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Yellow Pages Events
Highlights |
BREAKING NEWS: PASSING OF TONY LOVELLO
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USA
Daily Reports and Video, 2017 Coupe Mondiale, Start Wednesday 6th September - Italy
Tony Lovello as Remembered by Cory Pesaturo
Two Accordionists Honored as NEA National Heritage Fellows
Accordionist Eva Ybarra Receives NEA National Heritage Fellowship
Accordionist Dwight Lamb Chosen as 2017 NEA National Heritage Fellow
Guy Klucevsek in Fall Concerts
Hanzhi Wang in September Concerts in New York
Gene Pritsker Composes for Accordion!
Cory Pesaturo Guiness World Record Attempt, Graz - Austria
Alex Meixner in Fall Programs
Accordion Noir Festival 10th Year from Sept. 7-10
Musical Tribute to Dick Contino at Las Vegas - USA
The Northeast Squeeze-In Weekend
The PT Deep Squeeze - Accordion Festival and Fundraiser
September 26 Tribute Concert to Tony Rozance
Accordion Pops Orchestra in Concert
Carrefour Mondial de L'Accordeon Festival Until Sept. 4
Michigan Accordion Society Presents the Music of Tony Dannon
Brooklyn Accordion Club Presents Rob Curto: "The Life and Music of Luiz Gonzaga
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Ksenija Sidorova Lights Up Lincoln Center, NY
Orchestra Sets Free a World of Instruments Hiding Inside Digital Accordions
Gary Dahl Has Over 200 Individual Arrangements and 10 eBooks
Emilio Magnotta to Perform for the Long Island Accordion Alliance
Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini Perform for the LIAA Seventh Anniversary
Passing of Suzanne “Sue” Welch
20th Annual Rhythm & Roots Festival Line Up
Future events |
Stas Venglevski Concerts
Highlights |
Editor's Noteby Rita Barnea |
 The month of September has an amazing number of accordion festivals and concerts for you to choose from. Which ones will you go to? Will you be inspired to learn the accordion? Do you need an accordion teacher? Will you buy a recording of an accordionist or group which includes the accordion? I would appreciate your feedback. Send your comments/ideas to Ritabelll@aol.com |
BREAKING NEWS: PASSING OF TONY LOVELLOby Rita Barnea |
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  AWW is sad to report the passing of accordionist Tony Lovello. Tony was a unique person, blessed not only with great talent but with the special ability to touch the heart and soul of everyone he met, always with a kind word, an enthusiastic desire to spread joy with music, and a sense of modesty. He will be greatly missed. Excerpts from the ACCORDIONS NOW! brochure by Donna Regis: Since 2000, following his retirement from a 31-year career detour into hotel management, Tony recorded 14 CDs, performed over 250 concerts, arranged hundreds of songs (including some beautiful originals), given dozens of seminars, received five Lifetime Achievement Awards, been proclaimed “King and Master of the Bellow Shake” by the late great maestro Galla-Rini and hailed as “The Living Legend of the Accordion World”. Born in 1932 in Buffalo, New York, Tony first became interested in the accordion at age five. Under the guidance of his father, Anthony Lovullo, Sr., Tony quickly excelled and was soon performing in public. When he was 12, his family moved to Los Angeles, where Tony was discovered by Eddie Cantor, who suggested the teen-aged Tony change his last name from Lovullo to Lovello. An interesting and exciting career ensued: Tony performed not only with Eddie Cantor, but with such greats as George Jessel, Kate Smith, Jimmy Durante, Debbie Reynolds, Scatman Crothers and Frank Sinatra. While serving with the US Army during the Korean conflict, Tony made several performance tours to Korea and Alaska. His military duty complete, he resumed his stellar career. He performed on the Arthur Godfrey TV Show, then joined the legendary Three Suns (of “Twilight Time” and “Peg ‘O My Heart” fame) with whom he recorded and toured extensively for several years. After an illness that left him deaf in the left ear, Tony decided to retire from active show business and went into the hotel business and settled down in the city of Lexington, KY. It didn’t take long for Tony to get back in the circle of music performing his exciting arrangement of “The National Anthem” at Rupp Area, which inspired the late George Steinbrenner to invite Tony to perform the same at “Yankee Stadium”. His brother Sam Lovullo, producer of the TV show “Hee Haw”, then invited him to make several appearances with Roy Clark and the “Hee Haw” gang." His granddaughter Jessica said, Today heaven gained another Angel. My best friend, role model, inspiration and the best grandad I could have ever asked for. I am so truly blessed to have spent my 20 years on this earth with you part of it and I will never forget all of the wonderful memories we created and life lessons you taught me. You are truly one of a kind. I promise to never let you down and always keep my car full of gas. I know this life will never be the same without you, but I also know you will watch over us and keep us safe. I am so lucky to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. I couldn't thank you enough for your part in my journey, until we meet again grandad, I love you always. His granddaughter Olivia said, "Today I said goodbye to my best friend, my role model, the greatest accordion player in the world, and my biggest supporter. Grandad, you've touched more lives than I can count. You've given me so many things to live for and so many dreams to pursue. I knew that I'd never be ready for this day and I was right. You told me just a few days ago that I was going to be alright, I hope you're right, you usually always were. I'll continue to live through you everyday. You sure were one of a kind. I am so grateful to have spent 20 years with you. Love you always, grandad.” The arrangements for Tony Lovello will be Wednesday, from 5 to 8 at Pax Christi Catholic Church for visitation and the funeral will be at 11:30 on Thursday, also at Pax Christi Catholic Church. |
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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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Daily Reports and Video, 2017 Coupe Mondiale, Start Wednesday 6th September - Italyby Harley Jones |
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 The Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes 70th Coupe Mondiale hosted by Italian Accordion Culture (IAC) lead by Artistic Director Mirco Patarini is ready to start. Confederation President Raymond Bodell "warmly welcomes contestants, jury, delegates and supporters to Osimo for an exciting 70th Coupe Mondiale, held for the first time in the Marche Regione, close to Castlefidardo". Daily Reports start 6th September at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2017/video.htm Video Homepage & Video Timetable at: 2017CM-Video The draw for playing order is on Tuesday with the competitions running Wednesday to Saturday. The 2017 Coupe Mondiale event promises wonderful music and the very highest level of competitions with seven international competition categories For those not able to attend, the website Coupe Mondiale has Daily Reports of pictures, information and videos of the contestants plus all the results when they are announced. Each evening has a concert with the Prize Winners Concert on Saturday featuring performances by all the Coupe Mondiale category winners. Daily Reports start 6th September at: http://www.coupemondiale.org/2017/video.htm |
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Tony Lovello as Remembered by Cory Pesaturoby Cory Pesaturo |
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| Five months ago, I wrote about my long-time dear friend Dick Contino. The man who made our instrument go viral for the second time in the late 40's, after Guido Deiro first did it in the 1910's. Today, we lost "The Liberace of the Accordion", and someone who I feel again is another underappreciated accordionist in US History. Tony was one of my dearest friends, and grew even closer in his final two years. He was like family, loved and understood my parents, connected me with his nephew Torey Lovullo who manages the Arizona Diamondbacks, and who was just maybe, my biggest fan. He very quietly sent me recordings of him playing various songs so that I could record myself playing with him to make a Duo CD, and I will put this out soon as he wanted. Between Guido Deiro's drop off in popularity in the early 30's (helped by the Great Depression) with the fall of Vaudeville, and Dick Contino's Horace Heidt performance on December 12th, 1948, there was a two decade gap of accordion unpopularity. Tony was born in 1932, and began to play accordion in 1937, which was very bad timing, and because of it, he dealt with similar hatred as I have in my career for the instrument. "People always made fun of you. Especially in school, when the accordion case looked like an accordion. They would remark 'Here comes the Polka King' and the like. I hated the accordion, but I didn't want to break my father's heart, so I took it up and kept going." he told me. I can't explain how almost word for word this is to my life. Just 60 years later. His father was incredibly tough on him, and his stories reverberate like an exact script from Tony Dannon's story of his upbringing in Detroit, "I always told my dad I wanted to play ball with my friends. But he would lock me in my room until I played for 4 hours. And if I made a mistake and kept playing, he'd knock and yell at me!"; Tough Love 101. His father was also forceful in his campaign to make sure Tony always played the melody, no matter how much glitz and sugar I would put with it. "Most of the people I played for were old folks from Italy and he didn't want Jazz etc., they didn't understand that. So all my songs were straight; hence it forced me to think of alternative ideas on making the song interesting. Change keys constantly, make great intros, make big endings so they know when to applaud, powerful bellow shakes, my orchestration ideas, etc.". His push and resilience finally paid off when Dick Contino's popularity instantly changed the accordion landscape. This is where Tony's career began to take off, but his lifelong problem would always be that he was in the shadow of Dick. The "Other" famous and really good accordionist that the common person knew; the "I'm like Dick Contino" vs. "I'm Tony Lovello" problem. He never said it, but I think he knew he had more in the tank than Dick, and I must concur, as his right and left hand technique were Coupe Mondiale level, his bellows control was ferocious, and he had historically great bellows shakes. Of course fame level and ability have never gone hand in hand, or even close to it. But you'd never hear him complain, and had Much respect for Dick because of the opportunities he created for Tony. In the middle of everything finally going well, Tony went to serve in the Army, heading to Korea, "My best times were in the Army. They needed you because they didn't want to lug around a piano. You were king of the hill. I was even chief of the USO in Alaksa and was always in demand to take shows in Korea. I would go out with some of Bob Hope's singers and we would go to the front lines and entertain. I felt bad for Dick Contino