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Yellow Pages Events
Highlights |
Roland Int., Svetlana Ivanchenko Represents US This Weekend - Italy
Sammy Thomas Wins at CMA Trophée Mondial de l'Accordeon - Spokane
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USA
Dick Contino "Music Then and Now" on Nov. 18
Now Available, ‘Sterling Illusions’ by Karen Fremar, Kansas – USA
Fantasy Op. 67 Composed by Karen Fremar, Performed by Laimonas Salijus - Lithuania
‘The Classical Tradition’, Arranged Gary Dahl, Published by Mel Bay - USA
Victor Prieto in Concerts
David Lange in Pearl Django on November 18th, Seattle
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Stas Venglevski Performs with the Milwaukee Ballet
Hohner Launches Simply Music Accordion Teachers Program
Cory Pesaturo performs on National Television ABC
Lou Coppola Trailblazes Again, George Mason University - Virginia
Who was Gerard Grisey?
Grisey/Accordion/Moi
Family Matters - Dueling Accordions Episode
2013 Accordion Babes Pin-Up Calendar/CD is Available Now
November Accordion Events
Spokane Accordion Club “Squeezin and Pleezin” Newsletter
Accordion Pops Orchestra Press Release
Future events |
Accordionaires Orchestra Concerts, LA
Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra on December 1st
New Hampshire Accordion Assoc. Celebrates St Patrick's Day, November 17th
Wurstfest is coming!!!!!! , New Braunfels, Texas
John Simkus to Perform for Chicago Accordion Club
Next Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) Meeting, NY
Official Trailer for 'This Is My Country. Twin Fiddles & Accordion' - USA
Gaucho Gypsy Jazz Sextet heads East!
Highlights |
Editor's Noteby Rita Barnea |
 The November USA news will be smaller this month due to the hurricane on the East Coast of the USA. Thank you to the Accordions Worldwide team for their great assistance in having the news online on time. A few late arriving articles will be online within the next 24 hours.We hope that all of our readers are well and safe. With power outages expected etc., roads closed, and no TV, computers, or internet, this may be a good opportunity for you to practice/play your accordion! Please submit your concert performance dates and details for the December news to Ritabelll@aol.com AWW staff wish you all to be safe during this time of natural disasters. |
Roland Int., Svetlana Ivanchenko Represents US This Weekend - Italyby Harley Jones |
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 From November 1st-3rd will be the finals of the 6th Roland V-Accordion International Festival for Digital Accordions, sponsored by Roland Europe. Read in detail about the upcoming event, the competitors, the Jury at: 2012 Rome Festival. This superbly organized international event will have Daily Reports and live video online at: 2012 Rome Festival. If you cannot be in Rome, you can read the Accordions Worldwide Daily Reports including photos, results and live video by Deschamps Channel. The live streaming starts on Friday at 9.30 am Rome time. See competitor and video timetable for Friday and Saturday at: 2012 Rome Festival Representing the US is Svetlana Ivanchenko. Originally from Russia, Svetlana now lives in Dallas, Texas where she gives private piano and accordion lessons, performs regularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and is the pianist/organist for the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in Dallas. Svetlana won her first Roland FR-7 accordion in the Roland International V-Accordion US Competition and plays the Roland FR-7x accordion as well as a Roland RD700GX digital stage piano, and Yamaha acoustic grand pianos. In Russia, she was the Director of Bayan and Accordion Department for the Mari El State Music College while serving as head of the Commission of Folk Instrument Art Department for the Mari Republic College of Culture and Arts where she was also Orchestra Conductor as well as Choral Director. She holds a Masters Degree in Music Education, has been involved in teaching and performance for over 22 years and performed as accordionist with the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra. |
Sammy Thomas Wins at CMA Trophée Mondial de l'Accordeon - Spokaneby Rita Barnea |
Sammy Thomas, Round 2 performance
 The CMA Trophée Mondial de l'Accordeon 2012, October 23rd to 27th, has just been held in Spokane, Washington. The results are:Trophée Mondial Senior Classique category: 1st Iosif Purits (Russia), 2nd Alexander Veretennikov (Russia), 3rd Laimonas Salijus (Lithuania). Trophée Mondial National Trophée category: 1st Aleksandr Kolomiitcev (Russia), 2nd Mo Li (China), 3rd Predrag Radisavljevic (Serbia). Trophée Mondial Junior Classique category: 1st Jiahe Zhang (China), 2nd Daniel Viktor Eliasson (Sweden), 3rd Zoé Schade Cahen (France). Trophée Mondial Senior Variété category: 1st Sam Thomas (USA), 2nd Aleksandar Kolovski (Macedonia), 3rd Liu Zhao (China). Trophée Mondial Junior Variété category: 1st Matteo Petronio (Italy), 2nd José Dias (Portugal), 3rd Jean-Baptiste Baudin (France). Trophée Mondial Senior Variété Diatonic category: 1st Marco Leonetti (Italy), 2nd Marina Costanzo (Italy), 3rd Marco Pomanti (Italy). Trophée Mondial Digital Diatonic category: 1st Marco Leonetti (Italy), 2nd Marco Pomanti (Italy), 3rd Stefano De Dominicis (Italy). Trophée Mondial Junior Variété Diatonic category: 1st Maryanne Francescon (Brazil). Full results with the marks of each jury member is online at: 2012CMAresults The Opening Concert on Tuesday night featured the World Premiere of a Gorka Hermosa work, soloist Grayson Masefield with the Spokane String Orchestra, the Spokane Symphony and Tango Volcado. Picture left Spokane event organizer Patricia Bartell and CMA President Frederic Deschamps. All the concerts and competitions from Wednesday onwards were broadcast live on the Deschamps Channel. These are archived so that you can also watch the past competition categories and concerts. The competitions started on Wednesday morning with Senior Classique category, the 5 contestants playing order being: Laimonas Salijus, Iosif Purits, Petr Babin, Barbara Slawinska and Alexander Veretennikov. Wednesday afternoon was the Junior Classic category, the contestants playing order being: Artur Adrshin, Viktor