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U.S. National Accordion News - 01-Oct-2010
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Titano Accordion Company

Highlights

Editorial
Breaking News - Charles Nunzio Passes Away - USA -Memorial Service Details
Breaking News - Arlene Boddicker Passes Away - USA
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USA
Roland U.S. V-Accordion Festival, Los Angeles
Interview of Christopher Gorton, Roland USA Winner
Stas Venglevski & John Simkus Concert at Chicago Accordion Club
Debra Peters to Perform at the 2010 International Accordion Festival
2010 International Accordion Festival: Oct. 15-17 in Texas
Los Palominos- Grammy Award Winning Conjunto Group
Eddie Monteiro at Shanghai Jazz Club
Flexible Orchestra features 7 Accordions with Guy Klucevsek
Dr.Robert McMahan to Perform at TCNJ Concert

Voci Armoniche

Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc.

9th Annual Polka Mass with Jay Landers
Dr.Schimmel's Fall Tour Schedule
Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA)

Pigini USA distributor Ernest Deffner

Future events

AAA 2011 Festival in South Carolina
Arizona Accordion Club : Featured on CBS Plus More!
Jeffrey Iacono to Perform at The Big Squeeze on October 10

Over 2,100 titles of eSheet music, sent to you by email, secure server bank online payment

CD Reviews

The Ten Most Celebrated Accordionists’ of All Time
Zevy Zions "Dizzy Accordion"


PANcordion

Highlights


Accordion Repairs Made Easy by John Reuther

Editorial

by Rita Barnea
We are told that the accordion is coming back. Why say that?

The accordion is and always has been.........HERE!

We are more aware of it today, perhaps because of the new technologies in communications.

The accordion is here, there , and everywhere.

You will learn where simply by reading the October www.accordionusa.com news.

There are festivals, accordions on CBS TV news, exciting competitions, accordions in jazz clubs, and even a new accordion club!! And much more, waiting to be discovered..........but it is HERE NOW!

Let's find out this month about all that is going on .........and then...........why don't you just go?

The Ins and Outs of the Accordion by famous accordion repairer and tuner Thierry Benetoux

Breaking News - Charles Nunzio Passes Away - USA -Memorial Service Details

by Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador
Charles NunzioAccordionist and teacher Charles Nunzio, the last surviving founding member of the American Accordionists Association passed away on October 17, 2010.

A native of Cattafi, Italy, Charles immigrated to America at age eight in 1921. His family lived in Newark, New Jersey and in order to continue his accordion study with Frank Umbriaco in New York City, Charles and his father would travel for 2 hours every Sunday morning.

A well known composer, artist and teacher, his own advanced study was with Pietro Frosini. He would sub on radio programs for Pietro Deiro, Charles Magnante, Joe Biviano and Frosini. At one time in the 1930's, Charles would do as many as 35 radio programs in a week, plus maintain his teaching schedule and evening appearances with orchestras.

In 1938 Charles Nunzio became a founding Board member of the American Accordionists Association along with Pietro Frosini, Abe Goldman, Sydney Dawson, Anthony Galla-Rini, Charles Magnante, Pietro Deiro, Gene Von Hallberg, Joe Biviano, John Gart, Sam Roland and Byron Streep.

A visitation and a memorial service will be held at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.

The visitation will be Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, 5-7 p.m.
The memorial service will be Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010 at 11 a.m.

For directions or more information call the funeral home at 908-766-0250 or on their website:

http://gcfuneralhome.com/

Titano Accordion Company

Breaking News - Arlene Boddicker Passes Away - USA

by Kevin Friedrich, CIA Ambassador
Accordion artist, teacher and former President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International Arlene Boddicker passed away on October 17, aged 81.

Arlene began teaching accordion in 1946, and in 1948 she and her husband, Jerry, established the Boddicker Schools of Accordion throughout Iowa. Later, the name was changed to Boddicker School of Music and offered instruction on all instruments. Teaching more than 1,600 students a year, the music schools employed more than 60 teachers and staff.

During her career, Arlene taught many accordionists, toured in both the USA and abroad with her accordion orchestras and adjudicated and presented workshops at various accordion festivals.

A memorial Mass will be held at 8 a.m. Sunday, November 21, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 120 Fifth St. SW, Cedar Rapids. A celebration of life will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. November 21 at the Ponderosa Ballroom in Walford.