after he dodged the draft, as he would have become a high ranking officer and called his shots. He would have had a great time and his career would have continued upward." When he came back from the Army, he played with everyone, Red Skelton, Abbott and Costello, touring with the Arthur Godfrey show, Kate Smith, Jimmy Durante, Debbie Reynolds and Frank Sinatra; and had funny stories to tell about all of them. ony was so popular at one time, that it was like the life of famous people today, "Many things were fixed then like now. When Pat Boone and I won on the Arthur Godfrey show, we knew were going to win. That's when you knew you had made it." Lovello did in fact get out from under Dick's powerful accordion shadow at a specific point of his career, stating "When Dick and Horace Heidt broke up, I replaced him, and played for 10 weeks. This got me my own name. He also of course remembered when accordion began to die, stating that "When steel guitar came out, that was the beginning of the end." "The Living Legend of the Accordion", as he was always billed, encompassed everything that defined a high list performer. Charm, comedy, tremendous ability, audience in their hand in 2 minutes, compelling arrangements, and a genuine personality, that additionally matched off stage when you met him. I grew up listening to his records as I did with many players, but I didn't get to meet him until about 2010, and was I ever impressed. He was so much about entertainment for his audiences, that when he realized he could not Stand Up for a full performance, along with Bellow Shaking for at least 20 minutes of it, he announced retirement. He was either going to be the real Tony Lovello, or not play. Much Respect. I know for a fact, that I have never once met anyone that didn't have something positive about Tony's playing or his incredibly warm personality after a show. If he didn't make you laugh, he made you laugh twice. I can't thank Paul Ramunni enough for setting up his event two months ago at the New England Accordion Museum, so that Tony and I could finally do a mini concert together. But much more so than that, it was an eye opening moment for my views on Tony. I always knew how great he was, but the light bulbs never fully went off on why he plays how he plays, and how he thinks as a player. Orchestra; he plays and thinks, as an orchestra. His Octave Melodies, his Gliss's (which were the greatest gliss's of all-time), the timing of his famous Bellow Shakes (which were Also the greatest of all-time), his chord choices, his constant volume changes, and his Tremelo's (which are unquestionably to me, his most important and unique trait as no one can do them like him; and heck, most can't do them period). These are just some of the things you will hear him do, but they will make So much more sense, when you realize that he thinks as an orchestra in everything he does; Not an accordionist. It is right in line with my lifelong philosophy to be a great Musician on the Accordion, vs. a great Accordionist. Lastly I will say, he was so unique as a player, that many know from my workshops on "Authenticity of Styles / Genres", how I would include Tony as a genre himself, and sure enough, the audience would always come up with 10 or more traits that were specific to Tony which truly qualified him as his own genre. Not 2 or 3. That really is a Legacy. That, really is a Living Legend of the Accordion.The Accordion World will miss your flash, your comedy, your outfits, your bellow shakes, that orchestra playing, and your personality Tony. I'll miss you so much for being such a dear friend. Photo of Cory Pesaturo and Tony Lovello, April 30, 2017 at the Tony Lovello Workshop at The New England Accordion Connection and Museum Co. |
Two Accordionists Honored as NEA National Heritage Fellowsby Rita Barnea |
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| Elizabeth Auclair, Public Affairs Specialist for Public Affairs for National Endowment for the Arts contributed the following important information: This September, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is celebrating nine of our nation’s master folk and traditional artists at two free events in Washington, DC. These artists are the recipients of the NEA National Heritage Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Among the 2017 recipients are conjunto accordionist and bandleader Eva Ybarra and Danish button accordionist and Missouri-style fiddler Dwight Lamb. On Friday, September 15, 2017, at 8:PM, the 2017 recipients will be honored at a free concert in Washington, DC, at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium. This concert will also be streamed live at arts.gov. Presented by the National Endowment for the Arts, the concert will feature performances by and conversations with the 2017 NEA National Heritage Fellows – including Eva Ybarra an Dwight Lamb – and will be hosted by Martha Gonzalez of the Grammy Award-winning band Quetzal. Free tickets are available at lisner.gwu.edu. Eva Ybarra is one of only a few professional women accordionists in conjunto music. As the leader of Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto, Ybarra has specialized in writing and composing original conjunto music while also exploring non-standard chord progressions, advancing the art form’s evolution. Besides being a professional musician, Ybarra is also a music educator. Dwight Lamb is a master of Danish fiddle and accordion traditions, as well as Missouri Valley old-time fiddling. With more than 60 years’ commitment to collection, recording, preservation, and teaching, Lamb has mentored generations of regional and international musicians. In addition, prior to this concert on Thursday, September 14, the NEA will recognize these artists at an awards ceremony at the Library of Congress. The ceremony will begin at 5:30 PM. ET in the Library of Congress's Coolidge Auditorium in the Thomas Jefferson Building at 10 First Street SE in Washington, DC. Following the ceremony, there will be a reception with the artists. This event is open to the public and no tickets are required. Here is the full list of 2017 NEA National Heritage Fellows: Norik Astvatsaturov (Wahpeton, ND) – Armenian Repoussé Metal Artist Anna Brown Ehlers (Juneau, AK) – Chilkat Weaver Modesto Cepeda (San Juan, PR) – Bomba and Plena Musician Ella Jenkins (Chicago, IL) – Children’s Folk Singer and Musician Dwight Lamb (Onawa, IA) – Danish Button Accordionist and Missouri-Style Fiddler Thomas Maupin (Murfreesboro, TN) – Old-time Buckdancer Cyril Pahinui (Waipahu, HI) – Hawaiian Slack-key Guitarist and Singer Phil Wiggins (Takoma Park, MD) – Acoustic Blues Harmonica Player Eva Ybarra (San Antonio, TX) – Conjunto Accordionist and Band Leader About the National Endowment for the Arts Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more about NEA. For further information: Elizabeth Auclair: auclaire@arts.gov |
Accordionist Eva Ybarra Receives NEA National Heritage Fellowshipby Charlie Lockwood, Texas Folklife, and Anina Moore, Texas Commission on the Arts |
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 Eva Ybarra, the “Queen of the Accordion,” is one of only a few professional women accordionists in conjunto music. Conjunto originated in the late 19th century in working-class communities along Texas-Mexico border, and is distinct to that region. Using the accordion as the lead instrument, conjunto bands perform dance music based on Mexican and Czech-German folk forms such as the polka, mazurka, schottishe, waltz, and huapango. As the leader of Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto, Ybarra has specialized in writing and composing original conjunto music while also exploring non-standard chord progressions, advancing the art form’s evolution.Born on San Antonio’s westside, Ybarra was one of nine children in a musical family. She took piano lessons on her mother’s encouragement while her father also urged her to take up the accordion at age four. She taught herself by listening to the radio, old LPs, and her older brother. “I started by listening to the radio, and I learnt by ear, copying what I heard. But I didn’t want to copy anyone, I wanted my own style,” Ybarra told journalist Amanda Lozano in 2015. By age six, Ybarra’s parents were taking her to perform in venues around San Antonio. When she was 14 years old, Ybarra was discovered while performing with her brother, Pedro, and received a record deal with Rosina Records in San Marcos, Texas. Since that first big break, she has performed andrecorded many albums with her band, Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto. In the 1990s, awareness of her stature in conjunto music grew with several notable recordings which showcased her original songs and virtuosity. Among these albums are 1993’s A Mi San Antonio (For My San Antonio), and 1996’s Romance Inolvidable (Unforgettable Romance), both released by Rounder Records. Besides being a professional musician, Ybarra is also a music educator. In 1997, she was the artist-in-residence at the University of Washington, where she taught accordion, bajo sexto, and guitarron. She has been an accordion instructor at Palo Alto College’s (San Antonio) conjunto program. Currently, she fosters the development of other conjunto accordion players by teaching at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s music education program in San Antonio. In 2016, she participated as a master teaching artist in Texas Folklife’s Apprenticeship Program. Ybarra is in the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Conjunto Hall of Fame (San Antonio, inducted 2003), the Tejano R.O.O.T.S Hall of Fame (Alice, Texas, inducted 2008), the Univision Salon de Fama (San Antonio, inducted 2008), and the Tejano Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and Museum (San Benito, Texas, inducted 2009). In 2015 she received the South Texas Conjunto Association Lifetime Achievement Award. |
Accordionist Dwight Lamb Chosen as 2017 NEA National Heritage Fellowby Rachelle H Saltzman, Oregon Folklife Network |