Eliasson, Zoe Schade Cahen, Shiyi Zhang and Jiahe Zhang. Wednesday evening featured the CMA Evening Family Concert with Renzo Ruggieri (Italy), Grayson Masefield (New Zealand), Antonio Spaccarotella (Italy), Danilo di Paolonicola (Italy), Pietro Adragna (Italy), The Portato Accordion Band (USA), Sergiu Popa (Canada), Ernesto Calderon (Chile), and Spokane’s Young Talent: Emil Haroldson & Holden Tubbs. Thursday morning was the National Trophée category, contestants: Pedrag Radisavljevic, Michael Bridge, Mo Li, Augustinas Rakauskas, Aleksandr Kolomiitcev and Yevgeniy Nosov. The Senior Classique Round 2 is in the afternoon and Thursday night is the Senior Variete Diatonic, contestants: Marco Pomanti, Stefano De Dominicis, Marco Leonetti, Jesus Garza, Marina Costanzo. Then the Senior Variété category followed with contestants: Liu Zhao, Viivi Maria Saarenkyle, Mahatma Costa, Elsa Gourdy, Gregoire Fellay, Sam Thomas, Ginaluigi Cardelli, Chris Gorton, Barbara Slawinska, Buillaume Fric and Aleksandar Kolovski. Friday scheduled the Junior Classique Round 2 and the Junior Variété Diatonic single contestant Maryanne Francescon then Junior Variété competitors: Alessio Di Sante, Naomi Harris, Gabriel Soileau, Andrea Di Giacomo, Maxime D'Errico, Alexander Bodell, Matteo Petronio, Jean-Baptiste Baudin, José Dias. The new Digital Diatonic category contestants are: Marco Pomanti, Marco Leonetti, Stefano De Dominicis. The event finished with a prize giving and concert and an American Dance and Celebration on Saturday evening. |
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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Dick Contino "Music Then and Now" on Nov. 18by Rita Barnea |
 Well known accordionist, Dick Contino, will present a concert: Music of "Then and Now" on November 18th at 2 pm, at the Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Seattle, Washington. Dick Contino stars in main showrooms from Las Vegas to Atlantic City and headlines many fairs and festivals throughout America. The California native recently completed a national tour in which he broke house records from coast to coast. During his career, Dick has played virtually every major stage and television show. He has also starred in films and daytime television. He has attained an inner peace that makes him a delight to be near. Dick believes, "I allow my life to consume my art, rather than let my art consume me." Famous for his distinctive playing technique, the bellow shake, he is able to coax out of the instrument a warmth bordering on passion. He presents himself with a feeling of moment to moment spontaneity . Although best known for his million sellers such as "Lady of Spain", "Granada" and "Tico Tico," he is equally at ease with current show material. Contino also surprises audiences with his fine vocal stylings. Corky Bennett, will be the guest performer. Corky is a jazz pianist, accordionist, singer and stand-up comic, considered by the media and the public to be a most unique musical/comedy artist. He is also the founder of CB Productions, Inc. which produces events including The Great American Polkafest every October. Pearl Django will also perform. Now in their seventeenth year of performing, Pearl Django continues to be one of America’s most respected and busiest Hot Club style groups. Advance ticket prices are: Single $25, Couple $40. Day of show-door prices are: Single $30, Couple $50. Toll-free ticket line: 1-855-266-9847 For further information: info@cbproductions.net |
Now Available, ‘Sterling Illusions’ by Karen Fremar, Kansas – USAby Harley Jones |
 The just released video of the premiere performance of ‘Sterling Illusions’, a concert work for Trombone, Vibraphone and Accordion composed by Karen Fremar (picture left) and performed by Janne Silfverberg (trombone), Sarrah Cantrell (vibraphone) and Karen Fremar (accordion). Enjoy!This work was premiered at the Vivant! and Grayson Masefield Concert, April 18, 2010, Unity on the Plaza, Kansas City, MO and the music is now released at: kfremar-C-102 Karen Fremar writes: "The one movement work is multi-sectional. The long lyrical lines of the trombone melody soar over the rhythmical patterns of the accordion and vibraphone. Beginning mysteriously, the work contains jazz elements, some Latin rhythmic structures, and concludes with an exciting finish." You can also watch below the video of Laimonas Salijus (Lithuania) playing the Fremar solo concert work, Fantasy Op. 67. The music is available at: kfremar304 See other original compositions available online at: Karen Fremar |
Fantasy Op. 67 Composed by Karen Fremar, Performed by Laimonas Salijus - Lithuaniaby Harley Jones |
‘The Classical Tradition’, Arranged Gary Dahl, Published by Mel Bay - USAby Rob Howard |
  ‘The Classical Tradition’, published by Mel Bay, is a new book by Gary Dahl of arrangements for accordion of excerpts of well known classical music. The book is released on October 31st 2012.The 30 arrangements include: ‘Finlandia’ – Sibelius, ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ – Wagner, ‘La Danza’ – Rossini, ‘Piano Concerto No 2’ – Rachmaninoff, ‘Claire de Lune’ – Debussy, ‘Hungarian Rhapsody No 2’ – Liszt, ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ – R. Strauss, ‘The Blue Danube’ – J. Strauss, ‘La Traviata’ – Verdi, ‘Maple Leaf Rag’ – Joplin, ‘Rag in D minor’ – Frosini, and ‘Pilgrims’ Chorus’ – Wagner, plus many more. Gary Dahl is well known as a virtuoso accordionist, composer, arranger, recording artist and teacher. He has produced hundreds of individual arrangements available on the MusicForAccordion website and more than a dozen books currently in publication by Mel Bay Publications. Price: US$24.99 For further information email: garydahlmusic@msn.com |
Victor Prieto in Concertsby Rita Barnea |