Voci Armoniche

Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USA

by Heather Masefield, Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival
Paul PasqualiNewsletter cover, Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion FestivalI 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.
Footer Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival

Accordion Jazz Chords

Roland U.S. V-Accordion Festival, Los Angeles

by Steven Albini, Roland US
Above: Christopher Gorton, Lower photo: Andre Fry
Roland logoOn September 18th, Roland U.S. held their V-Accordion Festival in conjunction with the 4th Roland International V-Accordion® Festival.

The event was hosted at the Roland U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles, CA. Roland Corporation U.S. is proud to announce the winners of the Roland U.S. V-Accordion Festival.

The winner of the junior division is Andre Fry of Annapolis MD - picture above lower. Andre won a Roland V-Accordion FR-3X. In July, Andre won the 2010 AAA’s Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition, Junior Division, with his composition “Czardas.”


The winner of the senior division is Christopher Gorton of Providence, RI - picture Top. Christopher won a Roland V-Accordion FR-7X and will go on to represent the U.S. at the fourth international V-Accordion Festival in Rome, Italy on October 16, 2010.

This year we also instituted a Ron Lankford Outstanding Performance Memorial Award. This award was presented by Ron's widow Faith Lankford to junior finalist Hannah Robbins of Elm Creek, NE.

The senior division second place winner was Svetlana Ivanchenko of Dallas, TX. and the junior division second place winner was Johan Richard Knoff of Randolf, VT.

Besides the excellent performances from the finalists, Joe Natoli performed an outstanding version of Waltz for Ron. This was part of a very moving tribute to the late Ron Lankford.

Sergio Scappini gave an amazing final performance to round off the festival. Sergio performed as pictures of Italy moved across the screens in Roland U.S.'s media center. His performance of famous opera arias ending with Nessun Dorma made a musical impact. This was truly an outstanding festival.

Steven Albini
steven.albini@rolandus.com
Roland U.S.

PANcordion

Interview of Christopher Gorton, Roland USA Winner

by Rita Barnea
Christopher GortonCelebrity Interview with Christopher Gorton the September 18th winner of the Roland U.S. V-Accordion Festival held in conjunction with the 4th Roland International V-Accordion® Festival.

The event was hosted at the Roland U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles, CA. Roland Corporation.

The winner of the senior division is Christopher Gorton of Providence, RI. Christopher won a Roland V-Accordion FR-7X and will go on to represent the U.S. at the fourth international V-Accordion Festival in Rome, Italy on October 16, 2010.

Q. We will start at the beginning. Where were you born?
A. Providence, Rhode Island. I am 25 years old.

Q. What are your most vivid memories from your childhood?
A.I remember competing in the accordion competitions beginning at age 7. I remember winning my first trophies. Of course, I liked sports and bike riding. My mom would lock me in my room to practice at least 1-2 hours a day. She would make sure I practiced. My grandmother would time my breaks with an egg timer. Every time I stopped, she would add up the minutes and I had to make it up. So a one hour practice could be two or more.

Q. Why is it that you began to play the accordion?
My music teacher, Bob Paolo, would recruit students from the local Catholic schools. A flyer was sent home asking “Do you want to learn music? "It didn’t say anything about the accordion. My mom thought it was about the piano or violin but it was about the accordion. She said “Why don’t you try the accordion?" And I did and enjoyed winning competitions at ages 7, 8, and 9. I won first place all three years and moved up to the higher levels. From the beginning I was always winning and I became more interested as I was recognized for having a talent for the accordion.

Q. Who were your music teachers?
Bob Paolo was my only music teacher and I still study with him. He helped me get ready for the AAA Competition where I won the Carmen Carrozza Division.

Q. Have you any other family and are they musicians?
A. I have an older brother, an older sister, and a younger brother. I am the only one and the first one who plays an instrument. My parents didn’t and neither did my siblings. Later my parents made my brother take accordion lessons. Then my parents began accordion lessons. We all studied with Bob Paolo. I have a photo of the four of us with our accordions in the local newpaper!

Q. At what age did you begin to learn the accordion?
A. I was seven years old.

Q. Do you play any other instruments and if so, what?
I do not play any other instruments. The reason is that I want to completely master the accordion. It is an instrument which requires much practice and study.

Q. What is your education?
A. I went to Classical High School in Providence, one of the best high schools in the state. After high school, I worked in the restaurant business for a few years. Then I went to the Community College of Rhode Island where I got my Associates Degree in Business. Right now I am going to Rhode Island College where I am a senior working toward my Bachelors Degree in Computer Information Systems which is a growing field.