 Fourth-generation old-time fiddler and button accordion player Dwight “Red” Lamb is a master of Danish fiddle and accordion traditions, as well as Missouri Valley old-time fiddling. With more than 60 years’ commitment to collection, recording, preservation, and teaching, Lamb has mentored generations of regional and international musicians and is the 2017 recipient of the Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship.Lamb, known for his unusual left-handed fiddle style, was born in Moorhead, Iowa, in 1934. Alongside his Danish grandfather, Chris Jerup, Lamb played his first dance on the single row ten-button accordion. Jerup, also a fiddler and button accordion player, learned from his own father in Vendsyssel, Denmark. In 1961, Lamb—also a protégé of Missouri Valley fiddler Uncle Bob Walters, a radio fiddler from Tekamah, Nebraska—entered his first fiddle contest. Lamb has gone on to win numerous awards from fiddle and accordion contests, and, as a nationally certified judge, he has adjudicated contests in nine states. Lamb is not simply a musician and teacher. Without his efforts, the majority of available recordings of Missouri Valley musicians such as Bob Walters, Casey Jones, Cyril Stinnet, and Lena Hughes, as well as their unique styles, repertoires, and stories, might have been lost. His broad repertoire reflects the confluence of his heritage and his region, as the Missouri Valley fiddle tradition reflects a unique melding of Anglo-Irish traditions with the Scandinavian, Eastern European, German, and Canadian influences of the upper Midwest. In recognition of Lamb’s preservation of this complex regional style, the state of Missouri invited him to perform at the 1991 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. He was featured again at the 1996 Smithsonian Folklife Festival (which helped to mark the Iowa Sesquicentennial) as well as for the 1996 Iowa Folklife Festival. Lamb received the Iowa Arts Council’s 1998 Folklife Award and has received Traditional Arts Apprenticeship grants in Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri. Lamb has made numerous recordings, including for Rounder Records; is featured on the 1996 Iowa State Fare CD (Smithsonian Folkways); and has appeared on Iowa Public Television. He has also performed in San Antonio at the 2011 International Accordion Festival and at the 2011 Tønder Festival in Denmark. Lamb’s international reputation came about late in life when his inclusion of old Danish buttonbox tunes on the album Joseph Won A Coated Fiddle (Rounder, 1999) attracted interest in Denmark, where the music of his forebears had vanished. In 2010-11, Danish accordionist Mette Kathrine Jensen and fiddler Kristin Bugge invited Lamb to Denmark, where he played to sold-out halls. In 2015, the Danish National Commissioner of Musicians awarded Lamb their highest honor, the Rigs Fiddler (Silver Coat) Award, for his work in returning Iowa’s Danish music to its homeland. |
Guy Klucevsek in Fall Concertsby Rita Barnea |
 Guy Klucevsek performs at Russ & Daughters Cafe’s The Stone Series, Sept. 28, 2017 at 8: PM. Russ & Daughters Cafe presents monthly musical performances from some of the very best jazz musicians in the downtown scene. For 2017, The Stone Series of music nights was curated by John Zorn.Music has been an integral part of the restaurant’s experience since it opened in 2014, and it is a distinct honor to welcome some of our favorite musicians. Russ & Daughters Cafe is located at 127 Orchard Street, between Rivington and Delancey. The music series is free, and there will be nosh and cocktail specials available in addition to our regular menu. On Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017 at 8 PM, Guy will play his compositions with the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Roger Zahab. The University of Pittsburgh is one of his alma maters, where Guy received his MA degree, studying composition with Morton Subotnick. This being Homecoming, the conductor invited him to join in the festivities. Featured compositions: “Ratatatatouille", "Wave Hill", and "Flying Vegetables of the Apocalypse": The concert takes place at Bellefield Hall Auditorium, 315 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Excerpts from his website: Guy Klucevsek is one of the world’s most versatile and highly-respected accordionists. He has performed and/or recorded with Laurie Anderson, Bang On a Can, Brave Combo, Anthony Braxton, Anthony Coleman, Dave Douglas, Bill Frisell, Rahim al Haj, Robin Holcomb, Kepa Junkera, the Kronos Quartet, Natalie Merchant, Present Music, Relâche, Zeitgeist, and John Zorn. Guy Klucevsek is the recipient of a 2010 United States Artists Collins Fellowship, an unrestricted $50,000 award given annually to "America's finest artists." Guy has premiered over 50 solo accordion pieces, including his own, as well as those he has commissioned from Mary Ellen Childs, William Duckworth, Fred Frith, Aaron Jay Kernis, Jerome Kitzke, Stephen Montague, Somei Satoh, Lois V Vierk, and John Zorn. Performances include the Ten Days on the Island Festival (Tasmania), the Adelaide Festival (Australia), the Berlin Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center, Spoleto Festival/USA, BAM Next Wave Festival, Cotati Accordion Festival, San Antonio International Accordion Festival, Vienna International Accordion Festival, and the children’s television show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” His 1987 project, Polka From the Fringe, a collection of commissioned polkas by Fred Frith, Elliott Sharp, Bobby Previte, Carl Finch, et. al., toured around the world and was released on 2 cds on the eva label, and were named “best recordings 1992” on WNYC-FM’s “New Sounds” program. In 1996, he founded Accordion Tribe, an international ensemble of composer/accordionists Otto Lechner (Austria), Maria Kalanemi (Finland), Lars Hollmer (Sweden), Bratko Bibic (Slovenia) and himself. They toured internationally from 1996-2009, are the subjects of Stefan Schwietert’s award-winning documentary film, Accordion Tribe: Music Travels, and released 3 cds on the Intuition (Germany) label. His music theatre scores include “Chinoiserie” and “Obon” with Ping Chong and Company, “Hard Coal,” with the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, “Industrious Angels” for Laurie McCants, “Cirque Lili” for French circus artist Jérôme Thomas, which has been performed over 250 times world wide, always with live music, and his own piece, “Squeeze Play,” an evening of collaborations with Dan Hurlin, David Dorfman and Dan Froot, Claire Porter, and Mary Ellen Childs. He and Dan Hurlin were awarded, jointly, a BESSIE for, “The Heart of the Andes,” which has played the Henson International Puppetry Festival, The Barbican Center in London, and the Ten Days on the Island Festival, Tasmania. Klucevsek has released over 20 recordings as soloist/leader on Tzadik, Winter & Winter, innova, Starkland, Review, Intuition, CRI, and XI. Stereo Review cited his Starkland recording, Transylvanian Software, as a recording of special merit" (1995). He can also be heard on John Williams’s orchestral scores for the Steven Spielberg films, “The Terminal,” "Munich," “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” and “The Adventures of Tin-Tin,” and on A. R. Rahman’s score for “People Like Us.” For further information: gklucevsek@me.com> |
Hanzhi Wang in September Concerts in New Yorkby Rita Barnea |
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| Accordionist Hanzhi Wang will present three concerts in upstate New York during September 2017: 2:PM Saturday September 23, 2017 Knox Octagon Barn, 588 Middle Road, Delanson, New York 1:PM Sunday September 24, 2017 Troy Public Library, 100 Second Street, Troy, New York 3:15 PM Sunday September 24, 2017 Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York Ms. Wang will perform transcriptions by Bach, Mozart and Grieg, and original works by Lohse and Moszkowski. She will be joined by accordionist Rocco Anthony Jerry who will perform Gene Pritsker’s “Stressor” and “Curves” and Conrad Kehn’s “Maximinimal”. The concerts are supported by Troy Public Library, Albany Public Library, Knox Octagon Barn and The Progression Ensemble. Hanzhi Wang (born 1990) is considered to be one of the shining stars amongst the young upcoming generation of classical accordionists. She has a remarkable career, and tours all over the world as soloist and chamber musician. In reviews she is described as "masterful", "technically flawless" and having a “remarkable stage presence", which adds to her innovative musicianship. She won the most important competitions for young accordionists by the age of 18, such as the Beijing International accordion competition in China and Klingenthal International accordion competition in Germany. Recently she won two important accordion competitions for professional players: The Arrasate International Accordion Competition in Spain (2013), and the Premio category of the International accordion competition in Castelfidardo (2015). The success in competitions has led to concerts and tours in Germany, Denmark, China, Japan, Sweden, Italy, Serbia, Monternegro and Taiwan. For the upcoming season, she will play concerts in Belgium, Portugal, Denmark, Holland, Serbia and Montenegro. She has also made several TV and radio appearances in many countries. With her sensitive performances, Hanzhi Wang has also become very popular among contemporary composers. Several of them have dedicated their works to her, such as Martin Lohse (Dk) and James Black (UK). She was also invited to be a visiting scholar at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City and also has presented concerts for new music. In 2018 she will release her first solo CD, with works by Danish composers. The CD is called "In the path of H.C. Andersen", and takes the listener in to the heritage of Danish adventures. I recently had the great pleasure to meet Hanzhi and hear her performance in New York. She is very personable, modest and a gifted performer who displays not only great technique but also sensitive playing. She discusses her performance and the solos which truly enhances the experience. If you have the opportunity to hear her person, you will be very happy that you were there. For further information: hanzhi@hanzhiwang.dk |
Gene Pritsker Composes for Accordion!by Rita Barnea |
 Video: Published March 14, 2017 of “Solemnity" by Gene Pritsker (world premiere) - NJPE, B3+, William Schimmel William Schimmel 70th Birthday Concert presented by WPU and Composers Concordance, September 19, 2016 Performed by the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble Peter Jarvis - Director, Conductor Peter Jarvis – Vibraphone Michael Aberback, Paul Carroll, Payton MacDonald - Percussion B3+ - John Clark, Franz Hackl, David Taylor William Schimmel – Accordion Gene Pritsker - Conductor Gene Pritsker descritbes his composition, "The word solemnity is used for occasions that are all about seriousness and dignity. The music is ceremonial that develops one percussion groove idea and one melodic idea. They move together solemnly, reacting to each other and evolving slowly. The percussive part of the music only uses 3 instruments: Cabasa, Djembe and a Tambourine. The vibraphone, accordion, horn and bass trombone are the quartet that set the harmonic and melodic language of the music. It is a procession with a grave undertone, a mood that reflected my feelings while writing this music, shortly after the passing of my friend of 16 years, my dog Poochini. I am sure though, that this is not the last tribute I will write for him, for my feelings are strong and consistently reveal themselves in the music I create." Gene Pritsker is a very prolific composer for various types of instrumental ensembles. He has composed many compositions for and including the accordion. Gene Pritsker (born 1971) is a Russian-born composer, guitarist, rapper and record producer living in New York City. He moved to the United States with his family in 1979 and lived in Sheapshead Bay Brooklyn. He attended the Manhattan School of Music from 1990 to 1994 where he studied composition with Giampaolo Bracali. While attending Manhattan School of Music he co-founded the Absolute Ensemble with Kristjan Järvi and formed Sound Liberation, which has released cd's on Col-legno, Composers Concordance Records and Innova Recordings. Gene's music has been performed by the Adelaide Symphony, MDR Symphony Orchestra, Athens Camarata, Brooklyn Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic. He worked