 The Victor Prieto Trio featuring Pablo Aslan {Bass} and Chris Cheek will perform at Terraza 7 Live Music on November 8th at 9:45 PM at 40-19 Gleane Street, Elmhurst, NY, (718) 803-9602.Victor Prieto is a native of Galicia, Spain born in the town of Orense in 1975. At the age of nine Victor was encouraged by his mother to study the accordion-an instrument deeply ingrained in Galician folklore. While studying classical accordion at the Orense Conservatory Victor understood the immense musical potential of his instrument and branched out from the classical education by concurrently taking harmony, arrangement and improvisation classes at Estudio Escola de Musica (Santiago de Compostela, Spain). In 1998 Victor received a scholarship from Berklee College of Music where he majored in performance under the direction of Joanne Brackeen. Today Victor Prieto is revolutionizing the way that the accordion is played by creating new sounds and techniques for this instrument. His music embraces Jazz, Tango, Classical and Celtic Roots enriched with new rhythms and colors. He is the creator of a new technique for the accordion called “chord approach on both hands”, which creates rich and elaborate harmonies. In 2002 Victor moved to New York where he quickly established himself as one of the most prolific and versatile accordionists on the music and Jazz scenes. As a leader Victor has performed at many prestigious venues and events such as Berklee Performance Center, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blue Note NY, New Jersey Performance Art Center, Three Rivers Musical Festival, Williamsburg Jazz Festival, Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. Victor has performed and recorded with Yo-Yo Ma (Songs of Joy and Peace, Sony BMG Masterworks. "2010 Grammy Winning Album"), Arturo O'Farrill Latin Jazz Orchestra, Billy Hart, Jeff Ballard, Paquito D’Rivera, Matt Wilson, Donny McCaslin, Lionel Louke among others and is involved in projects such as The Maria Schneider Orchestra and Emilio Solla’s Jazz Tango conspiracy. He teaches Master Classes in Spain, Italy, Portugal, USA and has headed the jazz accordion studies at the Brooklyn Conservatory (2003 – 2004). He is a recipient of numerous awards and prizes for excellence in accordion performance and composition, among them are: the Creative Performer award from the Spanish Association of Artists and Performers, and the first prize at CMZK’s Concourse of Composition (Argentina). Victor now lives in New York City dividing his time between performing, teaching and recording. He has recently introduced his third recording, "Chris Cheek and V. Prieto. Rollo-Coaster.", Cheekus Music. His future performances include: November 14: Casa Mazcal, NY Nov. 30: La Nacional, Victor Prieto Trio, 239 West 14th, NY Dec. 1: Texas University Dec. 2: Roger Davidson Group (V.Prieto on accordion) Dec.20: Terraza 7 Live Music 9:30 PM, Viktor Prieto Trio For further information: victorprieto2001@yahoo.com |
David Lange in Pearl Django on November 18th, Seattleby Rita Barnea |
 Pearl Django will perform in Music of "Then and Now" on November 18th at 2:PM at the Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Seattle, Washington. Other performers on the concert will be Dick Contino and Corky Bennett. Now in their seventeenth year of performing Pearl Django continues to be one of America’s most respected and busiest Hot Club style groups. Though still strongly influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, Pearl Django’s repertoire now includes many original compositions. Their music reaches out across the divides of taste to a wide variety of audiences. The band's fervent followers include Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli fans, guitar enthusiasts (and guitarists!), lovers of string music, including bluegrass devotees, who relish nimble, clean, intricate picking, "world music" fans drawn to French and Gypsy accents, plus jazz buffs and aficionados of the new swing music. Transcending simple categorization, Pearl Django packs in enthusiastic audiences at dance halls and nightclubs, at folk music festivals and jazz festivals. David Lange is the accordionist for Pearl Django. David Lange has been an unofficial member of Pearl Django since the group's inception. He has been the recording engineer and co-producer of all of the Pearl Django CDs. David's fine accordion playing can be heard on all but the first two Pearl Django CDs. He is a well-respected and in-demand recording engineer and for the last 25 years has worked with and recorded top musicians at his studios (David Lange Studios) in Edgewood, Washington. In 2007 he was persuaded to return to his first love and make time to play the music he loves with Pearl Django. Advance ticket prices are: Single $25, Couple $40. Day of show-door prices are: Single $30, Couple $50. Toll-free ticket line: 1-855-266-9847 For further information: info@cbproductions.net Michael Gray | bookings@pearldjango.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
New AAA Email Addressby Rita Barnea |
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| The email address of the American Accordionists' Association, AAA1938@aol.com has been hacked. It is no longer a valid email. Please use the following: ameraccord1938@gmail.com |
Stas Venglevski Performs with the Milwaukee Balletby Rita Barnea |
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| Accordionist Stas Venglevski performed with the Milwaukee Ballet on Thursday, October 25, 2012 in the world-premiere production of Michael Pink's "La Bohème" in Uihlein Hall. Danced to Puccini's familiar operatic score, the ballet is set in 1950s Paris. Pink's articulate choreography blends gestures, facial expressions, stage business and dance. Stas performed onstage for the dancers with the orchestra playing behind him in the pit and several solo, musettes and improvisations. Future performances include: November 14 to 25, 2012 7:00 pm, Austria Tour with Dombrist Misha Litvin December 6 and 7th 2012 7:30 pm Festive Soiree with Robin Pluer; Stas Venglevski; Juli Wood; Peter Roller; Connie Grauer; Jim Zick at Helen Bader Recital Hall, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 North Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI For further information: stasvenglevski@wi.rr.com This is Stas's new email address effective immediately. |
Hohner Launches Simply Music Accordion Teachers Programby Scott Emmerman |
