out Friday morning, August 12, 2016. Why Las Vegas – we invite you to compare total pricing between other events. The total price with hotel room, airfare and event fee will be lower and you will experience why so many registrants return year after year and say the best place to be is Las Vegas! See our website AccordionStars.com for complete pricing options, or contact the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention at +1 801-486-1695 for personal assistance – and simply mention you read this article on Accordions Worldwide and we will deduct $25 off Option 1, $30 off Option 2, or $40 off Option 3. OR if you register online simply type Accordions Worldwide in the comment field and we will adjust your pricing. We would love to have our Accordions Worldwide readers join us and experience why the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention is such a wonderful event! Registration form with discount: 2016Vegas.pdf Website: AccordionStars.com Phone: +1 801-486-1695 email: info@AccordionStars.com |
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Acclarion, On USA Tour Now, Receives Windsor Endowment for the Arts Awardby Rita Barnea |
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| Acclarion Duo, David Carovillano, accordionist and Rebecca Sajo-Carovillano, clarinetist, are the recipients of the Windsor Endowment for the Arts 2016 Elizabeth Havelock Grant. The criteria include evidence of a strong body of professional, publicly-recognized work and a commitment to artistic development through education, mentorship, and other involvement in the arts community. David and Becky said, "With over 80 applicants, we are thrilled to be recognized and congratulate all the deserving nominees for their artistic endeavours, as well as the WEA for supporting artists." From their FB page: "Acclarion, Canada's premier accordion and clarinet ensemble, is giving classical music a makeover! Since 2003, with virtuosic flare and entertaining banter, accordionist David Carovillano and clarinetist Becky Carovillano have charmed audiences with their unique arrangements of classical masterpieces, sultry tangos, popular folk tunes, and original compositions in concerts that are fun for all ages. In 2004, they recorded their debut self-titled album, featuring works by Handel, Faure, and Puccini, as well as original compositions by David, Charles Cozens, and Walter Buczynski. Regularly featured on CBC radio shows such as Disc Drive, the Vinyl Café, and Studio Sparks, the CD has sold in countries around the world, including Italy, Australia, and Puerto Rico and remains popular on iTunes. Acclarion’s distinctive sound is perfectly suited to film music and has been featured in the Canadian-produced documentary "Sing Me to Sleep". Individually, David and Becky both hold Masters degrees in music from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music, and have played with major ensembles including the Stratford Festival, ArrayMusic, members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Tapestry Music, and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. Television appearances include City TV's Breakfast Television, HGTV's Design For Living, Global TV’s Ready Or Not as well as several Roger’s television programs. In 2006, Becky and David tied the knot (see video) at Walter Hall, University of Toronto, where they first met, with a concert-wedding, featuring special guest performers, harpist, Erica Goodman, and pianist, Angela Park. Acclarion was also the featured classical ensemble for the annual Carrefour Mondiale, an internationally renowned accordion festival which draws thousands from around the world to Montmagny, Quebec. Acclarion has dazzled audiences throughout Ontario including concert series in Barrie, Toronto, Elliot Lake, Huntsville and Oshawa and in 2007 enjoyed a tour of eleven states throughout the American Mid-West. Acclarion’s second album," What if…?", released in 2008, has received rave reviews and enjoyed performances on new CBC Radio 2 programs including Farrago and In the Key of Charles as well as American Public Radio. It features new classical arrangements and compositions, stretching the duo to include a variety of instrument combinations. Recently, Acclarion returned to the U.S. for an extended tour and debuted in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Acclarion continues to experiment with exciting new projects, including their Quadratone ensemble, which adds viola and tuba to the mix, as well as the development of a full-length children’s musical." Acclarion are now on tour in the USA! Here is a list of upcoming performances. Make sure you attend at least one of them: Sunday, June 12th, 2016 FREE@3 CONCERT SERIES - FIRST REFORM CHURCH Acclarion in Concert - 3:PM First Reform Church 630 State Street,Holland, Michigan (616) 392-8085 Price: Free Saturday, June 18th, 2016 NEAPOLITAN CONNECTION CONCERT SERIES: MUSICAL MATINEES Acclarion Family Concert - 3:PM, 4709 Dundas St. W. (Etobicoke) Toronto, Ontario Price: $15 Wednesday, July 20th, 2016 NARDIN PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Wednesdays at 8 Summer Concerts - 8:PM 29887 West Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48336 Friday, August 5th, 2016 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH First Friday @ First United Methodist Church - 12:PM 120 S. Broad Street, Middletown, Ohio 45044 Price: Free Saturday, September 17th, 2016 TRINITY HOUSE THEATRE, Trinity House Theatre presents Acclarion - 8pm, 38840 West Six Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48150 734-464-6302 For further information: acclarion@yahoo.ca |
Cory Pesaturo, Stas Venglevski, Kenny Kotwitz on June 15 At Tosa Tonightby Rita Barnea |
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| The Tosa Tonight Summer Concert Series brings free live music and entertainment to thousands of people every year. TOSA TONIGHT, INC. is a non-profit organization, organized by a volunteer committee of dedicated Wauwatosa-area residents and business owners. On Wednesday, June, 2016, 6:PM Cooper Safety/Custom Safety Products presents: Masters of the Accordion: A night of jazz and classical performances by three legendary greats from around the globe and their guest musicians kick off the summer. Featuring 3 internationally renowned accordionists, this concert will showcase the best in classical and jazz accordion talent. The performers are Stas Venglevski, Cory Pesaturo and Kenny Kotwitz The Tosa Tonight free outdoor performance will be held at the new Rotary Performance Pavilion on the Southwest corner of 68th & State Streets - in the Wauwatosa Village, WI 53213 For further information: 414-939-9819 |
Alexander Sevastian to Perform and Manny Bobenreith Presents Workshop at AAA Festivalby AAA Journal |
  The AAA Festival in Buffalo, New York on July 6-10, 2016 will feature many outstanding performers from all over the world including the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Russia. Be sure to make reservations to see and hear top accordion artists. Below are descriptions which are included in the 2016 AAA Program and AAA Newsletter:Alexander Sevastian will present a workshop called, " Developing a career as a professional accordion player in North America." Alexander will be talking about his experience with concert bookings through the management, finding concerts on his own, and different types of collaborations in which he has taken part. Alexander Sevastian is the 2007 World Accordion Champion, as well as winner of 3 other International competitions. Born in Belarus, Alexander studied at the Gnessin Academy of Music in Russia with Friedrich Lips and at the University of Toronto with Joseph Macerollo. After coming to Canada in 2001, he joined Quartetto Gelato and toured all Canadian provinces and all US states. Recent performances include appearances in Russia, the Bahamas, Mexico and Korea. The highlights of the upcoming season include a concert at the Las Vegas Accordion Convention, a concert at the Peninsula Chamber Music Festival with the symphony orchestra under the baton of Vicor Yampolsky in August, and a number of recitals in Toronto and Montreal. Performances in 2017 include a concert with clarinetist Julian Milkis at the Symphony Space in New York in March and a concert with the Sudbury Symphony in May. Alexander has recorded 5 solo CDs. Manny Bobenreith will present a workshop entitled "Playing for Uncle Sam". SGM Manny Bobenrieth will speak about what it’s like being the accordionist with the United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”. The U.S. Army Strings, a premier ensemble of the U.S. Armed Forces, provide a musical backdrop for many of the country’s most notable events. Their mission is to serve as musical ambassadors for high-level military and government events at home and abroad, as well as in concert for public audiences. The U.S. Army Band is currently seeking qualified applicants to audition on accordion as SGM Bobenrieth will be retiring in the near future. SGM Manuel Bobenrieth has performed in many different musical mediums and venues, including Broadway musicals, the Contemporary Music Forum, and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. He has also appeared with legendary jazz guitarist Charlie Byrd in a tribute to the music of jazz accordionist Art Van Damme. He can be heard on the soundtrack to the Discovery Channel television series “The Great Chefs" as a guest artist with The Charlie Byrd Trio. The Manny Bobenrieth Ensemble was featured at the world famous Blues Alley Jazz club. From 1984-1986, SGM Bobenrieth toured Europe and the Caribbean aboard the SS Norway as accordionist for Norwegian Caribbean Cruise Line. As accordionist with The United States Army Band, "Pershing's Own," SGM Bobenrieth has performed for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. For further information: AAA www.ameraccord.com |
10th Victoria International Accordion Festival and Competitions - Canadaby Harley Jones |