closely with the Austrian-American jazz keyboardist and composer Joe Zawinul and has orchestrated Hollywood movies. His compositions are published by Falls House Press, Gold Branch Music, Periferia Sheet Music and Calabrese Brothers Music, LLC.His compositions and performances can be heard on Col Legno, Enja Records, Eutrepe, Wergo, Innova Recordings, Composers' Concordance Records, and Capstone Records labels. He is a member of Broadcast Music, Inc.. From the website of Gene Pritsker: Composer/guitarist/rapper/Di.J. Gene Pritsker has written over six hundred compositions, including chamber operas, orchestral and chamber works, electro-acoustic music and songs for hip-hop and rock ensembles. All of his compositions employ an eclectic spectrum of styles and are influenced by his studies of various musical cultures. Composer/guitarist/rapper/Di.J. Gene Pritsker has written over five hundred seventy compositions, including chamber operas, orchestral and chamber works, electro-acoustic music and songs for hip-hop and rock ensembles. All of his compositions employ an eclectic spectrum of styles and are influenced by his studies of various musical cultures. He is the founder and leader of Sound Liberation; an eclectic hip hop-chamber-jazz-rock-etc. ensemble who have released cd's on Col-legno, Composers Concordance and Innova Records. He is also the co-director of Composers' Concordance, a new music presenting organization with a 30 year history of producing concert in NYC. Other organization he is associate with include the Grammy nominated Absolute Ensemble, which he co founded in 1993 with Kristjan Jarvi and has been a composer in residence and guitarist with ever since. Gene's music has been performed all over the world at various festivals and by many ensembles and performers, including the The Adelaide Symphony, MDR Symphony, The Athens Camerata, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Brooklyn, Shanghai and Berlin Philharmonics, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, St. Lukes Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonietta Riga, Orchester des Pfalztheaters, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Anhaltische Philharmonie as well as such soloists as Anne Akiko Meyers, Lara St. John, Sarah Chang, Kathleen Supové, Martin Kuuskmann and Simone Dinnerstein. He worked closely with jazz fusion legend Joe Zawinul and has orchestrated major Hollywood movies, including 'Cloud Atlas', for which he wrote additional music and composed his ''Cloud Atlas Symphony’. The New York Times described him as "...audacious...multitalented." Joseph Pehrson, writing in The Music Connoisseur, described Pritsker as "dissolving the artificial boundaries between high brow, low brow, classical, popular musics and elevates the idea that if it's done well it is great music, regardless of the style or genre". Raul d'Gama Rose writes in All About Jazz: "Barring the obvious exceptions, much of 21st century composition appears to be thinning in significance, but this might be about to change. Gene Pritsker is one of a very spare handful of composers effecting this change." Evan Burke writes in ICareIf YouListen: "Pritsker seems to look at all music as one genre, in which all other possible styles, sounds and traditions are meant to be used as building blocks and palette colors, combined in various configurations to create a boundless whole. This result is almost always more interesting, and representative of how most new music will be born in the 21st century, as genres and barriers begin to vanish, and as styles begin cross-fertilizing in previously unimagined ways." Organizations he is associated with include: Co-director of Composers Concordance & Composers Concordance Records, co-founder/guitarist of Absolute Ensemble and artist-in residence at the Austrian Outreach Festival. Gene Pritsker's music is published by: Falls House Press, Gold Branch Music, Periferia Sheet Music & Calabrese Brothers music. Recorded on: Col Legno, Enja, Eutrepe, Wergo, Innova , Composers' Concordance Records, SONY Classical, and Capstone record labels. Future 2017 performances include: 9/3: Performing with Absolute Ensemble at Bremen MusikFest, premiering 'Clib Crawl' for chamber ensemble and DJ, feat. Mr. Switch. 9/17: Keve Wilson and Kathleen Supové perform 'Lament For An Event’ and Greg Baker and Gene perform 'Canons For Two Electric Guitars’ as part of Composers Concordance ‘Terrible Tows’ concert at William Paterson University 9/28:The CompCord Ensemble performs various compositions by Gene as part of their 'Music Over Wall Street’ concert at Robert's Wall Street Rooftop 10/7: Rocco Jerry performs ‘Curves’ for accordion and Sampelstra and ‘Stressor' for accordion at Everett Theater, Southern Vermont College as part of The Progression Ensemble's concert: Music by Gene Pritsker, Conrad Kehn and Yuji Takahashi 10/15: Rocco Jerry performs ‘Curves’ for accordion and Sampelstra and ‘Stressor' for accordion at Morton Memorial Library and Community House in Rhinecliff, NY For further information: genepritsker@gmail.com |
Cory Pesaturo Guiness World Record Attempt, Graz - Austriaby Harley Jones |
  A report of the event in detail at: CoryWRCory Pesaturo has won world accordion championships and now, he is on a new world quest: a Guiness World Record. Sponsored by RedBull, Cory successfully attempted to break the Guinness World Record for Longest Accordion Playing on August 4, 2017. The longest marathon playing accordion lasted 31 hours 25 minutes and was achieved by Anssi Laitinen (Finland) at Koljonvirta Camping Area, Iisalmi, Finland from 31 July to 1 August 2010. Anssi played 536 different songs throughout the attempt. Cory set out to attempt to play for 33-36 hours starting 10:30 am Friday 4th August at Optik Neuroth, Graz, Austria. Corey is allowed a 30 second break between songs and a 5 minute break every hour and will perform on an accordion sent to him by Scandalli who will also be a sponsor. Sponsor RedBull is video taping the entire event and also providing the witnesses. There must be two witnesses changing every four hours, never repeating a witness. Music cannot be repeated within any 4 hour period. A report of the full event is at: CoryWR |
Alex Meixner in Fall Programsby Rita Barnea |
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| Video: The live performances of The Alex Meixner Band thrill audiences with shows that combine virtuosity, creativity, and energy in a way that surprises and entertains. After many years of requests for a live album and DVD of their on-stage antics, the band has finally captured their spontaneous spirit. Alex is featured with his dynamic accordion, horn and vocal performances along with Hank Guzevich (of the 4 time Grammy-nominated Polka Family Band) on trumpet, guitar, and vocals; Joe Tierney on Sax, Clarinet, Guitar and Vocals; and Tom Haller on Drums. Special Guest vocalists Michael Morris and Bubba Hernandez (a 2 time Grammy winner with Brave Combo) add to the excitement. Alex Meixner is touring the East Coast of the USA this fall. You do not want to miss Alex’s spirited, energetic music. Alex Meixner is a nationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated musician, performer, bandleader, educator and a leading advocate of polka music. Excerpts from his website: Formally trained in classical, jazz and ethnic music, Meixner has cross-pollinated his versatile playing styles through pop music, funk, jazz and polka. He is an active ambassador for polka music, revitalizing interest coast to coast, resulting in sold-out shows, renewed cultural interest and growing mainstream acceptance. This band’s mission is about much more than playing energetic shows, it’s providing a much-needed positive experience that pulls communities together to celebrate history, culture and genuinely good times. The band’s latest album, You Asked for It, was recorded live and released in 2016. Alex said, "Friday and Saturday, September 1 and 2nd, 2017 bring us back to Rhode Island for the first time in quite awhile for The Alex Meixner Band's inaugural performances at the famed Rhythm and Roots Festival. The band lineup is absolutely amazing and we're all so stoked to be on the bill. If you're in the area, come join us to "Make Some Noise" Speaking of New Territory-- I've been looking at the information for the Alaska cruise for June, 2018. It's going to be awesome. There are special VIP benefits to signing up before October 1. Check it out now! Hope to be sharing some more great times" Future performances include: August 31 Portland, ME The Thirsty Pig September 1 & 2 Charlestown, RI Rhythm & Roots Festival September 6-9 Chocktaw, OK Chocktaw Oktoberfest September 14 & 15 Addison, TX Addison Oktoberfest September 16 & 17 Houston, TX Our Lady of Czestochowa Dozynki Festival September 29 Reading, PA Reading Liederkranz Oktoberfest EVENT CANCELLED September 30 & October 1 Cleveland, OH Cleveland Scene Oktoberfest September 30 Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD w/Bavarski Aberdeen Oktoberfest October 3 & 4 Callicoon, NY Villa Roma Resort October 5 Prospect Park, PA Marty Magee's October 6 & 7 Philadelphia, PA 23rd St. Amory Brauhaus Schmitz's Oktoberfest October 8 & 9 Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Festhalle Oktoberfest Please keep in mind the Alaska Cruise with Alex Meixner on the Radiance of the Seas, June 1-8, 2018 with an option for a four night land tour. See future USA news publications for more details. For further informations: info@alexmeixner.com |
Accordion Noir Festival 10th Year from Sept. 7-10by Rita Barnea |
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| Video 1: Here is a five minute montage of mainstage performances at the Accordion Noir Festival in 2016. The festival hosted brilliant accordion artists from BC and all over the globe, brought together audience and community from old to young, and supported the creation of new works and collaborative explorations. Canada's Only Alternative Accordion Festival Takes Place in Vancouver September 7th-10th, 2017. Excerpts from the Accordion Noir Press Release: The Accordion Noir Festival has announced its headlining acts for this year's festival, taking place September 7-10, 2017 at various venues in Vancouver. Celebrating its tenth anniversary as Canada's only festival of alternative accordion music,this year's special anniversary edition of Accordion Noir presents a pantheon of international and local accordion talent, including the North American debuts of Finnish accordion shaman Antti Paalanen and all-female Russian ethno-rock quartet Iva Nova, the Canadian debut of Accordion DJ Lykaire from Louisiana, as well as the launch party for Geoff Berner's latest album, Canadiana Grotesquica. The 2017 festival main-stage dates, Sept 7-10, 2017 have been expanded outward with the official addition of a host of side-stage events including workshops, free outdoor public performances, salon events and socials running from Sept 3-14, 2017. The Festival line up includes: Thursday, September 7: The festival opens with the first Vancouver iteration of Drink-o-Bingoby notorious accordionist and raconteur Grayson Walker of Hearse (Victoria, BC). Friday, September 8: The accordion takes on mythic proportions with a hypnotic solo performance by headliner Antti