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  Scott Emmerman, Hohner USA Director of Marketing and Sales press release of 31st October said: Hohner announce the launch of the Simply Music/ Hohner Certified Teachers Program at the 2012 Trophee Mondial World Accordion Championships that took place on October 23rd through the 27th in Spokane, WA. Simply Music/ Hohner’s new curriculum is a breakthrough in music education for anyone wanting to either teach or learn how to play the accordion. Simply Music's world-renowned piano methodology has been adapted for the accordion. Accordion teachers can now become Hohner Certified and participate in a remarkable, new training program. Students who study the accordion with Hohner Certified teachers will learn to play great-sounding contemporary, classical, accompaniment and blues pieces immediately, starting from their very first lessons. Hohner will make entry-level accordions accessible at reasonable prices for all instructors who participate in the Simply Music/ Hohner certification process. For more information email: SEmmerman@hohnerusa.com |
Cory Pesaturo performs on National Television ABCby Rita Barnea |
| Cory Pesaturo on ABC - Video above. Cory Pesaturo was once again part of the Columbus Day Parade in New York City, the largest Italian heritage parade in the world every year. After last year, playing with Pia Toscano, he performed with Elise Testone, whom Cory says was "the main reason the accordion was used with her on American Idle. The producers didn't want to use it, but she pushed for it." Also, Corey had an interview with the most famous woman in business, CNBC's Maria Bartiromo and, Saturday Night Live's Joe Piscapo. Later in the month, Cory Pesaturo performed with his violinist, Yasmine Azaiez, in Rennes, France for the Grand Soufflet Festival. They performed both acoustic shows and electronic shows, with their own Pop music and covers of modern, rock, and techno pieces. Next month, Cory will perform at Tony Dannon's memorial concert in Detroit on November 4th. Tony was a judge, influence and companion of Cory, so Corey feels honored to perform there. |
Lou Coppola Trailblazes Again, George Mason University - Virginiaby Joan Grauman Morse, AAA Historian |
 Lou Coppola, he's at it again, acting in the role as trailblazer! At the age of 18, Lou was the first American accordionist to represent the AAA and enter the Coupe Mondiale competition, held in Brighton, England in 1955 (and at the same competition, Joan C. Sommers represented the ATG, another first). Now, years later, Lou is teaching the first and only course in strolling string music at an American college, George Mason University, Falls Church, Virginia.Invited by music department chairman, Dr. Dennis Layendecker, to structure and teach this subject in a formal course setting, Lou Coppola eagerly accepted the challenge. With his decades of experience as accordionist for the United States Air Force Strolling Strings and his thousands of private engagements for civilian clients with his string groups, Lou has ample experience for the job. It's a new world for these young people, previously playing only in classical ensembles. Learning the music is only one of the student’s responsibilities. There is chart memorization, choreography strategy and in addition, one must remember to smile, engage the audience one on one and execute ensemble elements as well. While there is a lot of good humor and fun during the class time, there is also a lot of hard work. But we know it will pay off and give these young people the knowledge that will benefit them well in their future music careers. It’s exciting for a person to bookend their professional life with projects that haven’t been tried before. This quest from the trailblazer Lou Coppola is an inspiration to us all. |
Who was Gerard Grisey?by Rita Barnea |
 The late Gerard Grisey, whose early career in the 1960s included being a CIA Coupe Mondiale winner, was the forerunner of the Spectral School of Music composition, which is to create music based on the overtone series producing an end result which makes acoustic instruments almost sound electronic.Gerard Grisey studied the accordion in France. He included the accordion in several of his compositions. It is important that people learn how the accordion played an integral part and continues to do so, in the musical development of composers. Please read the fascinating and personal insights in the next article by Dr. William Schimmel who knew Gerard Grisey. Gérard Grisey was born in Belfort, France on June 17, 1946. He studied at the Trossingen Conservatory in Germany from 1963 to 1965 before entering the Conservatoire de Paris. Here he won prizes for piano accompaniment, harmony, counterpoint, fugue and composition (studying under Olivier Messiaen from 1968 to 1972). During this period, he also studied with Henri Dutilleux at the Ecole Normale de Musique (1968), as well as summer schools at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena (1969), and in Darmstadt with György Ligeti, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Iannis Xenakis in 1972. Grisey won the highly coveted Prix de Rome and stayed at the Villa Medici in Rome from 1972 to 1974, and in 1973 founded a group called L’itinéraire with Tristan Murail, Roger Tessier and Michael Levinas, later to be joined by Hugues Dufourt. Dérives, Périodes, and Partiels were among the first pieces of spectral music. In 1974-75, he studied acoustics with Emile Leipp at the Paris VI University, and in 1980 became a trainee at the IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique). In the same year he went to Berlin as a guest of the D.A.A.D., and afterwards left for the University of California, Berkeley, where he was appointed Professor of Theory and Composition (1982-1986). After returning to Europe, he taught composition at the Conservatoire de Paris, and held numerous composition seminars in France (Centre Acanthes, Lyon, Paris) and abroad (Darmstadt, Freiburg, Milan, Reggio Emilia, Oslo, Helsinki, Malmö, Göteborg, Los Angeles, Stanford, London, Moscow, Madrid, etc.) Among his notable pupils were Jörn Arnecke, Mark Andre, Régis Campo, Pascale Criton, Stéphane de Gérando, Henrik Hellstenius, Javier Jacinto, Ramon Lazkano, Fabien Lévy, Magnus Lindberg, Fausto Romitelli, Éric Morin, Arturo Rodas, Steingrimur Rohloff, and Erling Wold. Among his works, most of which were commissioned by famous institutions and international instrumental groups, are Dérives 