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| Special Guests: Grayson Masefield (New Zealand) Tian Jianan (China) and Jelena Milojevic (Canada). The 2016 Victoria International Accordion Competition on 30th July has 1 ensemble and 6 solo categories. Entries have been received from from Europe, South America, China and North America with the entry closing date being: Postmarked no later than June 30, 2016. This year the Victoria International Accordion Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary. During the previous 9 years, the festival has become strongly established with probably the greatest achievement being the hosting of the 66th Coupe Mondiale in 2013, involving hundreds of accordionists from all over the world showcasing their talents to large audiences and very large worldwide internet video audiences. Guest artists in previous festivals include (alphabetical order): Ludovic Beier, Concertino Ensemble, Quartetto Gelatto, Frank Marocco, Grayson Masefield, Jelena Milojevic, Renzo Ruggieri, Alexander Sevastian, Trio Voronezh, World Accordion Orchestra (conductor Joan Sommers) being just some of the names who thrilled the audiences in Victoria during the last decade. This year's celebratory festival is welcoming back two great accordionists of our young generation, Grayson Masefield from New Zealand and Tian Jianan from China. They will be joined by Jelena Milojevic, the Artistic Director of the Festival, who has also been a winner of international competitions. These three superb performers have won over 50 highest international prizes in their careers and their concert will be a night to remember. As for the ensembles, the festival has invited the famous Concertino from Moldova, but their participation is still uncertain. The ensemble Los Del Mapocho from Chile will come to Victoria for the first time and will be presenting Chilean traditional music. The BC Accordion Orchestra, Maureen Jarosh Accordion Ensemble, Victoria Accordion Club Band, Bucan Bucan, Mary Ross-Klektau and many other local groups will also contribute to the celebration. The BC Accordion Society, organiser since 2010, has provided many reasons for accordion lovers to spend an unforgettable week in beautiful Victoria BC, from July 26-31, this year. The detailed event schedule will be released shortly. For further information, email: contact@bcaccordion.ca |
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Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration June 16-19by Rita Barnea |
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 The 21st Annual Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration hosted by the Northwest Accordion Society takes place June 16-19, 2016. The Northwest Accordion Society has been hosting accordion festivals in the Northwest for over 25 years. Some of the events which will take place are: • Accordion Competitions • Workshops • Concerts with World Class Performers • Free Performances at gazebo, grange, restaurant • Free Accordion lessons • Accordion Parade on Saturday • Accordion Vendors • Opportunity for all accordion players to play • Jam sessions and much more! This year Frank Marocco will be honored with the appearance of jazz group,The Slight Confusion stet. Two of its members, Philippe Cornaz on vibes and Ivor Malherbe performed with Frank on his Freedom Flight CD. Their performance is scheduled for June 17, 2016 at 8:PM at the Leavenworth Festhall. The group also includes Laurent Derache on accordion, Mike Richmond on bass, and Antoine Brouze on drums. Make a date at the movies to see award winning film "Accordions Rising" Time: Fri, 11:30AM Grange/Upper Price: $10. "Accordions Rising" is a documentary feature film about the resurgence of interest in accordion music over the last 30-40 years. Though many continue to see the accordion as the stodgy instrument of a bygone era – and accordion jokes abound — it is time to set the record straight!Music Festival. Film length: 74 min. Written and produced by: Roberta Cantow Mike Zampicani from San Francisco will perform Italian music, Mary Ross-Kiektau from Victoria, BC performing Scottish Country Dance music followed by the Spokane Accordion Ensemble performing American favorites. On Friday, Gary Blair from Scotland performing his favorites followed by the Slight Confusion 4tet.On Saturday a concert by virtuoso soloist Jelena Milojevic followed by the BC Accordion Orchestra will take place. LIAC will be held on June 16 – 19, 2016. This will be LIAC number 23 and the 7th year the Northwest Accordion Society has produced the festival. For further information: bonniebirch@msn.com |
Guy Klucevsek Performs at AAA Festival in July in Buffaloby AAA Journal |
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| Accordionist Guy Klucevsek will present his workshop called "Unusual and Unorthodox Techniques for Accordion" at the AAA Festival in Buffalo, New York July 6-10, 2016. Some of the techniques discussed in this workshop include: various kinds of tremolos (finger & bellows), metric independence of the hands (playing one meter in the left hand against a different one in the right hand), playing right hand melodies with the thumb, and imitating other instruments (guitar, bagpipe, mandolin). Guy Klucevsek began playing accordion in 1952, after he saw Dick Contino on television. Since that time, he has performed and/or recorded with Laurie Anderson, Bang On a Can, Alan Bern, Brave Combo, Anthony Braxton, Jason Robert Brown, Charles Busch, Dave Douglas, Bill Frisell, Kepa Junkera, the Kronos Quartet, Alex Meixner, Natalie Merchant, John Williams, and John Zorn. A composer as well as a performer, his music reverberates with sounds of the ballroom, the beer garden and the concert hall, fusing elements of regional accordion styles with jazz and avant-garde music. Performances include Ten Days on the Island (Tasmania), the Adelaide Festival (Australia), the Berlin Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center, Spoleto Festival/USA, BAM Next Wave Festival, international accordion festivals in Vienna, Cotati (CA), and San Antonio, and the children’s television show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood”. His group “Accordion Tribe” (1996-2006) toured internationally, released 3 cds, and were the subjects of Stefan Schwietert’s award-winning documentary film, “Accordion Tribe: Music Travels”. Klucevsek has released 23 recordings as leader/co-leader. He is the recipient of a 2010 United States Arts Collins Fellowship, awarded to “America’s finest artists”. For further information on the AAA Festival: www.ameraccord.com For more information on Guy Klucevsek: gklucevsek@mac.com |
University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Ensemble - USAby Kevin Friedrich |
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"Accordions Rising" to be Shown at Leavenworth Accordion Festivalby Roberta Cantow |
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| Roberta Cantow's "Accordions Rising" will be shown at the Leavenworth Accordion Festival on Friday, June 17, 2016 at 11:30 AM Grange/Upper. Admission is $10.00. Leavenworth, Washington. Admission is $10.00. See the article on the Leavenworth Accordion Festival in this publication. Dr. Robert Young McMahan, DMA /composer and classical accordionist / Prof. of Music Theory, Composition, and Accordion, The College of New Jersey / Officer of the American Accordionists’ Association and Chair of its Composers Commissioning Committee wrote the following endorsement: "Accordions Rising" Documentary is the most exhaustive and fair representation of the accordion in all its facets—popular, ethnic, jazz, contemporary classical, avant garde-- I have thus far encountered in the media. It was particularly edifying to see my long-time friends and colleagues in contemporary music Bill Schimmel and Guy Klucevsek threading the historical narrative of the accordion as well as its enormous diversity throughout the documentary. Their inclusion was most appropriate and deserved as was that of the great Pauline Oliveros demonstrating some of the idiomatic traits of both the acoustic and Roland accordions. Thank you for this lovely exposé. It covered all the bases of the accordion’s strange and wonderful world and truly needed to be done." Roberta said, "The information about "Accordions Rising" Documentary is now in the On-line catalog for Filmakers Library's Academic Video Store: https://www.academicvideostore.com/video/accordions-rising where it is available for educators, libraries and academic institutions who would want to make use of it in those settings vs. my (or a distributor's) future DVD or Blue Ray sales, which will be for home/personal use exclusively." Excerpts from the "Accordions Rising" Documentary website: "The film provides a tapestry of fascinating individuals, their attitudes, deep passions, and above of all else, profound dedication to the instrument. We learn that though still a rebellious lot, these music makers have an audience in some of the hippest hideaways and most sought after mainstream venues. The film makes clear that the so-called “accordion world” is actually a curious continuum that includes everything from wacky and kitsch to sophisticated, serious, meditative and post modern. As Dr. William Schimmel points out, “the accordion is the icon of the 21st century.” Roberta would like all to know that she is interested in being contacted by accordion museums, repair shops and other retailers who would be interested in buying the DVDs wholesale and selling them. Both DVDs and Blu Rays are available to all who are interested in purchasing disks for home/personal use, even though the Purchase Page will not be officially added to the website until the end of the summer (film festival restrictions). Streaming options will be set up by the end of the year. DVDs are $24.95 and Blu Rays are $29.95 (+ tax in California + S/H). Accordions Rising received an Award of Merit from the Accolade Global Competition in October of 2015 and premiered at Cinema on the Bayou in Lafayette, Louisiana in January, 2016, to an enthusiastic and receptive audience. It was an official selection in the Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival, Muskogee, OK, where it was nominated for Best Music Documentary. Instead, it won the Best Movie Poster Award (depicted above). "Accordions Rising" was also picked up by the educational distributor: Filmakers Library, now an imprint of Alexander Street Press, Inc., which will offer a vast array of opportunities for exposure in colleges and universities, as well as university,and public libraries. This is thrilling news, as it will lead to better and more widespread understanding of the instrument.and its astonishing capabilities, not to mention the talents of the players, without whom it would be nothing! Notification is pending for about 15 more film festivals between now and October. Unfortunately,in relation to film festival acceptance, the film seems to be the "victim" of the very stereotype it sought to overcome. However, the accordion world has whole-heartedly embraced it, and that is good enough for me. Between now and the end of summer, It will be presented at the Leavenworth Accordion Festival, the Las Vegas Accordion Convention, the Cotati International Accordion Festival and the Accordion Noir Festival in Vancouver, BC. For further information: rcantow@originaldigital.net |