Q. Do you have any favorite pieces of music?
Yes, I am a big fan of Classical Music. I play Jazz, Italian, a little bit of everything.I like all kinds of music but my favorite is more specifically, the Baroque period. I like Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel. My favorite composer is Vivaldi. I am actually learning his “Four Seasons” now. I found a transcription for bayan accordion which I am adapting to my accordion. I am playing “Winter” and “Summer” right now. I would like to learn the entire “Four Seasons”. I enjoy playing Classical Music, working on interpretation and always finding a richness there.

Q. Have you ever played in an orchestra or an ensemble?
A. Yes, in December 2009, I performed Vivaldi’s “Winter” with the Brockton Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts conducted by Dr. Emilian Badea. It was a major event for me. I also performed it with the AAA Festival Accordion Orchestra in July 2010 in Harrlsburg.

Q.Have you done any composing?
No, not yet. One day I would like to compose a contemporary piece of music. I will need training but I would like to get into composing in the future. I am a big fan of the compositions for bayan

Q. How long do you usually practice?
A. I practice 5 or 6 hours a day when I am preparing for competitions. Now that I am getting ready for the Roland competition, I practice 5-6 hours a day. Steve Albini, Roland USA, worked with me this week to help me get ready for the Roland competition. He has been a phenomenal help to me. He showed me how to use the Roland and it sounds great. There is so much the Roland can do. It is an amazing instrument. I am very lucky that Steve was able to come to Providence to help me. It is a really cool and versatile instrument.

Q. Do you have any special practice routines?
A. Every day I play all the major scales with different touches. Arpeggios, Stretching exercises. I also try to learn what the Coupe Mondiale contestants do.

Q. Do you have interests apart from music?
I am a big fan of boxing. I have been boxing for 5 years. I would train every day. I also like to fix things. I fix cars, old accordions. I can do accordion repairs.

Q. What are your plans for the future?
Music has become more important than ever for me. I was going to school full time, but now I am busy practicing and getting ready for the Roland competitions. I am practicing and hope to win and go on to the Coupe Mondiale. I am very grateful to the Roland Competition for giving me this wonderful opportunity to represent the USA at the fourth international V-Accordion Festival in Rome, Italy on October 16, 2010. Roland is bringing the accordion back. It is such a cool instrument.

Thank you for agreeing to the interview today. On behalf of www.accordions.com Accordions Worldwide and www.accordionusa.com, I would like to congratulate you on your winning the USA Roland Competition and we wish you good luck in Rome!
Rita Davidson, editor of www.accordionusa.com

Gary Dahl eSheet music, sent by email, secure bank server system

Stas Venglevski & John Simkus Concert at Chicago Accordion Club

by Rita Barnea
Stas Venglevski and John SimkusThe Chicago Accordion Club will present Stas Venglevski, John Simkus and French Chanteuse, Robin Pluer on October 18th at 8:00 PM at the Elmhurst American Legion Hall, 310 West Butterfield Road, Elmhurst, Illinois.

Stas’s artistry, dazzling technical command, and sensitivity have brought "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.

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 a regular participant of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Arts in Community Education Program (ACE); has done television commercials and performed in theater productions; produced numerous recordings including transcription of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite for bayan as well as one of original compositions. He has published several books of original compositions.

Stas also performs as a member of the A Sta_Sera Duo where he combines talents with accordionist, John Simkus, known primarily for his smooth jazz renditions.

Their musical partnership has resulted in a unique repertoire and as a duo they have toured the United States and Europe extensively and collaborated on a CD of original compositions, Seasonings. Additionally, Stas demonstrates his versatility performing regularly with his Irish friends Leahy's Luck.

Stas is a past President of the prestigious Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) which was established in 1940 with the purpose of furthering the progress of the accordion by improving teaching standards, music, and all phases of music education. The ATG is a member of the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA) International Music Council (IMC-NESCO) which holds an annual competition and festival in various cities around the United States.

The Chicago Accordion Club is dedicated to the wonderful fans of all varieties of accordions and accordion music in Chicagoland and around the world.

Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at the Elmhurst American Legion Hall,
310 W. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst, Illinois 60126.
The phone at the hall is 630-833-7800.

You do not have to be a member to attend.
Member admission is $10 with pizza. Non-members pay $13 including pizza.Dress is casual. All ages are welcome.
Doors open at 6 P.M. Pre-meeting music begins at 6:30.
A membership meeting is held at 7:30.The main act takes the stage at 8 P.M.Pizza is served shortly after 9 P.M.