1974, Jour, contre-jour 1979, Tempus ex machina 1979, Les chants de l’amour 1984, Talea 1986, Le temps et l’écume 1989, Le noir de I’etoile 1990, L’icône paradoxale 1994, Les espaces acoustiques (a cycle consisting of six pieces), Vortex temporum 1995 and Quatre chants pour franchir le seuil 1998. His music is often considered to belong to the genre of spectral music, which he is credited with founding along with fellow composer Tristan Murail, although he later disowned the label in interviews and writings. Grisey spent much of his career exploring the spectrum of tone colour between harmonic overtones and noise. In addition, he was fascinated by musical processes which unfold slowly, and he made musical time a major element of many of his pieces. Gerard Grisey composed several pieces for accordion including "Passacaille" (1967). It was performed by Mikko Luoma, recorded on the CD "virtuoso accordion" by Mikko Luoma available on CD Universe. "Partiels’ is scored for chamber ensemble with accordion and features the accordion in a highly textural manner. Gérard Grisey died at the age of 52 in Paris on 11 November 1998 due to a ruptured aneurysm. |
Grisey/Accordion/Moiby William Schimmel |
 It was the fall of 1964. Our director, Dr. Jacob C. Neupauer arrived late that morning. We, the students at Neupauer Conservatory were excited. Dr. Neupauer was returning from Canada as a judge in the 1964 Coupe Mondiale World Accordion competition.The first and second place winners were Americans: Steve Dominko and Bill Cosby. When Dr. Neupauer arrived, we were ready with questions: “ What did Steve play?” “Schubert, Dr. Neupauer replied – Wanderer Fantasy”. Steve represented The American Accordionists' Association. Bill Cosby represented The Accordion Teachers' Guild. The third place winner was from France. Dr. Neupauer stated: “that French kid was good”. Who was he, we asked? Someone by the name of Gerard Grisey (1946 – 1998). When the contest journal arrived with the scores and pieces chosen, I noticed Grisey's choice selection, "Fetes", by Debussy. As a composition student, I knew this Second Nocturne quite well, but never dreamed of trying to play it on the accordion. Schubert yes, but Debussy? You see, accordions don't come equipped with damper pedals, or any pedals for that matter. Sustenuto had to come from some other place. My curiosity was at a high peak. We then learned that Grisey would be paying us a visit – spending a day at the conservatory with us – brought in by Stanley Darrow, an accordion teacher from Westmont New Jersey. Grisey was staying at the Darrow household in the hopes of getting some concert dates – to launch some sort of career. Darrow was a kind of sponsor. We were regular people from blue collar families. This was typical of the accordion community back then. Rich kids for the most part didn't take up the accordion. Our conservatory was on the seventh floor of the Schubert Theater building – right next to The Academy of Music. It was an alternate universe. Yet, we knew how to look good, dress well, suit up on the right occasions and we understood what it was like to be cool, not in the jazz sense, but in a very real well grounded sense. We could mix well in most companies or events. Grisey (and Darrow) arrived at the conservatory one morning the following week. He greeted us with “How are you”? He sat in class with us, harmony first, then a performance class where we all performed – Grisey included. He played “Fetes” by Debussy. It was a small room and he had a large Hohner Morino accordion. What was interesting about his performance was his choice of going into wet tuning in the large climactic sections. In the softer moments, he caressed the keys with a minute subtlety. And yes, he was a piano accordionist. When asked how he felt about our performances, he simply shrugged his shoulders. In a joking fashion, we asked him what or who for that matter was the greatest contribution to France since Bridgette Bardot, he simply answered “moi” - he wasn't joking. After he left, we all tried to smoke our cigarettes the way he did – holding them from the bottom – French style. We then tried to copy his German bellows technique that he learned at the Trossingen Conservatory under Frau Braun. Our imitations ended up as parodies. He was”French” and pretentious. I say this with irony and affection (many of my fans today are French). We imitated him for our own amusement, moved our bellows in and out German style and invented poems and rhymes that poked fun of his unique personality. Two poems in particular still linger in my mind: Here I sit what a loner trying to steal Grisey's Hohner At least it rhymes. Here's the other one – written by a rather dull student who waxed creative due to an obsession with Grisey: (sung to the tune of White Christmas): "Grisey's dreaming of a White Christmas just like the ones that Stanley knows where his bass buttons glisten and students listen to hear his fine bellows technique that he learned in Trossingen" Try fitting that to White Christmas. We would see him at local accordion events in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area. He was smug, yet cordial and tried his best to mingle with us. His look was different. We dressed preppy and conservative, not unusual for working class adolescent kid. He had short European style suits and a haircut that resembled the Beatles in Hamburg - hair combed downward. The last time I spoke to Grisey was at an accordion competition. He was there to play at the closing concert, not to compete. I was competing in four categories. He performed a duet with Stanley Darrow and performed “Fetes” by himself. His performance was good, but not brilliant. What read well in that small room at the Conservatory didn't read well in the large hotel ballroom. It was clear to me that Grisey was already losing interest in performing and was more interested in the sounds that he was producing. He was clearly playing for himself. In hindsight I can see that “Fetes” could have been one of his early sparks of what later became “Spectral Music” which he became the inventor and father of. Grisey later entered the Paris Conservatory and studied compostion with Messian. I too became less interested in performing and enrolled at The Juilliard School in composition. At that concert, I totally identified where he was coming from. But when the winners were announced, I won top prizes in the four categories that I competed in:: Classical, Contemporary, Sight reading and Jazz. When my name was announced four times, Grisey looked astonished and surprised, as if to say: “How is this possible?”