Paalanen (Finland) at St. James Anglican Church. Paalanen has become one of Europe's most sought after accordion performers, transporting audiences to primal Finnish landscapes through his signature combination of virtuosic technique and inspired electronics. A new commission by composer Giorgio Magnanensi rounds out the night, featuring electronics by Magnanensi and bandoneon by Douglas Schmidt, a standout performer/composer who has appeared with symphony orchestras across the world. The after-party features an electronica/accordion set from boundary-breaking Accordion DJ Lykaire (Lafayette, Louisiana). Saturday, September 9: Iva Nova (Russia) is a multilingual band who describes their mixture of Slavic, electronic and rock influences as "ethno-extreme". Hailing from St. Petersburg, this all-female group of consummate musicians has honed their unusual sound through fourteen years of European touring, building a loyal following with their politically relevant yet mischievous songs. Caught between rural restlessness and urban insanity, Iva Nova's music offers Canadian audiences a taste of Russia's bubbling alternative scene. Saturday at the festival also sees the return of hometown accordion legend Geoff Berner with Canadiana Grotesquica, the "whiskey rabbi's" latest release with Coax Records. Performances at the Russian Hall. Sunday, September 10: The festival wraps with a revival of the fan favorite Underdog Instrument Grudge Match. Initially conceived as a comedic battle between the musically maligned, this year's edition shakes things up by embedding the accordion into trendy "hipster" genres including Team Trad, Team Musical Theatre and Team Silicon Valley North. Featuring a stellar cast of Vancouver musicians who trash-talk as well as they play, the Grudge Match aims to be a stirring argument for accordion supremacy and a very good time. The Accordion Noir Society acknowledges the financial and in kind support of the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, BC Arts Council, Coop Radio, Russian Federation of Canadians, Spartacus Books, Tempo Trend Music Store, and the outstanding contributions of many individuals who help make the festival happen each year. DETAILS: WHERE: Russian Hall (Strathcona), St James Anglican Church WHEN: September 7-10, 2017 |
Musical Tribute to Dick Contino at Las Vegas - USAby Kevin Friedrich |
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| Lady of Spain, written by the English bandleader and composer, Tolchard Evans was made extremely popular by the legendary American accordionist Dick Contino (January 17, 1930 - April 19, 2017). The handsome young heartthrob played it as a solo on the Horace Heidt Radio Show and kept winning week after week after week. Although he played many other pieces, Lady of Spain became his most recognizable and most popular one, even more so after his 1950 appearance on the Ed Sullivan TV Show. A regular performer at the Las Vegas Accordion Convention, Dick Contino's last appearance their was in 2014 when he stood up as usual and played a very long set of pieces with his back-up guys as well as singing. Dick brought the audience to tears with his inspirational and poignant commentary. It has been the tradition for the Las Vegas International Accordion Orchestra to close the Convention on Thursday Evening and many times Dick was in the audience with his family and his many friends. This year will be different. It will be the first Convention after Dick’s death. As a tribute to Dick, Joan Cochran Sommers has arranged Lady of Spain for the festival Orchestra to play as the closing piece on its program. She thought it would be inspiring and exciting to have Cory Pesaturo, Grayson Masefield and Stas Venglevski join the orchestra on a couple of choruses – ala The Three Tenors, following along the lines of how the Three Tenors performed all over the world with various symphony orchestras. Cory, Grayson and Stas will be the Star Performers at the 2017 Las Vegas Accordion Convention and when they join the festival orchestra, they will show the audience some of the bellows shakes that were made so popular by Dick Contino, better known in Las Vegas as Mr. Entertainment. For more information, please visit www.accordionstars.com. |
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The Northeast Squeeze-In Weekendby Rita Barnea |
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| The Northeast Squeeze-In will be held from September 22-24, 2017. The Squeeze-In is a non-profit laid-back weekend gathering of players and their partners. No one is paid. People are just in it for the legendary fun. They play...and dance...and jam...and have a blowout Saturday night. Beginners and the talented advanced alike are welcomed. The North-East Squeeze-In happens every fall at Camp Chimney Corners (748 Hamilton Road, Becket, MA,) in the Berkshires. Meet friends old and new in a comfortable, low-key setting with many places for workshops and spontaneous squeezings. Hobnob with (other!) free-reed aficionados and behold an assortment of squeezeboxes and their paraphernalia for sale, swap & hagglement. To help you plan long term, the tentative future NESI date is September 21-23, 2018. The Squeeze-In is held at Chimney Corners, a fabulously well appointed year round camp and conference center in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, 30 minutes from the Lee exit off the Mass Pike and close to Tanglewood, the summer home of the BSO. NESI is a relaxing retreat from daily life and a day-into-night opportunity to learn new tunes, improve your skills, share what you know, sing, dance, and play with an eclectic bunch of friendly musicians. It’s not a music festival. It’s not an instructional (though there are a ton of free-form workshops) weekend. It’s just a lot of fun, run entirely by volunteers, and organized as a not-for-profit event by musicians like you. If you are looking for it on a map, you want to find Becket, Massachusetts, just off the western end of the Mass Pike. The actual venue is Chimney Corners YMCA Camp, which becomes the Berkshire Outdoor Center when the summer camp season ends. It is used during the rest of the year by school groups, for corporate retreats, and for affinity gatherings such as NESI. If your partner likes music, there is a lot to listen to, and some non-players decide to take up an instrument after a weekend of free-reed saturation. There are lovely wooded trails for walking on the extensive Berkshire Outdoor Center grounds, a large pond with canoes and kayaks available, a wood-fired sauna, shopping in nearby Lee and Lenox as well as in a large outlet center on Route 20 at the exit from the MA Turnpike, and lots of places to curl up with a book (to say nothing of a cozy library...with fireplace...stuffed with Nancy Drew and Lassie of SunnyBrook Farms novels...real comfort reading). The cabin/camping area has tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts. The Saturday night concert and contra dance are fun for just about everyone. For more information: Registration & Attendance : register@squeeze-in.org General Information: contact@squeeze-in.org |
The PT Deep Squeeze - Accordion Festival and Fundraiserby Rita Barnea |
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| Port Townsend in the state of Washington has their own accordion festival spanning three days from September 1-2, 2017 and features performances by touring and local bands and solo acts, playing everything from rock to tango, to world and more. This year the organization is raising funds for The Jefferson Healthcare Hospice Foundation. The Hospice Foundation for Jefferson Healthcare, is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which raises friends and funds in support of end-of-life services provided by Jefferson Healthcare Hospice. Come to experience all the joy, effervescence and authenticity of this spectacularly versatile instrument, while helping an important cause! There will be silent auctions, raffles, food and free admission! Groups featured include: The Alternators, Creosote, Mike Danner, The Mad Maggies, Nordic Spirit, Tangoheart, Those Darn Accordions, Vickie Townsend and Tsunami Piñata. The event takes place at the Pourhouse 2231 Washington St, Port Townsend, Washington 98368 A brief description of each group: The Alternators: This high-energy acoustic duo consists of fiddle wizard Peter Evasic and his accomplice, George Radebaugh on accordion. They play a mix of Irish, Zydeco, Gypsy, Django swing, polkas and waltzes and more. The Alternators frequently play festivals, weddings, performance spaces around western Washington and are guaranteed to get your inner dancer moving even if you sit there nonchalantly sipping a cider or brew. Creosote is accordion duo Jamie Maschler and Gabriel Rodrigues, playing a dynamic array of original and world music. Maschler and Rodrigues are seasoned musicians and are individually and collectively mastered at their craft. Expect to hear virtuosic and elegant arrangements of new Brazilian and World music classics. The instrumental duo is currently working towards a studio album to be released end of 2018. Mike Danner has been playing music in Portland, Oregon since he was a wee lad, from street corners to saloons, festivals to fine theaters. An accomplished singer, songwriter, accordionist, pianist, and Hammond organ player, Mike makes music in multiple genres, from the1920s-style jazz of his band Trashcan Joe (a Portland mainstay), to the 40s-style jump blues of The Pepper Grinders (featuring the legendary sax player Ralph Carney and Hall of Fame drummer Carlton Jackson), to the eclectic chamber/pop of his newly-formed accordion quartet Paper Bellows (featuring Jenny Conlee, Courtney Von Drehle, and Dutch sensation Jet Black Pearl – watch for them on the 2018 festival circuit!). As a soloist, Mike likes to sing and squeeze his own originals as well as lesser-known gems by some of the great American songwriters. Mike is very happy and excited to play the Port Townsend Deep Squeeze Accordion Festival!! The Mad Maggies continue to kick up the dust with their distinctive sound. What started as a one-off recording project back in 2004, became a wild, musical adventure spanning genres, criss-crossing musical borders and knocking over a few traditions along the way.This year, they have been cooking up more new tunes for their latest and 8th release, the “pink album”. The Mad Maggies are: Johny Blood: tuba, bullhorn; Ray Fernandez: saxophones; Ian Luke: drums, percussion; Maggie “Mags” Martin: accordionist, vocals, composer, fearless leader; Tim “SepTIMus” Sarter: U-bass, bass guitar; Gary “GDub” Wium: guitars. Nordic Spirit: Jeff and Jane Anderson have been playing Scandinavian music together since the day they met in 1999 at a Washington Old-time Fiddlers gathering. At the age of 15 Jeff taught himself to play in the musical tradition of his Norwegian grandfathers. Jane, who is also self-taught on the buttonbox, acquired her interest in Scandinavian music from her accordion-playing father who was from Minnesota.They have performed as the Nordic Spirit band for festivals, dances and concerts throughout the Northwest and Midwest as well as teaching at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes. They play dance music for waltz, schottische, polka