For further information on the Oct.18th concert:
stasvenglevski@sbcglobal.net

Pigini USA distributor Ernest Deffner

Debra Peters to Perform at the 2010 International Accordion Festival

by Rita Barnea
Debra PetersDebra Peters will play at the 2010 International Accordion Festival to be held from October 15- 17 at La Villita, San Antonio, Texas. Her performance is on Sunday, October 17th from 3-4 PM. Admission is free.La Villita Historic Arts Village, is located in downtown San Antonio, Texas at South Alamo St. at E. Nueva.

The way Debra Peters plays classic country, zydeco, and Tex-mex on her accordion - squeezing the bellows as easy as she breathes - it's clear that although Canada might be where she was born, Austin, Texas is her home. A songwriter, singer, pianist, and accordion teacher, it's fair to call Peters an "Austin Original."

Having shared the stage with some of the finest representatives of Texas music - Valerio Longoria, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Pinetop Perkins, and many, many, more - it's no surprise that Peters leads one of the best honky-tonk groups in town, The Love Saints.

Weekly residents at the legendary dance hall, The Broken Spoke, Debra Peters & the Love Saints play the perfect mix of country-blues-western swing-roots rock-swamp pop to get your boots scootin' and your heart strings pulled. With accordion skills and sweet country twang, it’s no wonder Peters has earned a reputation as "The Squeezebox Chanteuse of the Lone Star State."

Debra is also one of the very few accordion teachers in Austin Texas. She has created three accordion instructional DVD’s, “The ABC’s of Accordion Basics” and a booklet that comes with Vol.3 (BASS PATTERNS) which can also be purchased separately.

On Sunday, October 17th, from 4:30-5:30 PM Debra will present a workshop called “Want to play the accordion but don't know where to start?” Learn the ABC's in this session of blues basics with Debra Peters.

For further information: debra@debrapetersmusic.com

James O'Brien eSheet music, emailed to you, secure bank server

2010 International Accordion Festival: Oct. 15-17 in Texas

by Rita Barnea
2010 International Accordion Festival
The schedule for 2010 International Accordion Festival includes a fantastic array of musicians from across the globe and Texas. This year the programs will take place on the amazing Arneson Riverwalk Stage in San Antonio, Texas. For three days and nights, San Antonio's River Walk will ring with accordion music! Also featured will be exclusive workshops from master musicians on the Bolivar stage.

Artists will perform on only one day in 2010, so don't miss your chance! Celebrate San Antonio's love of the accordion and be there for this annual all-star celebration.

All events are free. The following is the schedule of workshops. Make sure you attend.
Workshop Schedule at Bolivar Hall
Saturday, October 16:
[2:00PM - 3:00PM] Solas
Explore the intricacies of traditional Irish tunes with these Celtic music masters: accordionist Mick McAuley, fiddler Winifred Horan, and multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan.

[3:15PM - 4:15PM] Jesse Lege and Joel Savoy
Cajun and Country meet at the fais do-do with accordionist Lege and fiddle prodigy Joel Savoy.

[4:30PM - 5:30PM] Los Pistoleros de Texas
Roberto Rodriguez plays accordion Gulf Coast style. See how Conjunto, Country, Cajun, Blues, and Rock and Roll all get mixed up into this truly Texan tradition.

[5:45PM - 6:45PM] Copper Box
Danny and Michelle Jarebek get back to the roots of their eclectic sound with the polkas, waltzes, and schottiches they love so much.

[7:00PM - 8:00PM] Open Mic
Bring an instrument and join in the fun!

Sunday, October 17
[2:00PM - 3:00PM] Socalled
Traditional klezmer transformed through urban beats. Learn how Socalled turns his improbable vision into fascinating music.

[3:15PM - 4:15PM] 1001 Nights Orchestra
Discover the beautiful diversity of the Middle East on a melodic journey of song. With traditional instrumentation, 1001 Nights takes a trip across the globe.

[4:30PM - 5:30PM] Debra Peters
Want to play the accordion but don't know where to start? Learn the ABC's in this session of blues basics with Debra Peters.

[5:45PM - 6:45PM] Geno Delafose
Creole culture straight from the source. Geno Delafose shares stories and songs from the life of a Creole cowboy.