. But it did happen and Grisey came over to me, shook my hand and said “Congratulations”. I said to him: “Fine performance”. Or – was it the other way around? I'd like to believe that it was the former, but I think it was the latter. It was very unlikely that Grisey would walk over to anyone. He rarely applauded at our concerts. A few years ago, I revealed to a member of a premiere new music group that I knew Grisey. Word traveled fast, but I want to make one thing perfectly clear. We were not “buds” or “bros” - there was never any real bonding. The conductor of the new music group asked me, in the presence of a “Spectral Music” composer whose work we were performing – What was he like? I smiled (like a cheshire cat) and he answered: “French and pretentious!?” And the three of us had a good laugh. Yes, Grisey is dead, but his music and his profound influence on younger composers is very much alive. His fame and notoriety took off and soared after his death – like many great composers. He did not like the term “Spectral Music” and his later music began to indicate that he was starting to break his own rules – like many other great composers. My own career ironically took off after a harsh “fall from grace”. Performing took precedence and all composing became filtered through performance – hence the term “Musical Reality” or “Realities”. And (the last time I looked) I'm still here on earth happily thriving in this strange dimension. Grisey never listed any reference to the accordion in his biography but used it in a few of his compositions. I had the honor of performing in his chamber work, "Partiels". It is clear to me that the accordion was a prime factor in his development of a sound musical philosophy – I heard it firsthand when he performed Debussy. For me, the accordion has shaped my philosophy one hundred percent. Our common link was the accordion – an instrument that seems to have the power of uniting the most disparate and contradictory of personalities and forces. |
Family Matters - Dueling Accordions Episodeby Harley Jones |
| This is a classic scene from the episode "Hot Stuff" in July 2007 where Myra tries to win Steve's heart through a mutual interest - the accordion. This has been on youtube since then and recently clicked over 330,000 viewers, showing continued interest in the video. We hope you enjoy it too. |
2013 Accordion Babes Pin-Up Calendar/CD is Available Nowby Rita Barnea |
 Spend a little time with the Accordion Babes, sirens of the squeezebox with songs to sing and tales to tell. This year they are heroes, villains and divas in the 5th Edition of the Accordion Babes Album & Pin-Up Calendar. It is a unique holiday gift.The Accordion Babes CD gives you a chance to hear their music. Prepare to be amused, astonished and inspired! The beautiful, spunky women that grace these pages are more than just babes; they are independent artists with wit, soul, and passion. The 2013 Accordion Babes are: Ms. January Diana Strong, Ms February The Sansa and Shiri Show, Ms. March Doodles LaRue, Ms. April Salane Schultz, Ms. May Luz Gaxiola, Ms. June Joan Wilson Reuter, Ms. July Onah Indigo, Ms. August Amber Lee Baker, Ms. September Maggie Martin, Ms. October Mrs. Hobbs, Ms. November Katheryn Petersen, Ms.December Jet Black Pearl, Cover : Renée De La Prade The project, begun by musician Renée de la Prade, started with the mission to take the accordion from Lawrence Welk and give it to Sophia Loren. The CD includes Accordionistas playing folk, French cabaret, jazz, Latin cumbia, Irish, and more on a 13 song compilation CD. The 2013 Accordion Babes Calendars are $15 plus shipping, CD included. If you'd like to arrange for pay-by-check, or to inquire about wholesale calendar rates for 10+ copies, please send an email to: squeezeboxgoddess@gmail.com For more information: accordionpinupcalendar@gmail.com |
November Accordion Eventsby Rita Barnea |
| When arranging your accordion travels for November, please consider the following events. Detailed information about them is available in the October www.accordionusa.com news. 1. Tribute and Scholarship Festival Honoring Tony Dannon on November 4 th in Michigan. 2. Florida Smash November 9-11 3. November 3rd Workshops With Joan Grauman in Williamsburg, Virginia 4. Celebrate National Accordion Month at Acme Accordion School on November 4th in NJ You can also find information on any accordion topics or events that interest you by using the search engine which is located on the top of the left hand column of the News each month. All news articles are archived and can easily be found. This is a quick way to find previous articles on specific topics. |
Spokane Accordion Club “Squeezin and Pleezin” Newsletterby Griff Ziegler |
| Spokane Accordion Club “Squeezin and Pleezin” Newsletter editor Griff Ziegler wrote: I will soon be starting up the newsletter again……………. This time without the near fatal battle with Hunta virus. As much as the “Squeezin and Pleezin” newsletter is a worldwide read publication, I was thinking that other clubs, other accordion festivals, other accordion events, could send me photos so I can promote you club, your festival, your event. If you have photos to share, send them to me at: griffbz@gmail.com. I will sort thru, and will place as many as I have room for. Here’s your opportunity to brag on behalf of your club. Let the world see what you’re doing! Keep Squeezin and Pleezin……………….. |
Accordion Pops Orchestra Press Releaseby Al Terzo |
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Future events |
New England Roland Concert & Christmas Workshop, Springfield, Mass.by Rita Barnea |