Django in June with Dallas Vietty and Victor Prietoby Rita Barnea |
  Accordionists Dallas Vietty and Victor Prieto will teach at the prestigious Django in June Jazz Camp, June 14-19, 2016. It consists of five days of Gypsy Jazz workshops, concerts and jamming with world class artists from around the world. It takes place at Smith College in Northampton, Mass.Dallas said, "Each class is going to start with group musicianship exercises, outside off the accordion. Each class will have a short vocabulary portion, to learn the language. And a short harmony portion, to work the intellect. There is still room to fit one or two more people! If you are interested its not too late!!" Day 1: Tier 1: (Minor Swing) Vocab 1: V-I, Harmony 1: Two key centers minor. Info Topic: Phrasing, inner musician. Tier 2: (I Can't Give You Anything But Love) Vocab 1: V-I // Harmony 1: two key centers major. Phrasing, inner musician, harmonic motion. Day 2: Tier 1 & 2: (Honeysuckle Rose) Vocab 2: ii-V // Harmony 2: Two key centers major. // Info Topic: LH ii-V patterns. Day 3: Tier 1 & 2: (Daphne) Vocab 3: Approach notes // Harmony 3: I-vi-ii-V & harmonic motion // Info Topic: Simple melodies using intuitive phrasing following harmonic motion. Day 4: Tier 1: (Douce Ambiance) Vocab 4: Melodic minor scale // Harmony 4: Getting to know the AABA form // Info topic: Faster tempos and new key centers. Odds and ends. Tier 2: (Seul ce Soir) Vocab 4: Rhythmic vocab for ballads // Harmony 4: strange key centers and dominants that don't resolve // Info Topic: Ballad playing and comping. Award-winning accordionist and educator Dallas Vietty is one of the most in-demand young accordionists performing jazz and swing in the United States today. Dallas’ unique style comes from his background in the American jazz tradition, as well as deep study and immersion in the European swing tradition of Django Reinhardt (Gypsy Jazz) and the French musette and jazz accordionists. Exerpts from the Django in June website: "As band leader of three groups (Hot Bijouxx, Musette Project, Tempus Fugit) Dallas remains very active on the East Coast concert and festival scene. His groups have performed at some of the top U.S. festivals: Djangology NYC, TEDx Philly, Djangoary Festival, to name a few. As a sideman his performances have taken him to legendary venues such as The Iridium Jazz Club NYC, BB King’s Time Square, The Highline Ballroom NYC, and the Philadelphia Kimmel CenterVerizon Hall. Victor Prieto teaches Master Classes at the Berklee College of Music, “Playing outside the Box”, Spain, Italy, Portugal and has headed the jazz accordion studies at the Brooklyn Conservatory, New York. Some of Victor’s prestigious awards and prizes are: The Creative Performer award from the Spanish Association of Artists and Performers, and the first prize CMZK’s Concourse of Composition. He holds a Degree in Jazz accordion performance from Berklee College of Music, (where he studied with a full schoolarship) and a Diploma in classical accordion from Ouresnse – Spain Conservatory." For registration and further information check "Django in June" on FB |
Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini Perform in Peekskill, NY on June 10by Rita Barnea |
 Highly acclaimed vocalist Mary Mancini and International Champion accordionist Mario Tacca are highly sought after musicians who have performed around the world from Europe to China and throughout the United States. On June 10, 2016, Mary and Mario will return to the Bean Runner Cafe, 201 S. Division St., Peekskill, New York for a show from 8:00-10:00 PM. The Bean Runner Cafe features live music every weekend and are delighted to present Mary and Mario regularly. This totally unique and entertaining duo amazes audiences with their musical selections from all genres of music including broadway, pop, country, international, dixieland, jazz and blues. Mary will always oblige with an operatic aria and Mario with his signature version of the "William Tell Overture." Mario says: “Come and enjoy Bean Runner's light fare menu and our musical presentations of all styles of music. We are happy to have with us Randy Smith on drums and percussion, Mike Caruso on guitar, mandolin, and banjo, David Winograd on bass and tuba. Don't miss this fun and intimate evening! Be sure to call and reserve as reservations are a must: Call 914-737-1701. Mario Tacca, on the Board of Directors of the AAA, was born in Italy. During his childhood, his family moved to the Alsace Lorraine region of France where he began his musical studies. This is where his love and intense desire to play the accordion began. He loved the sound! He would pick up the accordion and imitate some of the songs his mother used to sing. The desire and love never diminished, despite having to walk three miles weekly to his teacher with his instrument strapped to his back! While in France, he was the winner of many regional and national accordion competitions. He went on to become a world champion, winning the World Cup of Italy, the Grand Prix of Paris, the US National Competition and the International Accordion competition held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Mario Tacca dazzles audiences across the US and around the world with his outstanding virtuosity and his exciting interpretations of international music, the classics and pop. Mario has recently been seen on MTV in a commercial for a pilot Italian Food program. Also, he was seen on the Food Network in a commercial for “Throwdown with Bobby Flay.” His latest recording, “Journey Through the Classics” features great melodies from the Classic Repertoire. Internationally acclaimed vocal artist Mary Mancini has been featured in the New York Times, the Forth Worth Star-Telegram, and the Journal News and has performed in a variety of venues around the world. Able to sing in eight different languages, Mary draws from a deep repertory reservoir. She is adept at pop, show tunes, operatic arias, and sacred music and has received worldwide acclaim. Le Republicain Lorrain, in Alsace-Lorraine, France, writes that the “purity of her voice, the ease with which she interpreted the most difficult pieces showed that she is a great artist.” The Spring City Evening News in Kunming, China, writes that “audiences were greatly impressed by Mary Mancini’s singing ability…Through her music, we see her heart is smiling.” Mary has headlined numerous concert halls and festivals in North America, Europe, and China. She has performed at the Garden State Arts Center, Resorts International Casino Hotel, Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, and Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in CT. As a dynamic and popular performing duo, they have completed two concert tours of China. As guests of the China Ministry of Culture, they toured five cities in three weeks and performed with three symphony orchestras. Joining them on their tour was highly acclaimed Chinese tenor, Douglas Song. In addition to performing with the Symphony Orchestras, some of the most memorable moments included a performance held at the 1600 seat True Color Jazz Supper Club in the booming city of Shenzhen and in the 3500 seat Golden Opera House. In addition to their performance schedule, Mary and Mario have recorded 10 CD's between them. Be sure to visit their new Website at www.gioiaproductions.com For further information email: mariobtacca@hotmail.com or marymancini@msn.com |
Cory Pesaturo to Perform and Present Workshop at AAA Festival in Julyby AAA Journal |
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| Cory Pesaturo will be a featured guest artist and presenter at the 2016 AAA Festival to be held in Buffalo, New York from July 6-10, 2016. His workshop is "Authenticity of Styles": Cory will take a simple tune known by all, and work it through the mechanics of various genres to show the intricacies of each, and demonstrate how the same song can sound completely differently in many aspects including ornamentation, feel, tempo, groove, improvisation type, scales, chord changes and substitutions, and more. See what it means to truly play Klezmer to jazz to Irish and many more styles as opposed to just playing a written arrangement in a specific genre. Improvisation and using Music Theory to Improvise Cory will go over what tools one must have to improvise, and how to use them correctly. He will go over basic chord changes in multiple songs, and show you how so many songs in so many genres have ties, giving one confidence in their speed of learning, and learning to improvise and embellish a song. Cory Pesaturo is a multiple World Accordion Champion, with wins in both Acoustic and Digital Accordion, as well as Jazz. Pesaturo has performed in 5 different continents, and specializes in a wide variety of styles. He was accepted on the accordion at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he studied Contemporary Improvisation. He became the only person to ever major in and graduate as an accordionist there. Pesaturo has performed 4 times at the White House, and has played at 7 other public events and private functions for President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. In 1999 he performed at a State Dinner held for the President of Hungary and became one of the youngest ever performers in White House history. Pesaturo has also performed with different symphony orchestras around the country, including his first in 2003 after a Concerto Competition win. In 2008, Roland named Cory as part of their team of four American accordionists to promote the V-Accordion. His music has been played for various motorsports broadcasts on SPEED, FOX and NBC Sports since 2007, and has also combined his interest in statistics and sports with his appearance on the "100 Year Anniversary of Fenway Park" album in 2012. He also has an ongoing relationship with the RedBull Formula 1 team, and with the Boston Red Sox. Concerning the World Championships, all of them were won on instruments Pesaturo picked up at the competition, and all were complete with improvisation; almost unheard of at international competition. For further information on the AAA Festival: www.ameraccord.com For further information on Cory Pesaturo: cory.pesaturo@gmail.com |