For further information: staff@internationalaccordionfestival.org

The Art of Playing the Accordion Artistically by Friedrich Lips

Los Palominos- Grammy Award Winning Conjunto Group

by Rita Barnea
Los Palominos are a Grammy-Award Winning Conjunto Regional Group who will perform on the 2010 International Accordion Festival in San Antonio, Texas taking place from October 15-17.

Their performance will be on Friday, October 15, on the Arneson River Stage from 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Admission is free.

Music runs deep in the Arreola family. Reared in Uvalde, Texes, two hours from the border, the four Arreola brothers learned to play music from their father. By 1986, they were appearing regularly across Texas as Los Tremendos Pequeños - Johnny on accordion, James on the bajo sexto, Jesse on the drums, and George on bass.

After a show in Kerrville, Texas, the Arreola brothers were approached by Arrmando "Mando" Lichtenberger, Jr. and Oscar De La Rosa of La Mafia. A demo recorded by Lichtenberger soon led to a contract with Sony Discos. In 1994, Los Palominos first album, Corazon de Cristal, quickly went gold. Making a name for themselves as a norteño band from Texas, Los Palominos were recognized both for their mastery of musica regional mexicana and their crisp conjunto sound.

Since then, they have gone on perform for enthusiastic crowds in the US and Mexico. Their down-home attitude accompanied by the bajo sexto and accordion-fueled overdrive has led Los Palominos to multiple gold and platinum records and three Grammy awards. With a sound all their own, Los Palominos generate renewed interest in regional conjunto, launching into polkas and rancheras along with sweet bolero-styled ballads and unforgettable cumbias.

Changing the face of conjunto while charging southward into norteño turf, Los Palominos produce music that crosses generations. The four brothers from Uvalde continue to carve out their place in Texas music history.

For more information: staff@internationalaccordionfestival.org

Titano Accordion Company

Eddie Monteiro at Shanghai Jazz Club

by Rita Barnea
Eddie MonteiroWorld renowned accordion jazz virtuoso, Eddie Monteiro, will appear with Dave Meade on Drums and Warren Vaché on Cornet at Shanghai Jazz in Madison, NJ on Wednesday, October 6, from 7:00 - 10:00 PM. Do not miss the opportunity of hearing Eddie perform.

Eddie is an AAA Board Member and an outstanding music teacher in New Jersey, who incorporates the use of the accordion in his daily teaching activities. Eddie is also a featured Roland accordion demonstrator and is a judge at the USA Roland Competition in LA each year.

Shanghai Jazz opened in October 1995 and has been named "One of the Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World." The restaurant has earned rave reviews for their food, service and ambience from the New York Times, Star Ledger, Zagat Survey and Inside New Jersey.

Their philosophy is warm hospitality, gourmet Asian cuisine inspired by the seasons, a well-focused wine list and a full bar with almost a dozen beers on tap, including our own micro-brew Shanghai Jazz Ale. And of course exceptional value. World class artists showcase their talents 6 nights a week with no music charge except for special events.

Owners Martha Chang and David Niu returned to Martha's hometown of Madison, New Jersey after traveling, working and studying in Asia with the aid of a Fulbright fellowship. Inspired by Shanghai in the 1920s and 30s, when it was known as the "Paris of the Orient," they have sought to create a jazz club infused with "Jazz and Joy."

Shanghai Jazz is located at 24 Main Street, Madison, NJ. The phone number is 973.822.2899. For further information: info@shanghaijazz.com

Larry Malmberg eSheet music, sent by email, secure bank server

Flexible Orchestra features 7 Accordions with Guy Klucevsek

by Rita Barnea
The SoundArt Foundation presents the Flexible Orchestra, in a new orchestration, Oct.28, Thursday at 8:30 PM at the Ukrainian Restaurant, Ballroom, 140 Second Av. @ 9th St. Tickets are $15/10. N/R/L/6 Subway lines. For more info: dsgoode@earthlink.net or call 212-925-6684.

The Flexible Orchestra, an acoustic ensemble that sounds bigger than its size, rotates its instrumentation every two years. This time it's: SEVEN ACCORDIONS, THREE STRINGS, playing a concert of four commissioned compositions plus one revival.

Conducted once more by Tara Simoncic, the orchestra features lead accordionist/composer, Guy Klucevsek, fresh from his performances at the Whitney Museum. He'll lead a performance of his "Spinning Jennie" for seven accordions. The accordionists include Ingrid Kvale, Will Holshouser, Ron Oswanski, Kamala Sankaram, Nathan Koci, and Rocco Jerry.