  Falcetti Music is happy to announce the appearance of Ollie Luey (picture left), the 2012 Roland Junior Division 1st place winner from Dover, Ma. Ollie will be performing segments of her winning program on the Roland FR3X. Also performing will be Melissa Fernandes, a member of the Stratford, Ct. Folklore Group. She has chosen a program of Portuguese and Brazilian Folk Music and will perform on the Roland FR18D. Stanley Midura from Gilbertsville, Ma. will present his part of the program with selections on his new Roland FR1X. He will be followed by Jim Avedesian, from Milford, Ma., Vice President of the Mass. Accordion Association, who will demonstrate some of the new Accordion Orchestra expansion sets on his FR7X. The workshop portion of the event will be presented by Sam Falcetti, founder of Falcetti Music and the topic will be “What to use for the best Orchestral Sounds and Creative Left Hand Ideas for Christmas Carols and Holiday Pop Songs”. He will also include a demonstration on playing along with a Christmas Audio Track on the Roland V accordions. David Sullivan from Norwood, Ma. will show the versatility of the Roland FR7X with the use of drum & percussion effects on Christmas Pop Music. Ending the program will be Guyde Lombari from Providence, R.I. who will present several rhythm styles to use with Christmas music on his FR7 with the BK7M module. DATE: Sunday, November 4, 2012 TIME: 1:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. PLACE: Falcetti Music, 1755 Boston Rd., Springfield, Mass. 01129 CONTACT INFORMATION: email “peggyf1944@gmail.com phone: 1413596-6940 |
Accordionaires Orchestra Concerts, LAby Rita Barnea |
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 The Accordionaires Orchestra Pops Concert will take place on November 13th at 7 pm at Victorio's Ristorante, 10901 Victory Blvd (at Vineland), North Hollywood, CA. (818-762-9000). The concert is in a cabaret setting which includes dinner. The Accordionaires Orchestra is one of the largest accordion orchestras on the west coast and consists entirely of accordions and percussion instruments. The orchestra performs a repertoire of light classical, Broadway, Big Band and popular music. Conductor Janet Hane took over the baton in 2005 after the death of her husband, Carl. On Sunday, December 9th at 5 pm, the Accordionaires Orchestra will perform at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley under the wings of Air Force One. This is an annual event at the Library called, "Holiday on the Hill" featuring wonderful holiday performers, magnificent music and tours of the new "Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives". The music selected for the Accordionaires will highlight the Holiday and Disney-themed event. There will also be a Christmas tree exhibit of 25 decorated trees. About seven hundred guests are expected. Janet Hane, accordion performer and teacher is the conductor of The Accordionaires Orchestra. Currently residing in Westlake Village, California, Janet is busy with a continuous schedule of professional solo appearances, private lessons and master classes. For further information email: accordionconnect@sbcglobal.net |
Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra on December 1stby Rita Barnea |
 The Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra (WPAO) will perform a Free Concert 2:00 PM Saturday, December 1, 2012. This concert is sponsored by and will be held in the William G. Rohrer Library on MacArthur Blvd, Haddon Township, NJ 08108. Attend this unique concert presented by the Haddon Township Branch of the Camden County Library System.The program will present the accordion through many of its popular genre, but most especially in the area of Symphonic Literature written exclusively for accordion orchestra. Included in the program will be the Symphonic Tone Poem by Gerhard Mohr, entitled "Nordische Sonate", a three-movement tone poem describing the beautiful landscape of Germany. Concerto Soloist, Robert Lijana, will be featured in one of the very first concertos written for exclusively for Accordion and Accordion Orchestra. Also included in the program will be "In a Persian Market" by W. Ketelby, Aria by JS Bach, and Force of Destiny Overture by the famous opera composer Verdi. In a different style, the orchestra will perform a Medley from Grease. This is only a sampling of what the orchestra is capable of sharing. During the intermission, there will be a special “see and touch” presentation for children. Small child-size instruments will be available for them to experience. A display of current and historical instruments will be available for all to see. This display will include instruments that date back to an 1833 accordion from Paris and will have instruments from the various developmental periods of the accordion. The WPAO is an accordion ensemble that is devoted to performing music of great masters as well as ethnic, original, and popular compositions. The ensemble achieves a symphonic sound by the use of multiple reed registers and accordionists performing individual parts, much like a symphony orchestra. In 1976 and 1992, the orchestra was recognized as a Community Orchestra of Haddon Township. This ensemble has added significantly to the cultural aspects of Haddon Township, NJ. Please attend with your family and friends. It will be an exciting and informative afternoon. For additional details about this concert please call 856-854-2752 (Haddon Township Library) or 856-854-6628. For more information about the orchestra: www.wpao.org |
New Hampshire Accordion Assoc. Celebrates St Patrick's Day, November 17thby Donna Regis |
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| Chris Brinn came to the United States 17 years ago from Cornwall in Southwest England. He now lives in Searsmont, Maine with his wife Carol and son Declan. Chris has been playing piano accordion for over 25 years, specializing in Irish music and the dance tunes and songs of his home county. His connection with Ireland stems from his grandfather, who was born in Wicklow and raised in Dublin. Since coming to America, Chris has immersed himself in traditional Irish and Irish-American music. He states that he is "heavily influenced by such masters as Jimmy Keane, Phil Cunningham, Joe Derrane, and Sharon Shannon, to name a few." Before moving to Maine, Chris spent four years on the West Coast living in Seattle and Spokane, where he gained valuable experience in the traditional music scene in those cities. Since taking up residence on the East Coast, Chris Brinn has placed first in the All Ireland qualifier in New York and has been part of several Irish-American bands. NHAA is delighted to present Chris Brinn in a performance of traditional music on November 17, 2012. All are welcome to attend free of charge. |