Murl Sanders to be Guest Artist at ATG Festival in Julyby Rita Barnea |
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| Video: Murl Allen Sanders performs his "Accordion Concerto #2" with the Orchestra Seattle under conductor George Shangrow. Murl Sanders will perform for the 76th ATG Festival to held in Lisle {Chicago) Illinois from July 20-23, 2016. Murl Allen Sanders is a musician, composer, teacher and recording artist who has been active in the Seattle area music scene and across the United States, Canada, England, Brazil and Japan. Murl has worked with such diverse artists as Chuck Berry, Etta James, Il Divo, Glenn Yarbrough, Seattle Symphony, Brazilian accordion virtuoso Chico Chagas, virtuosos Stas Venglevski and Gary Blair, Leroy Bell, Peter Duchin, Alarm Will Sound, Seattle Modern Orchestra, Cascade Symphony, Everett Philarmonic, Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers, The Von Trapp Children, Theodore Bikel, Leslie Gore, Barbara Lamb, Susan Pascal, Warren Rand, Pearl Django, Michael Tomlinson and Kelly Harland, among many others. Murl teaches piano and accordion privately and is also adjunct faculty at Cornish College of the Arts and Shoreline Community College in Seattle. He has received two grants from The Seattle Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs to compose “She Blows Hot and Cold” for chorus and symphony orchestra which premiered May 2, 2010 and a grant to compose his “Accordion Concerto No. 2” which premiered in 2007 with Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers. His “Accordion Concerto No. 1”, a commission from Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers, premiered in 2003. Murl received a 2010 and 2009 ASCAP plus award for his concert compositions from The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Most recently, Murl was a featured artist for the renowned Earshot Jazz Festival 2012 in Seattle. He was a featured artist at the 2011 Cotati Accordion Festival in Cotati California and the 2011 “Accordion Heroes” concert in Seattle. In 2010 Murl performed for Seattle’s Earshot Jazz Festival with a quartet featuring saxophonist Warren Rand. He’s been performing his jazz-influenced orchestral compositions Accordion Concerto No. 1 with Cascade Symphony and Everett Symphony and Accordion Concerto No. 2 with Orchestra Seattle. Murl appeared at the Bellevue Jazz Festival in 2010, 2011 and 2012. He was also a featured artist and instructor at the Texas National Accordion convention in Dallas 2012 and at the Accordionists’ and Teacher’s Guild convention in Nashville, Tennessee in June 2008. Murl’s latest CD is "Stories of Lucile", alternative pop jazz with his quartet. His other recordings include solo piano jazz New Romance and Doing All Right, Murl’s Holiday Favorites for solo accordion and small group, Soon with his legendary nine-piece band, Going Overboard, Can You Dance To It featuring his unique zyfusico accordion sound, and Accordion Concerto No.1 and Accordion Concerto No. 2 with Orchestra Seattle. For further information: murlsanders@cs.com Phone: 206-781-8196 Murl@murlallensanders.com |
Xia Gang Featured Soloist at ATG in Julyby Rita Barnea |
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 Renowned Chinese accordionist Xia Gang; Associate Professor at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music; a Director of Chinese Accordion Association and Chairman of the China Accordion Club will be one of the featured soloists at the 2016 ATG Competition and Festival. The ATG Festival will be held in Lisle, (Chicago), Illinois from July 20-23, 2016. From the ATG website: Born in 1980 in Chengdu, China, Xia Gang started his accordion journey with Professor Wu Shouzhi at the age of 4. When he was 12, he entered the affiliated Junior Music Academy of the Sichuan Conservatory of music where he won many local, provincial and national competitions. Discoverd by Professor Oleg Sharov of St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Music, Xia went on to study the accordion professionally in Russia where he graduated from Russia’s prestigious St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Music in 2003, earning a Master’s Degree. In 1999 he won the First Prize at the “Baltica-harmonica” International Accordion Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia, becoming the first Chinese to win First place in the International competition with Bayan (Button Accordion) and was invited to represent China to play solo concert at the 16th Annual International Accordion Festival held in St. Petersburg in 2000. Attracting participants from 20 countries, his performance there was well-received. In both 2002 and 2004, he earned 4th place at the CIA “Coupe Mondiale” World Accordion Championships . Also in 2002, Mr. Xia performed at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory with the Russian Folk Orchestra of St. Petersburg. From 2000 through 2007 he presented solo concerts at conservatories throughout China, including Beijing’s Central Conservatory, as well as those in Shanghai, Tianjin, Sichuan, Kunming, Guangzhou, Anhui, and others. In February 2008 he accepted an invitation to perform in Singapore at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) Lee Foundation Theatre. In 2014, Xia Gang performed as guest artist at the 74th ATG (Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International) Annual Festival in San Francisco. Xia Gang’s CD Recording "From Tango to Peking Opera" published by China Record Corporation in 2003 is the 1st Bayan (Button Accordion) CD in China. He currently serves as the General Secretary of Organizing Committee for both the Lira International Music Festival in Russia and the Zhongsin International Music Competition in Singapore. Under his organization, the Zhongsin International Music Competition is celebrating its ninth year, averaging 10,000 participants nationwide each year, including traditional Chinese instruments, vocals, keyboards and other musical genres. Every year, well-known musicians and professors are invited to take part in the festival as experts and judges, as well as giving concerts during the competition, creating an enriching experience for both the students and parents. An ambassador for the accordion in China, he has represented the Chinese Accordion Association on trips to Denmark, France, Hungary, Slovakia, New Zealand, Republic of China, and others. Xia Gang has been invited to take part on the judging panel for many prestigious music competitions. Many of his students have won prizes at international and national competitions as well, the total number of awards is more than 40, including a 3rd place winner at the “Castelfidardo Accordion Competition” in Italy, which is considered an “A Class International Competition” by the China Ministry of Culture. Xia Gang is the author of "A Sheet Music Series Book of Bayan Progress Studies". Published by Sichuan University Press in 2011, this is China's first system of Bayan (Button Accordion) teaching method and is now widely used in the major schools of music. |
Ginny Mac in East Coast Performance for AAAby AAA Journal |
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| Ginny Mac, well known accordionist from Texas will present a workshop and perform for the 2016 AAA Festival in Buffalo, New York, July 6-10, 2016. In her workshop, "The Art of the Jam Session: Accordions in Bands and Jams" Ginny will touch on the various roles of the accordion in bands and jam situations. The versatility of our fine instrument allows us the opportunity to play many unique roles alongside other instrumentalists. Hailing from Fort Worth, TX, Ginny Mac fronts a dynamic group that brings a fresh and exciting twist to vocal and instrumental stylings in the Country & Western Swing, Americana, Hot Jazz, and International music genres. Ginny is also a former member of the two-time Grammy Award winning group Brave Combo based in Denton, TX. She endorses Scandalli Accordions based in Castelfidardo, Italy. For further information: www.ameraccord.com |
Concert Featuring Jelena Milojevic & BC Accordion Orchestra, Vancouverby Harley Jones |
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 On 19th June, 6 pm, concert at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Vancouver titled Night of the Stars and featuring Jelena Milojevic & the BC Accordion Orchestra.Toll free number for ticket reservations: 1 888 838 3676 Children 10 years and under free. Excerpts from the Victoria Conservatory of Music website: Jelena Milojevic B.MUS, M.MUS (Serb. Music Academy Jelena Milojevic studied both in Croatia and Serbia and ultimately received her Master’s Degree in Accordion Performance and Education, at the Music Academy in Kragujevac (Serbia). Being a versatile musician with an extensive performing history, she has played numerous concerts in Europe, Canada and the USA, as a soloist, chamber musician and a soloist with various orchestras. She is the winner of some of the most prestigious international accordion competitions. Her debut concert in New York City at the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, in 2009, was the first accordion recital after 30 years, in that prestigious venue. She has been praised for her “brilliant virtuosity”. Jelena Milojevic teaches students at Camosun College and Tempo Trend Studios. She is the Artistic Director of the Victoria International Accordion Festival. |
76th ATG Festival Presents Jerry Cigler as Guest Artistby Rita Barnea |