and other toe-tapping rhythms. Those Darn Accordions (TDA) are among America’s favorite rock ‘n’ roll accordion band and can entertain any crowd. With two accordion players out front, and bass and drums holding down the rhythm, the band pumps out an outrageously original sound that works for almost any occasion, from giant festival stages to cozy clubs and unique corporate venues. Fronted by squeezebox wizard/lead singer Paul Rogers, the band writes many original rock and funk songs, and also explores more-eclectic musical genres like ska, country and the prerequisite polkas. The aim is always to entertain, with an emphasis on solid musicianship and an unmistakable sense of humor. Suzanne Garramone, the band’s other accordion player, adds fleet fingers and a variety of guitar effects pedals to produce a sound like nothing you’ve ever heard emanating from a typical accordion.Drummer Bill Schwartz and bass player Lewis Wallace round out this one-of-a-kind band. thosedarnaccordions.com The Vickie Townsend Band: Vickie started playing piano accordion when she was eight years old, but put it aside until she became interested in the button accordion twenty five years ago. She’s been making music for over two decades with her husband Michael in their bands Beatnik Zydeco and Mojito. She traveled to Cuba to study Afro-Latin music and also had a recent opportunity to play in England and France. Powered by a modified Cajun button box, her repertoire draws from blues, Zydeco, Latin and folk. Tsunami Piñata plays acoustic party music from around the world, arranged for banjo and accordion. They specialize in intricate instrumentals, and will also sing to you in many languages. Their music draws from many traditions, including klezmer, Northern Mexican folk songs, Italian tarantellas, tangos, Chilean rock covers, Russian Cartoon music, and original compositions. |
September 26 Tribute Concert to Tony Rozanceby Laura Niland, President of the San Antonio Accordion Association |
  Accordionist Mike Middletonhas agreed to come to San Antonio to play a tribute concert to the late Tony Rozance, who was instrumental in teaching the accordion to so many of us in the 40s through 70s. Mike is also trying to collect Tony Rozance memorabilia so that he can place a special tribute to Tony at the Accordion Museum. You can come down to San Antonio for this Tribute Concert on Tuesday Sept 26, 2017 at 5:30PM at Chesters Hamburgers on NE Loop 410 between Nacogdoches Rd and Broadway in the Private Party room where the San Antonio Accordion Association will be holding its monthly meetings. Tony deserves his place in history and we want to make this happen. If you have any photos, letters, arrangements, writings, concert booklets or other things with Tony Rozance’s influence, please donate that to the cause. Help us give Tony the credits that he deserves and a special place in the history of the accordion at the Accordion Museum. As many of you know, he was also a past President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild. Mike will be playing Tony’s beautiful old vintage Excelsior accordion with all the bling and he will also bring the Tony Rozance Accordion School sign that Mike found in Pennsylvania at a pawn shop just by accident. Tony used to live in Pennsylvania and had a studio there for many years. We appreciate Mike Middleton for making this happen. He would love to see some of Tony’s former students come to this concert and those who knew him. Let’s share this wonderful time together. We look forward to seeing you all and hope to have a big crowd. For further information: Laura Jean Niland, President of SAAA Phone: 210 651 4359 Email Mike Middleton if you have specific items to donate: Michael.Middleton@BSWHealth.org |
Accordion Pops Orchestra in Concertby Rita Barnea |
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 Video: Accordion POP's Orchestra performing "Wizard of Oz" at Shannondell at Valley Forge, September 18th, 2016Al Terzo conductor; Video by Dean Ratzer The Accordion Pops Orchestra under the direction of Al Terzo will perform on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 3:PM at Shannondell at Valley Forge - Auditorium 10000 Shannondell Drive Audobon, PA 19403 It will be their eighth concert at beautiful Shannondell, a retirement home near historic Valley Forge. The concert is open to the public. Last year over two hundred people attended. Excerpts from the APO website: Most of the twenty-five plus members of the orchestra are professional musicians or teachers. Many are soloists in their own right. The orchestra performs a repertoire of light classical, Broadway, big band and popular music. It has entertained audiences at concert halls, county fairs, festivals, schools, and playhouses at many locations primarily in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York. The orchestra's roots can be traced to 1970, when it was organized by the Accordion Teachers' Association of New Jersey. Over the next ten years it performed at various community functions throughout the state under the direction of its first conductor, Dr. Jacob Neupauer of Philadelphia. In 1980 the orchestra members took a leave of absence, but four years later the membership was reorganized under the direction of the late Eugene Ettore of Livingston, New Jersey. In 1985, Daniel Desiderio was invited to act as a guest conductor of the orchestra and a few years later the A.T.A. of NJ appointed him as conductor in residence. The name of the orchestra was formally changed to the Accordion Pops Orchestra and its membership was expanded beyond the original members from New Jersey to include performers from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Rhode Island. Maestro Desiderio retired as conductor in May 2011 and turned over the baton to Al Terzo. One of the largest professional accordion orchestras of its kind on the East Coast, the group consists entirely of accordions plus percussion instruments. In addition, the orchestra often accompanies guest soloists including pianists and vocal artists. For further information: alterzo@hotmail.com |
Carrefour Mondial de L'Accordeon Festival Until Sept. 4by Rita Barnea |
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| The Carrefour Mondial de lâ Accordeon Festival takes place from August 31 to September 4, 2017 in Montmagny, Quebec. About 34 miles east-northeast of Quebec City, Montmagny is a proudly French-speaking town that is over 300 years old and has 11,885 residents. From August 30 through September 3, the population swells to more than 50,000, most of them intent on hearing some of the finest accordionists in the world. Quote from a TripAdvisor contributor, "If you love accordion music (or even if you hate it), this place is an adventure. The Carrefour Mondial brings accordionists from all over the globe, and it seems as if every man, woman, and child in Montmagny plays some version of a squeezebox. We camped out, dined where we could (the locals provide their hearty version of baked beans), line danced, and heard the accordion stretched to its ultimate performance abilities. It was so much fun. Highly recommended. 2017 performing artists include: Renzo Ruggieri, Roman Jbanov et Marie-Noëlle Cros, Trio Martin Bellemare, Alexandre Boivin Caron, Antoine Pigeon-Bourque, Marie-Brousseau et Guillaume Turcotte, Georges Camitsis, Duo Montanaro-Cavez, Club Carrefour, Sébastien Clermont, Vladimir Denissenkov, Francine Desjardins, Keven Desrosiers, Joaquin Diaz, Dina Swing, Serge Duchesne et Luciano Testani, Samuel Garcia et Mario Cimenti, Sabin Jacques et Rachel Aucoin, Alexandre Juan, Diamik, Duo Silb, Bernard Lafargue, Jean-Claude Laudat et Jean-Yves Dubanton, Réjean, Lizotte, Tipsy 3, TokaTaNoka, Jesse Mea et R. Bourgeois, Gaston Nolet et Michel Béchard, Patrick Nolet, Denis Pépin, Cati Plana et Pau Puig, Valérie Plante, Gorkata, Loïc Primeau-Vinetti, Vildà Tapia eta Leturia, Simon Thoumire et Mark Maguire, Timi Turmel et Erin Leahy, Paolo Vani and Gerry Virone. For further information: accordeon@montmagny.com |
Michigan Accordion Society Presents the Music of Tony Dannonby Rita Barnea |
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| The Michigan Accordion Society is pleased to present their Sept 19, 2017 Music Event featuring "Belleau Notte” to be held on the east side this month at Nonna's Kitchen in Shelby Township, MI. Events are always open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 PM. The concert, “Belle Notte” features the music of Tony Dannon. The Michigan Accordion Society is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization established in June of 1996 by a group of accordion enthusiasts as an association for promoting and sharing the music of the accordion. Their purpose is to promote the accordion as a versatile instrument which is capable of accompanying music styles of all types. From the website: We are a very enthusiastic and active Society that coordinates monthly music events that are open to the public and feature a wide variety of accordion music through both professionals and amateurs accordionists as well as other singers and musicians who perform a wide variety of instruments performing along side accordionists. President Joe Recchia said, "Our members also perform at many public venues and our members promote the use of the accordion which has benefited our community by generating significant funding for cancer research, to help feed the hungry and to bring smiles to Seniors in retirements homes and to children in our public and private school settings. Our Membership Roster base is made up of Accordionists and people who enjoy listening and also musicians and singers who enjoy performing along side accordionists. Currently we have over 280 members which is growing monthly and range in age from 4 to 100 years of age. Our "Accordion For Kids" has helped generate wonderful enthusiasm in our community as we have seen more young people that are taking an interest to learn to play and appreciate the accordion. In addition, we also have a healthy music scholarship program that has benefited several dozen music students within our community." For further information: jrecchia@comcast.net |
Brooklyn Accordion Club Presents Rob Curto: "The Life and Music of Luiz Gonzagaby Rita Barnea |
 Accordionist Rob Curto will perform for the Brooklyn Accordion Club on Sunday, September 17, 2017 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at 61 Local Cafe & Public House, 61 Bergen St, Brooklyn, NY. HIs presentation is "The Life and Music of Luiz Gonzaga”. Luiz Gonzaga and the Story of Forró: This class/presentation utilizes photo projection, recorded music and live musical performance to teach students about accordionist Luiz Gonzaga, one of the most important Brazilian cultural figures and musical innovators of the 20th century and about forró, the style of music that he revolutionized. Accordionist and composer Rob Curto has spent years playing forró in Brazil, the United States and all over the world. Admission: Due to very tight budget this year, the admission is $10 the rest of the year. If you'd like to donate for the club, your support will be greatly appreciated. Calling accordionists for open mic! Sign up in advance by emailing or just show up! "The Brooklyn Accordion Club builds a community of accordion players of all levels and accordion enthusiasts in the heart of Brooklyn, and provides performing/learning opportunities for players of all levels.” Admission: $10.00 per person (kids under 18 free! For further information email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