Wurstfest is coming!!!!!! , New Braunfels, Texasby Harley Jones |
 Alex Meixner writes: 'Yes, it’s finally almost here!! The biggest festival of the year for The Mighty Alex Meixner Band--- hope y’all are ready for the three ring circus, because we’re all psyched up and ready to polka our brains out!!'The Wurstfest is held at Landa Park, 120 Landa St, New Braunfels. November 2nd Friday 3pm-12am November 3rd Saturday 1pm-1am November 4th Sunday 3pm-10pm November 9th Friday 5pm-12am November 10th Saturday 6pm-1am For further information email: info@wurstfest.com |
John Simkus to Perform for Chicago Accordion Clubby Rita Barnea |
 Accordionist John Simkus will be the featured artist at the Chicago Accordion Club on November 19, 2012 at 6:30 pm. The concert takes place at the Elmhurst American Legion Hall, 310 West Butterfirled Road, Elmhurst, Illinois. Tickets are $10.00.John Simkus is a well known jazz accordionist who has performed all over the USA and Europe, at festivals and workshops. He often performs duets with Stas Venglevski. Their group is known as Stas Sera. He also plays bass accordion in accordion orchestras at festivals throughout the USA. Recognized for his smooth jazz style throughout the United States. He has performed solo, as a member of his jazz trio, and in orchestras both nationally and internationally. He currently performs in duet with Stas Venglevski in the US and Europe The Duo Sta-Sera was invited to perform twice at the prestigious Russian Academy of Music in Moscow . John also performed with the University of Kansas City , Missouri Accordion Orchestra during their last tour in Italy. He served as President of the Chicago Accordion Club for 10 years and on the boards for the Accordionists and Teacher’s Guild and American Accordionist Association. John has presented workshops on jazz theory, performance presentation and orchestra preparation at national accordion conventions and served as Concert Master at Galla-Rini music conferences. With his trio he has performed at many of Chicago’s popular hotels, clubs and country clubs . The Chicago Accordion Club is dedicated to fans of accordions and accordion music everywhere. Membership is not required to attend, dress is casual and pizza is served. Doors open at 6 pm, pre-meeting music is at 6:30 PM, membership meeting is at 7:30 pm and the main act takes the stage at 8 pm. The purpose of the non-profit social organization has always been to stimulate a positive attitude towards the performance of music on the accordion by strengthening relationships with fellow musicians, expanding knowledge of the accordion and accordion playing, and developing a publicity program to acquaint the general public with the educational and entertainment values of the accordion. For further information: 630-833-7800 |
Next Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) Meeting, NYby Dominic Karcic |
 The next meeting of the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) is Tues., Nov. 6th - 7p.m. at:La Villini Restaurant 288 Larkfield Road. East Northport, NY 11731 631 261 6344 The featured guest artist is John Custie (picture left). John Custie has been an active professional in the music industry for more than thirty years. John’s performances include private and corporate functions, broadway productions, concerts, recording sessions, radio and TV appearances. His performances include a wide variety of styles, from Bach to Rock, Contemporary Pop to Jazz, Rhythm n’ Blues, and a wide array of Latin and World music. John Custie has recorded or performed with local and international celebrities and besides performing, is an active arranger and composer, teaches accordion and piano privately, and is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), and is a member of The Northbrookhaven Chamber of Commerce. For further information, email Dominic Karcic: dkarcic10@verizon.net |
Official Trailer for 'This Is My Country. Twin Fiddles & Accordion' - USAby Harley Jones |
| Mutt Productions presents this trailer for the World Premiere of 'This Is My Country. Twin Fiddles & Accordion' directed by Aaron Lee Lopez & Brandon Keropian Olmos. This documentary "takes a look at Latino musicians and the effects of their music on the Country music scene and beyond". The documentary features: Augie Meyers, Flaco Jimenez, Carlos Alvarez, Sunny Sauceda, Ruben Ramos, Rudy Sarzo, Michael Salgado, Bobby Pulido, Patricia Vonne, Rick Orozco, Gabe Garcia, Edward James Olmos, The Bellamy Brother, Larry Beaird, Rich Redmond |
Gaucho Gypsy Jazz Sextet heads East!by Harley Jones |
 Dave Ricketts (guitar), Ari Munkres (bass) and Rob Reich (accordion) will be bringing the Gaucho sound to Baltimore and NYC for a handful of gigs. Hopefully the power will be back on by then! Please pass this along to your East Coast friends! Saturday 10 Nov, 2pm - Gypsy Jazz Workshop, 8pm - Concert, Relay Town Hall, 1710 Arlington Ave, Relay, MD. Sunday 11 Nov - 2pm, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 1900 St Paul St, Baltimore. Monday 12 Nov - 8:30pm, Barbes, 376 9th St, Brooklyn. Tuesday 13 Nov - 6pm, Ost Cafe, 441 E 12th Street, Manhattan. Thursday 15 Nov - 9pm, Jalopy, 315 Columbia St, Brooklyn. Friday 16 Nov - 9pm, Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn. Solo Accordion at Divine Cafe Monday Nov 5 7-9pm Monday Nov 19, 7-9pm Gaucho, a gypsy jazz sextet, was formed in 2002. The lineup consists of Dave Ricketts & Michael Groh on guitars, Ari Munkres on standup bass, Rob Reich on accordion, Ralph Carney on horns, and Beth Goodfellow on drums & percussion. On occasion, guest artists bring their own spice to the mix. While we base much of our repertoire in the music of Django Reinhart and the gypsy jazz of 1930's Europe, we also find inspiration in the rhythmic drive and collective improvisation of New Orleans swing music and the “gut bucket” sound. Gaucho is a first-rate ensemble, playing the music we love with boundless energy, passion, and humor. |