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| Accordionist Jerry Cigler will be Guest Artist at the 2016 76th ATG Festival in Illinois from July 20-23, 2016. From the ATG website: Jerry Cigler is a life long full time musician. He is originally from Cleveland Ohio where started his professional music career at the age of 15. His musical education started with private accordion lessons, in both classical and jazz, from some notable local teachers, Later, he received more formal instruction in music theory and harmony while attending 'The Cleveland Institute Of Music". During that period he also found "The Schillinger System Composition" to be very helpful in his jazz studies. While in Cleveland he worked in numerous venues, including night clubs, shows, and free lance jobbing. He was also a TV favorite preforming occasionally as a member of the musical staff at the local TV station. Jerry's favorite kind of music is the genre of jazz. He describes himself as a "straight ahead jazz player " with a Bebop and Blues influence. His specialty is block chord improvising, which he is able to do very fluently in all keys, and at most tempos. His favorite players and biggest influences are Leon Sash and Oscar Peterson. Jerry eventually moved to Chicago where he got the opportunity to work and record with "The Leon Sash Quintet". He has also recorded on his own on the Delmark, Neophonic, and Jerriatric jazz labels. Jerry has recently performed in several concerts with Paul Betkin in a Jazz Duet format at, the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention and, The National Accordion Association Convention in Dallas Texas. He has also appeared a number of times on programs for the Chicago, Arizona, Milwaukee and Polish Accordion Clubs. Jerry has no plans to ever retire from performing. He wishes to ever keep evolving as an accordionist, musician, and artist. For further information: ccigler@att.net |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Cory Pesaturo Meets With Quincy Jonesby Rita Barnea |
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 Accordionist Cory Pesaturo recently met with Quincy Jones for over two hours in Los Angeles. (Excerpts from Wikipedia) Quincy is an American record producer, conductor, arranger, composer, musician, television producer, film producer, instrumentalist, magazine founder, entertainment company executive, and humanitarian. His career spans six decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations,28 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend Award in 1991. In 2013 Jones was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as the winner, alongside Lou Adler, of the Ahmet Ertegun Award.[5] Among his awards, Jones was named by Time Magazine as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century." Quincy Jones presented Cory with an autographed copy of his book, "The Complete Quincy Jones." It will be very interesting to see the results of the special meeting between Cory and Quincy. Stay tuned for more news about it in future issues. Cory's summer performances include: July 1-3: Events for the RedBull Formula 1 Team at the Austrian Grand Prix in Austria. July 6-10: AAA Festival Headliner (One of 2 US National Accordion Conventions) July 15-17: Detroit Italian Festival July 21-22: ATG Festival (The other US National Accordion Conventions) July 23-24: Milwaukee Italian Festival July 25: Michigan Accordion Society Headliner For further information: cory.pesaturo@gmail.com |
Dr. Robert Young McMahan Presents at AAA Festivalby AAA Journal |
 Dr. Robert Young McMahan will present his workshop, "Radio Days Accordion: A Sampling of Once Popular Accordionist Composers of the Past and an Examination of Their Music" at the AAA Festival July 6-10, 2016 in Buffalo, New York.His workshop will present a look at the lives and accordion works of once prominent artist/composers of the middle third of the twentieth century. Among these now under-represented figures of the past will be Fred Tedesco, Gene Von Hallen, Joe Biviano, John Gart, and Hugo Hermann. Join us for some fun, and "don't touch that dial!" Dr. Robert Young McMahan is an award-winning, published, and recorded composer, classical accordionist, music research writer and educator. He holds B.M., M.M., and D.M.A. degrees from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, where he studied composition with Stefan Grove and Robert Hall Lewis. Dr. McMahan is presently Professor of Music at The College of New Jersey, where he is coordinator of Music Theory and Composition Studies, as well as instructor in Accordion. Much of his career has been dedicated to furthering the accordion’s status in contemporary music through composing, performing, recording, writing, and commissioning composers. An officer on the Governing Board of the American Accordionists’ Association (AAA), he is Chair of the Composers Commissioning Committee and has commissioned and premiered a number of new works for, or including, accordion both inside and outside of the AAA. His most recent commission is a work for Theremin and accordion, to be composed by New York composer/flutist/Thereminist, Elizabeth Brown, and premiered in the 2016 AAA Master Class and Concert Series. In turn, Dr. McMahan will premiere a new work of his for Theremin and accordion, to be premiered by Dr. Brown and himself in the same series at Tenri this summer on August 9. (Dr. McMahan will be joined by cellist, Cecylia Barczyk.) For further information: www.ameraccord.com For further information on Dr. Robert Young McMahan: grillmyr@gmail.com |
Michigan Accordion Society Participates in Memorial Day Paradeby Rita Barnea |
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 Joe Recchia, President of the Michigan Accordion Society was very pleased to present the “Spirit of the Accordion Memorial Day Float” themed Red White and Blue, showcasing the armed forces & POW flags. Excerpts from the Michigan Accordion Society Facebook page: The Soldier on the front of the float is showcasing an actual World War 2 vintage attire from 1941 along with a 1940’s vintage Accordion. The MAS teamed up with Penna’s Banquet and catering facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan along with numerous sponsors in order to make this float possible.The Michigan Accordion was very delighted to honor all the great veterans especially the Michigan Accordion Society members who were part of the parade: Mr. Tony D'Agostini - US Army 9th division 15th engineer battalion specialist. Served 1965 to 1967. Louisville Kentucky fort Riley Kansas who served in vietnam from 1966 to 1967 and Mr. Simone Randazzo- US Navy FN (Fireman). Great Lakes Navel Training Center who served from 1960- 1963 aboard the USS Wasp. God bless our fallen heroes! The Michigan Accordion Society a 501C3 organization based out of Macomb County, Michigan and is an internationally award winning Music Society that is actively promoting the Accordion in our community and beyond. This year the Michigan Accordion Society is celebrating its 20th year anniversary. President Joe Recchia said, "We would like to thank the nearly 36 people who helped to make this float a great success!" The next event of the MAS will be their annual youth night. The Michigan Accordion Society will award $3,000.00 in scholarships to six accordion students on June 21, 2016 at Cripillis Club Room in Berkley, MI. The event begins at 6:30 PM. The photos were taken in St. Clair Shores, Michigan by Brian Alan. |
Jessica Fichot, Accordionist and Singerby Rita Barnea |
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| Dans le Métro - Jessica Fichot @ Lotus Festival 2015 (Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington IN, September 26th 2015.) With Antoine Salem (guitar), Michael Papillo (upright bass), Brian Carmody (drums), Jessica Fichot (vocals, accordion) & Dave Wilson (tenor sax.) Video by Community Access Television Jessica Fichot and her band perform her song "Le Grenier" in the NBC Studio in Portland, ME (January 12th, 2011.) Featuring Robby Marshall (clarinet), Antoine Salem (guitar), Brandon Turner (upright bass) and Jessica Fichot (vocals, accordion.) Jessica Fichot is a Los Angeles based accordionist. She has traveled the world with her accordion and band. Some members of her band are Adrien Prévost (guitar), Sylvain Carton (clarinet, sax), and PJ Wyderka (upright bass). Jessica was born near Paris and grew up speaking French and with French culture. After earning a degree in audio engineering in Paris, she enrolled in Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music to study songwriting. While in Boston, she penned countless children’s songs for musical theater and later, for educational programs. Over a hundred of her songs are published as part of ESL programs published in over a dozen countries. From her website: "Relocating to Los Angeles, she embraces her international influences and independently releases her critically acclaimed 2007 debut album, Le Chemin, garnering the stamp of approval from tastemakers such as LA Weekly, San Francisco Chronicle, and KCRW – and licensing a few songs in major movies and TV shows on the way. She also gets a chance to tour the world – traveling regularly throughout the U.S, and even to Mexico, China and Europe - performing on vocals, accordion and toy piano and accompanied by a fiery band of clarinet, double bass and guitar." Her French accordion themes are on her CD's "Le Chemin" and "Le Secret". She is not limited to French. She is a multilingual person. Her mother was raised in Shanghai. Jessica also learned to sing in Mandarin. It was also a way for her to create an interesting niche in the chanson world. Jessica's newest CD, "Dear Shanghai EP" is dedicated to her mother. It is available on iTunes, CD Baby and Amazon. Jessica's music reflects the music of the 1930's and 1940's with a contemporary edge. It also includes variations on old pop songs of those days. Jessica is multi-talented and multilingual. She writes children's tunes for ESL programs. She is going to enter the genre of video game music and sound effect composition. “Thinking about music as a soundscape and as the score of a game is really giving me new energy for everything else I do in music,” she said. Jessica is certainly someone unique and interesting to musician's everywhere. Her upcoming performances include: Saturday June 4th 2016 - 3-3:40 PM: Lummis Day York Park - 4956 York Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90042 Friday July 1, 2016 - 7-10:PM: Hotel Congress 311 East Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701 Saturday July 2, 2016 - 5:30-7:30 PM: The Arboretum at Flagstaff 4001 S. Woody Mountain Rd., Flagstaff AZ 86005 opening: Vincent Z Thursday July 14, 2016 - 8pm show (gates open at 7:PM) BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival Prospect Park Bandshell - 9th St & Prospect Park West, Brooklyn NY 11215 opening for “Triplets of Belleville” with live score by Benoit Charest! Saturday September 10, 2016 - time TBA: World Concert: Truckee Tahoe Peace Project Sand Harbor State Park, Lake Tahoe NV. For more information: Phone: (213) 842-9992 Email: jessica@jessicasongs.com |
Paul Pasquali to Perform for the San Francisco Accordion Clubby Rita Barnea |