The 2017 Seminars - A Great Success!by Dr. William Schimmel |
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 Our 23rd Smash Year! - The Title: #The Red Lantern Accordionist - the Accordionist who's is in to for the long haul. and, for 3 solid days to filled audience in the beautiful Tenri Space, we explored every aspect of #RED LANTERN culture.In the afternoon master classes we had lectures - everything from Red Lantern topics, Buying an accordion, The original Greenwich Village art scene, Philosophies of Benjamin, Adorno, Derrida and other #DECONSTRUCIVISTS, #GRAPHIC NOTATION and writing for accordion as an backup factor for #ART SONGS - with vocalists. The Concerts were traditional , theatrical and Avant Garde - ranging from Chamber pieces, Jazz, Fusion, Zombie Rock, Improvisational ETC. Ninety percent of the pieces were world premieres. In addition, The Seminars received two grants - one from the I-park residency and the other from ICSM - The international Society of Contemporary Music. Participants included: Micki Goodman, Paul Stein (presented with a special Merit Award , Dr. Robert Young Mc Ma -han, Will Holshouser, Doug Makofka, Brian Dewan, Max Maples, Emmanuel Borowski, Gene Pritsker, Melissa Elledge, Mark Nathanson, Michiyo Suzuki, Akiko Hiroshima, Godfrey Nelson, Lorraine Nelson Wolf, Dragica Banic Curcic, , Erica Marie Mancini,Dave Soldier, Mayumi Miyaoka, Dan Cooper, The Yorkvillians, Rachel Swaner, The Main Squeeze Orchestra, Bachtopus, Milica Paranosic,, Peter Jarvis, David Stoler, Steve LaRosa, David First, Mary Spencer Knapp, Dr. Hugo Goldenzweig, Lee Mc Clure, Ken Laufer, John Foti, Kathleen Tipton, Marni Rice, Bob Goldberg, The Famous Accordion Orchestra, Corn Mo, Rachid Eladlouni, Carl Riehl, Linda Reed, Rita Barnea, Dr Denise Koncelik, Alicia Svigals, Jeanne Velonis, Cecylia Barczk, Devon Tipp, Sydknee, Michiyo Suzuki, Genevieve LeLoupe, Robert Duncan, Jenny Cho, Elliott Sharp, Sarah Starpoli,Sam Day Harmet, Steph Babirak, Sal Azzarelli Jules A. and ….Dr. Schmmel - surprise guest New York City Opera Diva Lauren Flanigan with two students: Shelby Casalina and Siobahn Sung. The photos were taken by Michael Ricciuti - compliments of Sari Kalin Pictures at: 2017Seminar For further information: billschimmel@billschimmel.com |
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Ksenija Sidorova Lights Up Lincoln Center, NYby Frank Busso, Jr., Director of Ernest Deffner, Inc., USA Distributor for Pigini |
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 On Saturday, August 5, 2017, Ksenija Sidorova made her “Mostly Mozart” debut at Lincoln Center’s Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse.The Mostly Mozart Festival is a weeks-long classical music festival that takes place in New York City every summer. Ms. Sidorova’s performance was branded as the first accordion soloist recital in the history of the 51-year-old festival. Her program featured the following selections: · Scherzo-Toccata (Londonov) · Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, maman,” K. 265 (Mozart) · Autumnal Sceneries (Kusyakov) · Barcarolle, Op. 10, No. 3 (Rachmaninoff) · Revelation (Voitenko) · Tanti Anni Prima (Piazzolla) · Sentido Unico (Piazzolla) · S.V.P. (Piazzolla) Most of the arrangements were by Ksenija Sidorova. The audience in the sold-out venue was charmed by Ms. Sidorova’s artistry, technical capabilities, showmanship, and congeniality. She masterfully explained the capabilities of the accordion as a classical music solo instrument to a crowd filled predominantly by classical music enthusiasts with minimal accordion experience. Some of her upcoming festival performances include the Jurmala Festival in Latvia, the Rheingau Musikfestival in Germany, the Baltic Sea Festival in Sweden, and the MITO Festival in Italy. Ksenija Sidorova will return to New York City in 2018 for a concert series at famed Carnegie Hall. |
Orchestra Sets Free a World of Instruments Hiding Inside Digital Accordionsby Sam and Peggy Falcetti |
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 Close your eyes and you won’t believe you are hearing an orchestra of accordions! The New England Digital Accordion Orchestra may sound like a brass band, a full-out symphony or a classic Big Band, but accordions are exactly what produced these musical styles and many more at two summer communityconcerts in Western, Massachusetts. These outdoor concerts were held on the West Springfield, Ma. Town Common, sponsored by the Mass. Arts Council, and also on the East Longmeadow, Ma. High School Campus, sponsored by the East Longmeadow Rotary Club and Channel WWLP TV. Both concerts were presented on a band shell provided by the sponsors. The well attended audiences in the hundreds were a joy to play for, remarked the conductor, Sam Falcetti. Many attendees danced along with selections such as "Gonna Fly Now", "Ease on Down", "He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands" and "Your Mama Don’t Dance". They also had an opportunity to sing along with an instrumental civil war medley including "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah", "On the Road Again", and "God Bless America". Vocalist, Ed Young, of New London, Ct., added punch to the Big Band sound with Frank Sinatra hits sprinkled throughout the two hour performances. “His sound is unbelievably like Sinatra” said Orchestra Director Sam Falcetti of Wilbraham, Ma., retired founder of Falcetti Music in Springfield, Ma. “We’re going a step further with the original Quincy Jones arrangements that Sinatra used on many of his biggest hits.” “You see accordions but you clearly hear flutes, and trombone solos, etc. and then they play “Pennsylvania Polka” and you have a polka band sound” said Falcetti, who has watched accordions evolve over a 60 year music teaching career. Comments from the sound engineers setting up both concerts were unexpected and very encouraging.They had very limited experience working with digital instruments except for keyboards and electronic drums. The sound of the orchestra was very pure, clear and crisp and sounded the same 20 ft. or 200 ft. from the stage. When the orchestra blended an accordion reed sound along with orchestral sampled instruments, it gave a whole new dimension to the instrument. They also remarked on getting a sax, trumpet and trombone section sound which they thought was about 90% of the real acoustic blend. Certainly the accordion industry should be grateful to Roland Corp. and the late Ikutaro Kakehashi for the creation of this revolutionary Roland V Accordion a reality. The New England Digital Accordion Orchestra is the first and only Digital Accordion Orchestra in the United States. They rehearse once a monthat Falcetti Music in Springfield, Ma. The 21 members are from all over New England and are able to practice their parts by playing along with a recording from each rehearsal on a USB stick in their Roland accordions. The conductor, Anselmo “Sam” Falcetti, started on the accordion at the age of 10, and began home teaching when he was 16. Before graduating from the University of Hartford with a degree in theory & composition, he opened up his first accordion studio in Westfield, Ma. During his career Mr. Falcetti has conducted the Springfield Accordion Orchestra on performance tours in Japan, Italy, New Zealand and the USA in the 70’s and 80’s. He also directed the Orchestra on National TV on the David Frost Show with Roberta Flack. In the 80’s, by invitation, his Westfield State University Accordion Ensemble performed twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City. As founder of Falcetti Music he provides Roland Accordion sales, service and instruction and is the distributor for all of New England. Sam resides with his wife Peggy in Wilbraham, Ma. and is proud of his two sons and four grandchildren who are all involved with music. For more information: samfalcetti@gmail.com |
Gary Dahl Has Over 200 Individual Arrangements and 10 eBooksby Harley Jones |
 Gary Dahl has achieved a milestone of over 200 individual arrangements online as well as 10 eBooks.Gary began this mammoth arranging journey when he realised from his students and fellow accordionists, that there was a strong demand for arrangements of different styles and genre. Gary was one of the early pioneers, in 2002, of marketing accordion arrangements using the internet, and from that time, Gary has been steadily publishing new arrangements that have proved to be very popular with accordionists in all parts of the world. There are two recent new releases: Catalog: DH0260 - Sweetheart of Sigma Chi composed by Vernor, lead sheet arrangement by Dahl Catalog: DH0261 - Tarantella Napoletana composed by Crisculo, arranged by Dahl Congratulations to Gary Dahl on reaching the milestone of over 200 individual arrangements online plus the 10 eBooks. View all at: Gary Dahl |
Emilio Magnotta to Perform for the Long Island Accordion Allianceby Rita Barnea |
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| La Villini Restaurant of East Northport, NY is sponsoring the next meeting of the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 6:PM. The featured guest artist will be Emilio Magnotta. The LIAA, celebrating their seventh year, promises an evening of fun and wonderful music. Place:La Villini Restaurant 288 Larkfield Road East Northport, NY 11731 Phone: 631 – 261 – 6344 Emilio Magnotta, founder of Emilio Accordions is a professional player of piano and diatonic accordions who understands the demands and expectations of accordion players. Emilio Magnotta lives and breathes accordions. Emilio began accordion lessons at the age of 5 after becoming captivated by accordions as a toddler. His mother recognized his talents and sought out the best instructors. Emilio has been privileged to study with accordion maestro Cliff Scholl, as well as coaching from Carmen Carrozza and Mario Tacca. An admirer of the greats, Emilio has framed photographs of the classic accordion players in his shop and memorabilia he treasures. Emilio performs professionally in the NY-metro region and is sought-after for events, such as performing at the Intrepid Sea & Air Museum in NY, Gracie Mansion, Bryant Park, United Nations, as well as weddings and major events. Emilio is a proud member of the American Accordionists’ Association and Connecticut Accordionists’ Association. He also sells and repairs accordions in White Plains, New York. Emilio said, “I am basically living and breathing the accordion seven days a week. It is part of me and my life. My dream is to have my beautiful little daughter Emilia to follow in daddy's foot steps. My love, my passion, my accordion." For further information: Emilio Accordions emilio@emilioaccordions.com (914) 281-1725 |
Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini Perform for the LIAA Seventh Anniversaryby Dominic Karcic |
 Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini were headliners at the “Seventh Anniversary Celebration" of the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at La Villini Restaurant in East Northport, NY. Once again this duo came through with another fabulous program of vocals (I Wish you Love, Firenze Sogna, And I Love You So, Send in the Clowns, Brindisi From Traviata and Precious Lord Take My Hand) and great accordion instrumentals that included some of Mario's original compositions and also a French waltz and Dizzy Fingers. What is so very interesting and note worthy is that this team always comes through with mostly all new material - a different repertoire. That takes work and dedication and speaks to their "dedication and professionalism." Bravo Mario and Mary! Mario and Mary will revisit the LIAA later this year (November 1st). The September 6th featured artist for the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) will be Emilio Magnotta. Future performances by Mary Mancini and Mario Tacca: Sunday, September 17, we will be at Magnanini Winery. Spaces are filling up, so make your reservations now. Contact Magnanini Winery at 845-895-2767. Saturday, September 30, we will be performing at the Ossining Elks Lodge, 118 Croton Avenue,Ossining, NY.. Be sure to make your reservations early - contact John Codman at 917-488-7187. This will be a great musical evening with our friends Phil Battiston on drums and Mike Caruso on guitar/mandolin/banjo. Photo by Peter Sbuttoni For further information: mariobtacca@hotmail.com |
Passing of Suzanne “Sue” Welchby Donna Maria Regis |
 Dear Musical Colleagues, Friends, and Family,With a sense of deep loss, but also tremendous gratitude for her life, I send the attached appreciation of Sue Welch, who passed away in her sleep Friday morning, August 25, 2017 at St. Francis Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Laconia, New Hampshire. May she make heavenly music for eternity. Funeral arrangements: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 291 Union Ave, Laconia New Hampshire. The services will begin with Calling Hours 12 Noon at the church. The Funeral mass will start at 1:PM. Following the mass, there will be the burial and following that, a brief gathering at the church hall for snacks and refreshments. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield St., Laconia. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Hampshire Humane Society, PO BOX 572, Laconia, NH 03247. Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. Funeral Home (603) 524-4300 Memorial Contributions may be made to the New Hampshire Humane Society. Donna Maria Regis Co-Founder & Artistic Director, ACCORDIONS NOW! Music Festival Former Music Director, New Hampshire Accordion Association regisdonna@yahoo.com Suzanne “Sue” Gauthier Welch lived a meaningful life, its path largely carved by her love of music. Strongly encouraged by her piano teacher to continue her musical education beyond high school, Sue left her native Connecticut, headed north to Manchester, New Hampshire for a full scholarship at Notre Dame College, where she was president of her senior class. She stayed to live the rest of her life in the Granite State. Sue graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Music in Piano and was promptly hired by her future husband, Arthur Welch, to teach piano and free-bass accordion at his expanding music studio. She and Arthur fell in love, marrying in early April 1972. Sue continued to teach but also managed the office until 1984, when they closed the Manchester studio and moved further north. As Arthur devoted his career to performing, Sue worked as his indefatigable promoter. In 1991, the couple opened Accordion Connection LLC to handle an increasing demand on Arthur’s time for accordion repairs and sales, with Sue again managing the office. In 2005 the Welches started New Hampshire Accordion Association [NHAA], offering Accordion Connection’s Music Room in Gilmanton as a friendly meeting place for the group. Sue served as Executive Secretary of NHAA, which, with Accordion Connection, proudly co-sponsored the very popular and successful ACCORDIONS NOW! Music Festival she co-founded. The festival went on hiatus in 2014 as the demands of organizing and running it became too exhausting. Despite the ever-encroaching symptoms of disease, Sue continued to maintain an active musical career as teacher, choir director, and accompanist at churches in Concord, Gilmanton, and Laconia. Throughout seven-plus years of increasingly difficult treatments, Sue kept her sense of humor and never failed to appreciate the kindness and love of those who loved and cared for her. She touched so many lives that her loss is incalculable. May she sing forever in our hearts. |
20th Annual Rhythm & Roots Festival Line Upby Rita Barnea |
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| The 20th Annual Rhythm & Roots and Dance Festival is happening on Sept 1st, 2nd, & 3rd, 2017 at Ninigret Park in Charlestown, Rhode Island. It is held every Labor Day Weekend and is considered by many to be one of the best festivals for music, dancing and camping. The line up of groups many of which include the accordion are: The Mavericks, Rosanne Cash, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, MarchFourth! Squirrel Nut Zippers, Knickerbocker All Stars with special guests TBA, The New Orleans Suspects with Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett of Little Feat, Marcia Ball, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Shinyribs, Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, Pine Leaf Boys, Ten Strings and A Goatskin featuring Leonard Podolak of The Duhks,Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Sarah Potenza & Ian Crossman, The Turtle Duhks, Los Texmaniacs, Courtney Granger and Friends, Lilly Hiatt, Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express, Say Darling, Sunday Gospel with Sarah Potenza & Christine Ohlman, The Revelers, and the Alex Meixner Band. Artists In Residence: David Greely, Johnny Nicholas, Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne, Magnolia Cajun Band and Ed Poullard and Preston Frank Family Stage Performers: Mama D, Keith Munslow, Len Cabral, and Marc Levitt, A Lotta Hoops with Shenandoah, Keith the Bubble Guy, and the Funstagators For information and ticketing: Rhythm & Roots 800-901-7173 Option 3 |
Future events |
Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Oct. 23-26by Rita Barnea |
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| What are the benefits of attending the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention (LVIAC) this October 23-26, 2017? Key Benefits of Attending the Convention are: 1. Join the fun and make new friends from all over the World. 2. See the latest in new accordions with factory exhibits. 3. Hotel accommodations are very inexpensive. 4. Be inspired by some of the finest. 5. Learn from the masters. A Special Scholarship will be awarded:Diero Youth Accordion Scholarship Pietro Deiro was born in 1888. Under the influence of his older brother, Guido, he began to play the accordion in Germany in 1905. In 1907, he moved to the United States, where he became the first accordionist to use a chromatic instrument with a piano-style treble keyboard. He began professional recording in 1910, and his most famous song, “Pietro’s Return,” was recorded in 1914. Mr. Deiro wrote many compositions, studies and transcriptions, and even opened his own publishing house. Referred to as the “Father of the Piano Accordion,” Pietro Deiro died in 1954. The Scholarship: The Las Vegas International Accordion Convention is proud to offer the Deiro Scholarship Award with the goal of promoting accordion musicianship, artistry and culture among today’s young and talented performers. The Scholarship offers free tuition to the annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention, October 23-26, 2017, and is awarded through any sponsoring accordion club, organization or chaperone to one deserving youth accordion player 8 to 17 years of age. An adult must accompany the award recipient by attending the convention. Estimated value of each award is $570.00. Qualification: The Pietro Deiro Scholarship award recipient must be between 8 and 17 years of age at the time of the convention, and must have demonstrated musicianship and artistry in accordion performance. The recipient should also demonstrate an interest in accordion culture through a general knowledge of the instrument’s history and current application in the music world. The recipient must be accompanied by an adult chaperone who has been approved by the sponsoring organization, or who is related to—or is legal guardian of—the award recipient. Award winners will be announced publicly during the convention, and may be asked to perform publicly at least once during the convention. Applications must be postmarked no later than September 23, 2017. Download the application 2017Vegas.pdf and send the completed form to the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention, postmarked by September 23, 2017. |
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Stas Venglevski Concertsby Rita Barnea |
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| Video 1: Stas Venglevski & Tatyana Krasnobaeva perform Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso--Camille Saint-Saens, on March 5, 2017 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Milwaukee, WI. Presented by Accordion XXI, artistry on a global scale. Bayan virtuoso, Stas Venglevski, blends his talent with Tatyana Krasnobaeva, cimbalom (dulcimer). Bayanist, accordionist and composer Stas Venglevski will perform on October 22, 2017 6:30 PM at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 5315 Main St., Houston, Texas. He will also be a featured guest artist and clinician at the 18th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention in Las Vegas October 23-26, 2017. Excerpts from his website: His artistry, dazzling technical command, and sensitivity have brought Stanislav, "Stas," Venglevski, a native of the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union, increasing acclaim as a virtuoso of the Bayan. A two-time first prize winner of Bayan competition in the Republic of Moldova, Stas is a graduate of the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow where he received his Masters Degree in Music under the tutelage of the famed Russian Bayanist, Friedrich Lips. In 1992 he immigrated to the United States. Stas is an Accordionist, a Musician, an Arranger, an Entertainer and a Teacher. Stas' repertoire includes his original compositions, a broad range of classical, contemporary and ethnic music. He has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the United States, including numerous performances with Doc Severinsen, Steve Allen and with Garrison Keillor on the Prairie Home Companion Show. Additionally, he has performed with symphony orchestras throughout the United States. He performed the world premiere of Concerto No. 2 by Anthony Galla-Rini and also the world premiere of Bayan and Beyond, composed for Stas by Dan Lawitts.He is also former president of the ATG. Stas has many wonderful CD’s and musical compositions including solos, duets, and ensembles available for purchase. Contact him at his email address. For further information on the Houston concert: meghada33@gmail.com For more information on Stas: stay@stasv.com |