The full orchestra will premier the concert version of Daniel Goode's one act opera, French Arithmetic with sopranos, Kamala Sankaram and Jessica Sabat, and with dance solo by Lonnie Poupard, Jr., choreographed by Jody Oberfelder, Goode's long-time collaborator in music theater shows.

Max Simoncic, distinguished composer and accordionist from California (incidentally the conductor's father!) will premier a set of three original and authentic tangos, accompanied by dance couples from New York's bustling "tango scene."

Jody Kruskal, concertina virtuoso, contra-dance musician and composer-performer with Gamelan Son of Lion, will solo in the premier of his Cutting an Easy Song: Three Dance Jigs for concertina and orchestra. He is one of the leading musicians in the 'anglo accordion' world.

Christian Wolff, composer-performer for years within the circle of the John Cage/Merce Cunningham company, will have his ACCORDIONISTS premiered for the full orchestra.

The setting is informal, the traditional Ukrainian Restaurant in the front (come early and eat), cash bar in the ballroom—is perfectly suited to this unique linking of new and experimental music with dance and new opera; accordions lead the way combined with violin, cello, and bass.

The versatile conductor, Ms. Simoncic has just become assistant conductor of the both the Harrisburg and Greenwich symphony orchestras, and recently become artistic director and conductor of the Norwalk Youth Orchestra. She has been the conductor of the Flexible Orchestra since its beginning in 2004.

Flexible Orchestra was founded in 2004 by composer/clarinetist, Daniel Goode. Through strategic instrumentation changed every two years it gives both the "big sound" and variety found in the full symphony orchestra with as few as fifteen (ten with the fulsome accordion sound). Previous Flexible Orchestras have featured: 12 cellos and three winds; 10 trombones with 2 clarinets, 2 contrabasses, piano and percussion; 11 flutes, viola, tuba, harpsichord, piano and voice.

The Flexible Orchestra principles:
1) It should sound like an orchestra. That means at least one—probably only one—section of multiples of a single instrumental type. And like an orchestra there are also different timbres from a few other instruments used both for contrast and emphasis.

2) It should have flexible orchestration, meaning it should change its section of multiples and the contrasting group of instruments every so often, let’s say every year or two, not every two hundred years (and more) as with the official Western orchestra.

3) It must be economical, that is, accomplish its sound concept at a reasonable cost. So if the Flexible Orchestra caps at fifteen players, there might be twelve for the section of multiples and three for the contrasting group; or perhaps eleven and four, etc.

4) Such a type of orchestra could spring up anywhere and make use of the instrumental strengths of a community or geographical area. Let’s say San Francisco proper has a surfeit of double basses, while the Peninsula has lots of violas… Cincinnati may have many trumpets. Those could be the multiples in each of these communities that make up cores of flexible orchestras in each place. [DG]

The orchestra is supported with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, the Cary Charitable Trust (with Meet the Composer), private foundations and contributors.

For more information: gklucevsek@si.rr.com

Gary Daverne CD's and eSheet music available online

Dr.Robert McMahan to Perform at TCNJ Concert

by Rita Barnea
Dr. Robert Young McMahanDr.Robert McMahan will perform Robert Baksa's Sonata for Accordion (1997; commissioned by the AAA) this Saturday evening, October 9, at 8:30 PM, in the annual Faculty Gala Concert in the Mayo Concert Hall, Music Building, The College of New Jersey.

Recently Princeton soprano Joy Bechtler and Dr.McMahan formed a duo performing Italian opera arias and other transcribed vocal music. Their "world premiere" was given this past Sunday afternoon in a concert held by the Belle Mead Friends of Music in Princeton where they performed arias by Alessandro Scarlatti, Durante, Bononcini, Gluck, and Paisiello. The audience was enthralled and delighted by the combination.

Dr.McMahan’s education includes:
D.M.A., Music Composition, Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, M.A., Liberal Arts, Great Books Program, St. John’s College, M.M., Music Composition, Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.B.M., Music Theory, Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

Dr.McMahan is Professor of Music at The College of New Jersey where he is also Area Coordinator of Music Theory, Composition, Ear Training, and Classical Accordion.