 Accordionist Paul Pasquali will perform on June 19, 2016 at 2:PM for the San Francisco Accordion Club. The Club is located at the Oyster Point Yacht Club, 911 Marina Blvd., San Francisco, CA.Paul was very active on the Accordion scene in the Bay Area as a teacher and performer, part owner of the internationally renowned Colombo and Sons Accordion Corporation of San Francisco and as a member of the SFAC own Executive Board. In 2000, he founded the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention which is now in its 17th year! This year's event will be held August 8th through the 11th. See article on the convention in this publication. Visit www.accordionstars.com for more information and to register for this spectacular event. The San Francisco Accordion Club is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization whose purpose is to enhance, promote and stimulate an appreciation for the accordion within the membership and throughout the general public. For further information on the SFAC: info@sfaccordionclub.com |
Midwest Accordion Meetup on June 9th in Minneapolisby Rita Barnea |
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| Castle Accordion will present the Midwest Accordion Meetup on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at the Eagles Club#34, 2507 East 25th Street, Minneapolis, MN.55406 from 6-10:PM. Admission is $10 at the door. The Midwest Accordion Meetup is an open format gathering of friends, musicians and appreciators of the accordion. All are welcome to attend! The first meetup will feature performances, workshops, demonstrations and fellowship. World champion accordionist Cory Pesaturo (Rhode Island) will be a featured guest artist alongside diatonic accordion master Danny Jerabek (Wisconsin). The evening will also feature an all star cast of Twin Cities accordionists including Hank Thunander, Patrick Harison and Dan Newton. The schedule for the evening: (Venue open at 5pm for food, drink and fellowship) 6:00-6:30 Meet and Greet/Open Stage 6:40-7:00 Workshop/Demonstration -- Danny Jerabek, Intro to Diatonic Accordion 7:00-7:30 Demonstration/Performance -- Hank Thunander, Survey of Regional Polka Styles 7:35-8:00 Performance -- Patrick Harison 8:00-8:25 Performance -- Danny Jerabek 8:30-9:00 Performance -- Dan Newton 9:00-9:40 Performance -- Cory Pesaturo 9:45-10:00 All Star Jams Castle Accordion is a full service accordion store located in the historic White Castle building in the heart of Minneapolis. For further information on the event: Randy McPeck rlmcpeck@gmail.com Phone: 612-821-8766 |
SonoMusette in Concert at Piedmont Center for the Artsby Rita Barnea |
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| Video: SonoMusette live at The Glaser Center
March 26, 2016 • Santa Rosa, California
Mimi Pirard • vocals; Jan Martinelli • piano; Robert Lunceford • accordion;
Jason Briggs • upright bass; Richard Andrews • drums SonoMusette performed "The Sound and Spirit of 20th Century Paris" at the Piedmont Center of the Arts on Saturday, May 28, 2016. Accordionist for the group, Robert Lunceford, was born on Bastille Day in Maywood, California, located on the west bank of the Los Angeles River. He began playing the accordion at age seven while growing up in the Los Angeles suburb of Huntington Park. Robert’s musical interests have strongly focused on European and traditional music. He has played with numerous traditional Celtic music groups including the Los Angeles based band, Reel to Reel, and Sonoma County’s Atlantic Shore. Robert took a ten year break from live performance, turning his interests to the technical side of live-music production. In 1996 he founded his own live-sound reinforcement company, Authentic Audio & Sound. Robert has engineered well over 500 live-music concerts and has recorded and engineered several studio albums. Robert returned to live music performance in 2009, forming the French music trio, Un Deux Trois, for which he composes and arranges much of the band’s music. He is also a member of the French-Italian music trio, La Guinguette. Serving as musical director for Cinnabar Theater’s 2014 production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, as well as the 2015 production of Edith Piaf: Beneath Paris Skies, Robert was nominated for “Best Musical Direction” by the Bay Area Theater Critics Circle. Robert co-founded SonoMusette with singer Mimi Pirard, debuting the group in February 2016. From their website: "SonoMusette recaptures the moody, melancholic sound and spirit of mid twentieth-century Paris in the 'bal-musette' tradition. French chanteuse, musette accordion, gypsy-jazz guitar, upright bass and drum kit combine to revive the enchanting songs of that era. SonoMusette features vocalist Mimi Pirard with Robert Lunceford on accordion, Jason Briggs, guitar; Jan Martinelli on upright bass, and Richard Andrews, drums. Inspired by the great performers of the era, such as Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel and Django Reinhardt, along with contemporary artists such as Zaz, the superb vocal and instrumental artistry of the ensemble SonoMusette will charm and transport you to an evening in Paris as they bring bal-musette to the 'moderne' era! " The Piedmont Center for the Arts is dedicated to coalescing the arts communities of Piedmont and around the Bay Area. The Center offers an affordable rental venue where artists from the musical, performing, visual and literary arts have a physical space to perform and display their works of art, and where members of the Piedmont community can gather to experience these creations. For further information: sonomusette@gmail.com |
Rachel Quirbach Presents Workshop on Music Therapy at AAA Festivalby AAA Journal |
 Rachel Quirbach will present a workshop on music therapy at the AAA Festival in Buffalo, July 6-10, 2016Description of: "Music Therapy: A New Frontier for the Accordion" You've heard from many sources that music is good for your brain. But how? In this workshop, learn about how music and the brain interact, how that translates to the field of music therapy, and how we can use the accordion in a wide variety of clinical settings. Come ready to sing and play in a mock music therapy session! Rachel Quirbach is currently a student pursing her undergraduate degree in Music Therapy at Arizona State University's Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. She has been playing the accordion for just over 14 years now and has attended the AAA Festival as a competitor and orchestra participant for the past six years. Rachel is currently striving to promote awareness of the accordion within the ASU community by incorporating the instrument into her collegiate courses and music therapy preclinicals. For further information: www.ameraccord.com |
Young Accordionist Author Receives Popular Acclaimby AAA Newsletter: Editor Kevin Friedrich |
 Angela Conti is 8 years old and began playing the accordion at the age of 5. She and her brothers Paul and Joseph, ages 9 and 6 years old, also play the accordion in both solo and trio pieces. They are members of the Chicago Accordion Club and have performed on stage there as well as in local talent shows and competitions such as the Granquist Music Competition and the Illinois Music Association Annual State Olympic Contest. They are planning to attend the upcoming AAA Buffalo Squeeze-Fest in July.In May 2015, while only 7 years old, Angela authored and illustrated her first children’s book, Miss Swirly Pepper: The Case of the Spicy Pretzel. The book’s main character, Miss Swirly Pepper, is an accordion-playing girl who reveals an amazing talent. She can “swirl” back in time to solve the mysteries in her daily life. Angela’s first book signing event was held at the Chicago Accordion Club in October 2015. The feedback from her customers has been very positive. In November 2015 Angela released her second children’s book, Miss Swirly Pepper: The Case of the Missing Everything! Since both books’ debut, Angela has heard from so many parents and grandparents who have purchased the books to give to their children and grandchildren. They tell her that they hope the books will inspire the young ones in their life to use their own talents to create something unique. They also say that they enjoy the fact that Miss Swirly Pepper plays the accordion in each book. In May 2016, Angela released her third book inspired by her own First Holy Communion. The book is called, "Miss Swirly Pepper: The Case of the Bread and Wine. The book features a new, time travel twist and would be both a fun and faith-filled adventure for anyone preparing for the Sacrament. While the target age is thought to be 3 to 10 year olds, Angela has heard that many older school children have also enjoyed reading the books too. She has her first two books in several public town and school libraries. With the help of her fans spreading the word, Angela has now sold hundreds of copies and has shipped her books to 7 states and even Canada! You can learn more about Miss Swirly Pepper and find out about her next book release through her website, www.MissSwiryPepper.com. Books can be ordered through her website or at www.Amazon.com. She looks forward to seeing everyone in Buffalo! |
Jon Hammond Funk Unit Featured, Summer NAMM, Nashville, Tennesseeby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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 Jon Hammonds Hammond Funk Unit quintet is performing a 40 minute set of his original compositions as part of the Summer NAMM Showcase at the famous Music City Center, Nashville.The concert is on Friday June 24th, 2pm to 2.40pm. California-based Jon Hammond is a jazz musician and radio presenter, best-known nowadays as an organist who regularly uses accordion in his group and for hospital and old folks concerts (picture below). Jon Hammond wrote: "Three of the musicians are Nashville based: R Barber (trombone), Louis ‘Flip’ Winfield (drums), Cord Martin (tenor saxophone) plus my long-time guitarist Joe Berger and myself on Hamond organ - both Joe and myself are officially from New York City, although I am also in California a lot - I’m still a New Yorker! There is a very strong chance that Lee Oskar will be joining us as Special Guest. I can’t guarantee that Lee will be onstage with us. We recently talked about doing it when we met at the ASCAP Pop Awards in Hollywood last month. He told me that he will be there and is going to try to make it, so we are going to have the stage set up for that, we have played together several times over the years. Lee was an award recipient at the ASCAP Pop Awards and besides being the original member of the legendary band WAR, he manufactures his own line of Lee Oskar Harmonicas that have been very popular with Blues and Rock performers for years. Here we are in Hollywood a couple of weeks ago, with Lee wearing the medal he was awarded." |
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Versatile Corky Bennettby Rita Barnea |
 Video: Corky Bennett & CeCe Gable at the Great American Squeze Off April 2011 at the Silver LegacyDid you know that accordionist Corky Benett is also a singer, and a stand-up comic? Retiring at the age of 74? No way! When not touring with his national concert act, Corky can be seen in local Reno clubs. At the Polo Lounge first and third Wednesday of every month, the Reno Senior Center with the 9th Street Band every Friday, and and the Bavarian World most Saturdays. From his website: "Northern Nevada legend, Corky Bennett, started performing in Seattle at the age of 12 on accordion with the "Buckaroos,"a local country/rock band, winning amateur contests by the dozens. He left in 1960 to pursue a musical career that has taken him to the great venues of the United States, Canada, and the Orient. He has appeared on many network television shows and has served as musical director for many"name acts," including superstar accordionist, Dick Contino. Corky possesses a unique sense of humor that makes him a delight on stage. His comedy skills were honed as the comedic half of a musical/comedy team "Raymond & Bennett," and later on with his own Las Vegas style act. His bizarre, over the top humor leaves crowds roaring. He is totally unpredictable and will do whatever it takes to make his audiences have a good time." I had a wonderful conversation with Corky recently. He began his accordion lessons with Roy Smith. Corky grew up in Seattle, Washington and passed the Petosa Company on his way to middle school every day. He had his eye on a Petosa accordion that was very expensive. His mother bought it for him but said that he needed to contribute toward it by getting a job. Corky, age 14 at the time, asked Joe Petosa, Sr. if he could work for him and this was the beginning of a wonderful relationship. Corky learned about the accordion and worked at the Petosa Company for several years through high school. While there, he met Charles Magnante, Galla-Rini, and Dick Contino. When he was 18, Karl Karlson, from Fairbanks, Alaska stopped at the showroom, met Corky, and offered him a teaching job in Fairbanks. Corky, at the age of 18, took the job and had 75 students there! A few years later, Corky established a relationship with Dick Contino which has continued until today. Corky became his writer and arranger. Dick enjoyed long walks and would record his thoughts on tape. Corky has transcribed the many hours of Dick's thoughts and experiences into a book, "The Beauty of Imperfection" which is available on Amazon. Corky also just completed writing a music theory book, "What Your Music Teacher Should Have Taught You, Volume 1", available on Amazon. It was delightful to "meet" Corky, a very fortunate person. Why? Because he has been involved with the accordion, music, and humor his entire life! What could be better than that? For further information: corky@corkybennett.com Office: 775.870.1509 Cell: 775.287.2050 |
Accordion Arranger James P. O'Brien Publishes Second Non Music Bookby Harley Jones |
 Well known accordion arranger Dr James P. O'Brien has published a second book on 24th December 2015 titled "Realities of Retirement" available on Amazon. Its advertising line is: It's Monday Morning: "There Are People in My Office Working . . .And I'm Not One of Them". This book addresses many issues associated with retirement and is available in Kindle and paperback. Also published is: Somewhere the Train Goes: A Life Journey also available in Kindle and paperback. Various music related books are also available online at Amazon. James O'Brien has been a Professor of Music at The University of Arizona School of Music faculty since 1975 and has authored 8 published music textbooks and several music articles in national journals. He has been the recipient of numerous grants dedicated to the improvement of classroom music teaching through technology. His performance specialty is the keyboard and he is an avid accordionist as well as an arranger/composer of accordion music including over 150 original compositions and arrangements. Many of these are available at: James P. O'Brien Since his retirement, he holds the academic rank of Professor Emeritus. |
Frank Marocco Historical Video of his Final Concert, Beijing - Chinaby Dan & Joan Grauman |
 Video 1: Frank and a chamber ensemble performing Frank’s composition, “Lisa”, Video 2: Frank performing his arrangement of Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady”. Video 3: The whole concert of nearly one hour. Frank Marocco was unable to attend the 2012 accordion orchestra camp which bore his name. We had been running this popular camp in Mesa, Arizona, for Frank since 2007. Frank Marocco was sadly in the hospital, gravely ill, with metal poisoning from a faulty replacement hip. Two weeks after the camp ended, Frank sadly passed away. We were handed a DVD at the 2012 event with a handwritten title, “Frank Marocco Beijing 2011”. When we got home from Arizona, stressed out and horribly saddened by Frank’s imminent death, we put aside our camp materials including the DVD. While searching for another DVD two weeks ago, the Beijing DVD turned up. Slipping the disc into the DVD player revealed the most amazing find – a concert that took place at the First International Accordion Festival in Beijing, China in November 2011 at which Frank was one of the performers. This was to be Frank’s final public concert. We were transfixed watching one selection after another, first with a chamber ensemble and then solo. We had never seen Frank play so beautifully! Editor: Now available again is the Frank Marocco 3 CD set and a beautifully presented book titled "Jazz On The Road, Volume 1-3" Catalog: ks550 The book describes Frank Marocco's musical life in extensive texts enriched with many never-before published photos and significant interviews. The author is accordionist, conductor and music historian Thomas Eickhoff. |
Blast Off to June Accordion Adventures with Rob Reichby Rita Barnea |
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 California based accordionist Rob Reich will perform at the 2016 Room Series in an evening of Bay Area keyboard virtuosi playing contemporary music on a variety of black and white keys withPianist: Hadley McCarroll HADLEY McCARROLL accordionist: Rob Reich prepared Fender Rhodes: Eric Glick Rieman keyboard & gesture controllers: Donal Sweringen For further info on this event: roomseries@roycegallery Rob will premier some new experimental sounds for accordion + electronics at Pamela Z's "Room Series" at the Royce Gallery, an intimate venue in San Francisco on Friday, June 3 at 8:PM. For further info on this event: roomseries@roycegallery On July 28,2016 Rob will perform in the Bay Area: the Redwood Grove in the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens. This is a magical place to make music, and he is planning to write some new material to premiere for the occasion. He will be sharing the bill with Ben Goldberg's group. Excerpts from Rob's bio: Rob Reich grew up in Long Island, New York, studying piano from age three. After graduating with a degree in Music Composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he discovered the accordion, now his primary instrument. His music combines strong melodic ideas, rhythmic drive, and a spirit of irreverence and experimentation. He has written songs for Tin Hat based on the poetry of e.e. cummings, music for contortionists and trapeze artists with Circus Bella, as well as new repertoire for his own ensembles, the Rob Reich Trio and the Rob Reich Quintet. His accompaniment skills often finds him performing live soundtrack to silent films. In 2013, he was commissioned to compose and produce a score for “The Stranger: Part 1”, a full length modern dance piece by David Herrera Performance Company. In 2011, he was commissioned by Yerba Buena Gardens Festival to compose “Sidewalks and Alleys” for a seven piece chamber ensemble. Reich performs with the acclaimed groups Tin Hat, Todd Sickafoose’s Tiny Resistors, Ben Goldberg School, Gaucho, Nice Guy Trio, and Prez Kids, and has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Tampare Jazz Festival, SFJAZZ Festival, Portland Jazz Festival, Switchboard Festival; and at San Francisco venues including Herbst Theater, Yoshi’s, Yerba Buena Gardens, and the Red Poppy; and at NYC venues including Symphony Space, Joe’s Pub, Le Poisson Rouge, and Barbes. Future performances include: June . 7:PM ROB REICH SOLO PIANO Osteria Divino 37 Caledonia St Sausalito CA 94965 June 12, 11:30 AM GAUCHO Boxing Room, San Francisco JUN 12, GAUCHO, Brenda's French Soul Food, SF at 5:PM JUN 15, GAUCHO, SFJAZZ Joe Henderson Lab at 8:PM JUN 16, CIRCUS BELLA PREVIEW SHOW DeFremery Park 1269 18th St Oakland CA 94607 MAP 5:30 PM JUN 17, VILLAGE ROAD TRIO, Old First Concerts, 1751 Sacramento St, SF, CA, US 8:00 PM JUN 19, GAUCHO, Boxing Room, San Francisco, 11:30 AM For further information: rob@robreich.com |
Open House on June 12 of the New England Accordion Museumby Rita Barnea |
  The 3rd Annual Open House ,“ACCORDIONS LIVE”at The New England Accordion Museum will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2016 frrom 1-4:PM at The New England Accordion Museum. The locations is 17 Margaret Lane, Canaan, Connecticut 06018.Entertainment will be provided by Maestro Tony Lovello. Set in a garden party atmosphere, Museum Director Paul Ramunni will guide you through a collection of over 400 accordions, each of which comes with a story and many priceless secrets. Experience a Tony Lovello performance and see their inventory of over 60 new and used accordions for sale. NEAM is a collection of antique and modern accordions as well as related memorabilia. We display models from the very beginning of the accordion era starting in 1820 all the way up to the current day. Their goal is to search and rescue any accordions or memorabilia so that people, especially children, interested in this instrument will learn to play and enjoy what many people have experienced over the last 200 years with accordions. Plan to be there for Museum tours…Sheet music tag sale…..raffle prizes. Complimentary desserts and beverages will be served. The Cost: $15.00 Cover Charge Per Person Contact: Director Paul Ramunni with questions and to register….860-833-1374. Email: ramunni@comcast.net Special Sponsor: Emilio Accordions |