Prior to his appointment at TCNJ, Dr.McMahan taught Music Theory and related subjects at Towson University, Morgan State University, College of Notre Dame, Essex Community College, and the Peabody Preparatory School (of the Peabody Institute) where he was Head of the Theory Department and developed its curriculum. He also taught Classical Accordion at the Peabody Preparatory School and at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Dr. McMahan studied composition with Robert Hall Lewis, Jean Eichelberger Ivey, and Stefan Grove at the Peabody Institute. He received honors in composition there and awards in composition from the Annapolis Fine Arts Composers’ Competition and Contemporary Recording Society. In addition, he has received a number of Meet the Composer grants since 1996.

Dr. McMahan is a recognized authority on the American composer, Carl Ruggles, and has published articles in American Music, Sonneck Society Bulletin, New Grove Dictionary of Opera, and New Grove Dictionary of Music. He is presently working on a book on the life and works of Ruggles.

Dr. McMahan’s primary instrument is classical accordion, and he has tirelessly promoted the instrument in serious contemporary music throughout his career. He has been commissioned to write works for the accordion by various individuals and organizations, including the American Accordionists’ Association and the New York State Council on the Arts. He has recorded on the CRS and Orion labels and is published by Ernest Deffner Music.

During his years in the Baltimore area, Dr. McMahan was accordionist for the Baltimore Symphony, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Washington Ballet and American Ballet Orchestras (at the Kennedy Center), and for other cultural and performing organizations. He has performed under such notable conductors as Julius Rudel, Rob Fisher, Sarah Caldwell, Sergiu Comissiona, Gunther Schuller, Frederik Prausnitz, Murry Sidlin, bandleader Les Elgart, Leon Botstein, Leon Fleisher, and Peter Schickele, and with Sting, Georgia Brown, Maureen McGovern, Alvin Epstein, Boyd Gaines, and Theodore Bikel.

Besides his numerous published articles, Dr.McMahan has been featured in articles by others in Keyboard Magazine, The Music Connoisseur, High Fidelity, Who’s Who in American Composers: Classical, and several other highly regarded publications.

Dr.McMahan serves as a reader and table leader at the annual examinations readings of the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program for Music Theory and had been a reader for the Graduate Record Examination in Music Theory prior to its discontinuance. He is also Secretary of the AAA governing board and serves as the Chair of the AAA Composers Commissioning Committee.

4 Music Books by Stas Venglevski

Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc.


Amy Jo Sawyer CD titled According to Amy

9th Annual Polka Mass with Jay Landers

by Rita Barnea
From L to R: Theron Strike, pianist and Music Director at the church;drummer Phil Snow; on the right is tuba player Mike GoldbergJay Landers played the accordion for the August 9th Annual Polka Mass, part of the polka mass series at Grace Lutheran Church in Springfield, IL.

The origin of the mass goes back to a Catholic Priest in Minnesota in the 1970's. Father Frank Perkovich is the Catholic Priest who popularized the polka mass concept of the Roman Catholic worship service. With his Slovenian-Croatian ethnic origin, he utilized folk music and adapted hymn lyrics in English.

His first polka mass was May 5,1973 in the Resurrection Church in Eveleth, Minnesota in the heart of Minnesota's Iron Range where Ironworld USA is located. Father Frank has been inducted into the Ironworld USA Polka Hall of Fame, 1991 and the Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame, 1992. His polka mass was celebrated on the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican for Pope John Paul II in 1983.

The polka mass concept at Grace Lutheran Church includes some of the music created by Father Frank, and it digresses into adapting hymn lyrics to be sung to those popular polka melodies. Otherwise, the service in Springfield is a traditional Lutheran service with all the standard liturgical elements.

This service was introduced to Grace Lutheran Church and Springfield by Theron Strike, Music Director of the church, in 2002. It's now become a long-running annual series in August as part of the church's contemporary service schedule conducted at 5 PM on Saturdays.

Jay performed Prelude music to the service followed by the Offertory and Communion during the service. Some of the "traditional" hymns that were sung to "non-traditional melodies" included: “Faith of Our Fathers” - sung to “Blue Skirt Waltz”,“Bless the Lord” - sung to the “Lichtensteiner Polka”,“He Lives” and “Amazing Grace” - can be sung to “The Happy Wanderer”,“Come Now and Worship” - sung to the chorus of “Beer Barrel Polka”.