Future events |
22nd Year AAA Master Class and Concert Series July 29-31by Rita Barnea |
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  The 2016 Annual American Accordionists’ Association (AAA) Master Class and Concert series takes place over the weekend July 29th-31st. Dr William Schimmel (picture right) is again the Moderator-Curator and this year’s event will be the 22nd consecutive year he has been the Moderator-Curator. The theme is "No Place Like Home". Celebrating his 70th birthday in 2016, William Schimmel has received the AAA Distinguished Service Award in commemoration of over fifty years of accordion endeavors. A lifetime of concerts, recordings, compositions and accordion seminars and for some years, also a distinguished AAA Lecturer in Residence. The Master Classes begin at 3:PM, and concerts at 7:PM. The venue is the Tenri Cultural Center, 43A W 13th St, between 5th and 6th Avenues, New York. PARTICIPANTS WILL INCLUDE: Micki Goodman, Paul Stein, Dr. Robert Young Mc Mahan, Will Holshouser, Art Bailey, Doug Makofka, Brian Dewan, Yoichi Fukui, Gene Pritsker, Melissa Elledge, Mark Nathanson, Benjamin Ickies, Godfrey Nelson, Lorraine Nelson-Wolf, Dragica Banic-Curcic, Peter Flint, Erica Marie Mancini, Dave Soldier, Mayumi Miyaoka, Tomoka Sugawara, Dan Cooper, Rachel Swaner, Milica Paranosic, Michael Dames, Peter Jarvis, David Stoler, David First, Mary Spencer Knapp, Dr. Hugo Goldenzweig, Lee Mc Clure, Ken Laufer, John Foti, Kathleen Tipton, Marni Rice, Bob Goldberg, Corn Mo, Rachid Eladlouni, Carl Riehl, Linda Reed, Rita Barnea, Dr. Denise Koncelik, Alicia Svigals, Elizabeth Brown , Ted Nash, Jeanne Velonis, Devon Tipp, Sydknee, Michiyo Suzuki, Dr. Thomas Massucci, Bactopus, The Main Squeeze Orchestra, The Famous Accordion Orchestra and many others and a few surprise guests. For reservations and Information: 212 - 876 - 0827 or 203 - 484 - 5095 - accordionbill@gmail.com or billschimmel@billschimmel.com Download the AAA registration form at: 2016AAAmc.pdf |
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Mike Middleton and the Middletonesby Rita Barnea |
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 Accordionist Mike Middleton and the Middletones will present a concert on July 3, 2016 at the World of Accordions Museum. Mike is a versatile musician and a renowned physician. From the museum website: "Mike Middleton is an accordionist who specializes in Midi Enhanced Accordion music from all genres. He performs mainly for charity events and local festivals, including all styles of international accordion music. He also enjoys arranging compositions to accordion, and has recently been performing at many churches and for Senior groups throughout Central Texas. His latest performances include renditions/arrangements of "Ghostriders in the Sky", "Variations on an Amazing Grace", "Beer Barrell Polka Variations", "Russian Minka Variations", and other favorites. His preferred instruments are a Titano Starlight Royal Cossoto Accordion with a Melody Maker onboard Midi Synthesizer, a Petosa Mahogony Alpine Tuba Bass Accordion, and sometimes….a Mirafone 189 Kaiser Tuba. In addition to the accordion, Mike plays Tuba and he combines his accordion and tuba performances periodically. Currently, he lives in Central Texas with his wife, Dr. Darla Lowe, also at Scott & White in the Division of General Internal Medicine., and their three children Meredith, Lance, and Mitch. Periodically they perform together utlilizing Harp, Drums, and Bass respectively. When performances include his children, they are affectionately called " Mike and the MIDDLETONES". Note from Helmi Harrington: Mike Middleton was a teenager in the 1970s when he studied accordion with my mother and later with me in Austin, Texas. Mike was a wonderful student, an ambitious member of the Strahl Music Ensemble, and, on occasion, my duet partner. Mike won the Texas Accordion Championship the year after I had. It was a certainty even then that he would do great things with his life: he became a doctor, then head of nuclear medicine, and now a board member at Scott and White Medical Center in Temple, Texas. Mike has maintained his musical skills despite demands by profession and family life with wife and three children. Further, he does not fail to acknowledge his teachers Tony Rozance and me in write-ups on his CDs, now numbering three. As a birthday present he sent me a large, beautiful, Texas-influenced print designed and drawn by his brother to be used on the next CD cover. It hangs at the Belknap Street entrance. With each new CD he sends extras for the museum library and gift shop." Mike shared: "I suppose the thing that sets me apart from most professional accordionists is that I have developed a unique accordion sound ( sometimes with midi enhancement) and have parlayed my craft to try to benefit others in the community. I indeed am a full time Nuclear Physician at the Scott & White Medical Center in Temple TX. I perform mainly in Central Texas for accordion demos, and many for charities. Plus, I have produced 3 full albums and 1 single ( Amasing Grace Accordion Variations) ; having given substantial portions of my sales to charities; including Scott & White Healthcare’s Pediatric Hospital in Temple, TX and the S&W Volunteer programs. " His bio includes: Dr. Mike Middleton is from Alamo Heights, Texas, and Austin, Texas where he graduated from McCallum High School magna Cum Laude. He was a 1985 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. While at Southwestern University, he was awarded the Arthur R Priest Award for the Texas Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta. He then attended Texas A&M College of Medicine, where he served as Class President, and also as President of the TMA Medical Student Section while a Senior Medical Student. He completed residency in Nuclear Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Hospitals in The Bronx, NY. He served as Chief Resident, and then was on staff at the Montefiore Hospital, of the Albert Einstein system. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Nuclear Medicine since 1993. He came to Scott & White Memorial Hospital in 1994 and became Division Director of Nuclear Radiology and Advanced Molecular Imaging in 2000- current. He was elected to the Board of Directors of Scott & White in 2005 after serving as an officer of the Clinic Staff Organization, and he was re-elected to the Board of Directors in 2011. While on the BOD, he serves as a full time clinician, active teacher for residents, fellows, and students, and has published numerous scientific articles. He had also attained the academic appointment of Associate Professor of Radiology in 2000, and of Full Professor of Radiology in 2006. He was elected to the officer position of Secretary for the BOD in 2007, and currently holds that position. Dr. Middleton is recognized nationally in the field of Nuclear Medicine, and has served as President of the American College of Nuclear Physicians, President of the SW Chapter Society of Nuclear Medicine, and as Speaker of the House of Delegates for the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging ( SNMMI). Currently he is Secretary/Treasurer of the SNMMI for a 3 year term, and also serves actively on the SNMMI Board of Directors. Dr. Middleton is an internationally recognized musician, as an accordionist. He has numerous accolades including the title of Texas State Champion 1981, 1982, and in 2001 was named International Texas Folk Accordionist by the Accordionist & Teachers Guild International. He also also produced and recorded 2 albums in 2013 and performs often at community events and charities. He was also a former All-State Tuba Player, and continues to incorporate accordion/tuba arrangements into his performances. Mike's future performances include: Mike and the Middletones will air on June 18, 2016 on the Mollie B Polka Part show on RFTV. 17 July, 2016: Mike & The Middletones Polka Sunday at First United Church, Belton Texas 2 October, 2016: Tentative, 1-4:PM: Mike & The Middletones, Pflugerville Heritage House Fall Festival Tentative: Nov 4-13 WURSTFEST 2016: Mike & The Middletones specific dates/time TBA For more information on Mike Middleton, MD: Michael.Middleton@BSWHealth.org For further information on the World of Accordions Museum: E-mail: accordion@sprynet.com Phone: (715) 395-ARTS (2787) |
New and Updated Sites |
Updated Site: CD by Jörgen Sundeqvist 'In Concert Behind Accordion' Available Againby Harley Jones |
 CD by Jörgen Sundeqvist 'In Concert Behind Accordion' is available again. Performers Jörgen Sundeqvist (solo) and some tracks in duet with Anthony Galla-Rini. Catalog: ks515 |
Updated Arrangement: Harlem Nocturne (Solo) Arranged by Gary Dahlby Gary Dahl |
  Updated Arrangement: Harlem Nocturne arranged by well known teacher, performer and arranger Gary Dahl. Catalog: DH0096 View sample page.Any clients who have already purchased this music may email for the updated arrangement which will be provided by email to you without charge. Over 200 popular Dahl arrangements at: Gary Dahl |
Updated Site: Sonatina for Accordion Now Available by Don Grzannaby Harley Jones |
 Updated Site: Don Grzanna has made available the work:grza184 - Sonatina For Accordion Don Grzanna has over 100 original works available online for viewing. This work is an eSheet format (pdf file), able to be emailed to the client. Sample pages for each movement available for viewing. Purchase online with Paypal secure credit card capture. |
Updated Site: Chapter 19, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Frequently Midiagnosedby Harley Jones |
 Chapter 19 of the book "Play Your Accordion Without Pain" by John Bonica PT CMP NZRP is now released. Chapter 19 is headed: Frequently misdiagnosed medical conditions of the arm and hand - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Information about all the chapters now available at: John Bonica There will be a minimum of 24 chapters, 19 chapters released so far. Special introductory offer, you can purchase the whole book for US$22 (or Euro equivalent) and be sent each chapter by e-mail as it is released. For more information, and to purchase: John Bonica |