Jay’ solo selections in the service included:
“I Don't Care Polka” by Guido Deiro, “Bel Viso Polka” by Pietro Frosini,”Rhapsody Polka” by Pietro Deiro, “Hoop De Doo Polka”,”Tom's Polka” by Helene Criscio, “Pennsylvania” and “Beer Barrel Polkas Medley”,”Serenade of the Rose” waltz arr. by Gary Dahl,”Hi Lili Hi Lo” waltz arr. by Ron Ostromecki plus more.

Jay began accordion lessons in January, 1958, in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Jay has performed the accordion parts for "Cabaret", "Fiddler on the Roof", "The Baker's Wife" and "Spitfire Grill" in productions by Music Theatre Louisville, Springfield (IL) Muni Opera, Springfield Theatre Centre and Millikin University (Decatur, IL).

Jay continues to have an interesting and varied career.Presently,he teaches public speaking at Lincoln College. Most of Jay’s 38-year career has been in the non-profit sector, starting with 23 years in public radio FM station management at 4 state universities; a community arts organization; 2 national voluntary health organizations and he is currently Director of Development for Brother James Court. Jay plays a 2-hour program at Brother James Court every month for their birthday party after regular business hours.

Jay and his wife, Pat who plays tin whistle and sings, have performed authentic Celtic music since 1983 as a duo called Donnybrook. Jay and Pat made a CD in 2008, called "Smiling Eyes" dedicated to their late son, Ryan. Jay recorded a solo CD in 2003. A Celtic CD will be available soon.

For further information: Jay Landers jllanders5214@msn.com

Titano Accordion Company

Dr.Schimmel's Fall Tour Schedule

by Rita Barnea
Dr.William SchimmelDr. William Schimmel's busy fall tour includes the following:


October 1 – Joe's Pub – New York – Gay Marshall sings Piaf
October 9 – Hofstra University – Long Island, New York – Gay Marshall sing Piaf
October 22 - Kid's Eurofest – Washington DC – Finnish Embassy – with singer/flutist Ulla Soukko
October 23 - Kid's Eurofest – Washington DC – Finnish Embassy - with singer/flutist Ulla Soukko
October 24 - Kid's Eurofest – Washington DC - Finnish Embassy – with singer/flutist Ulla Soukko
October 28 – Cafe Sabarsky – New York – The Unsung Kurt Weill – with singer Lauren Flanigan
October 29 - Kid's Eurofest - Washington DC - Finnish Embassy - with singer/flutist Ulla Soukko
October 30 - Kid's Eurofest - Washington DC - Finnish Embassy - with singer/flutist Ulla Soukko
October 31 - Kid's Eurofest - Washington DC – Finnish Embassy – with singer/flutist Ulla Soukko
November 4 – recording of Jorge Martin's Ropa Vieja for Accordion, Cello and Percussion – American Academy of Arts and Letters – New York
November 5 - recording of Jorge Martin's Ropa Vieja for Accordion, Cello and Percussion – American Academy of Arts and Letters – New York
November 11 – performance and recording of In Vain by George Friedrich Haas with The Argento Ensemble – EMPAC – Troy, New York
November 12 - performance and recording of In Vain by George Friedrich Haas with The Argento Ensemble – EMPAC – Troy, New York
November 13 - performance and recording of In Vain by George Friedrich Haas with The Argento Ensemble – EMPAC – Troy, New York
Dr. Schimmel can be heard of the following new and recent CDS AND DVDS
Portrain in Seven Shades by Ted Nash – with The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra directed by Wynton Marsalis – JLCO Records – Schimmel appears as Guest Artist Soloist
Gay Marshall Sings Piaf - GM Records
Weatherwatch/Free Jazz – with Pianist Dr. Mark Birnbaum – IPS/STUDIO MUSE Records
Accordion/Piano/Piano/Accordion – IPS/STUDIO MUSE Records
Ever/Never – DVD – with Micki Goodman, director and choreographer – can be seen on www.billschimmel.com - and You Tube - an IPS/STUDIO MUSE Production
Soon to be released:
Accordion/Piano/Piano Accordion II - IPS/STUDIO MUSE Records
In Orbit – with Dr. Mark Birnbaum – IPS/STUDIO MUSE Records

William Schimmel is a virtuoso accordionist, author, philosopher and composer. He is one of the principle architects in the tango revival in America, the resurgence of the accordion and the philosophy of Musical Reality (composition with pre-existing music). He received his diploma from the Neupauer Conservatory of Music and his BM, MS and DMA degrees from the Juilliard School.

He has taught at the Juilliard School , Brooklyn College CUNY, Upsala College, New School University, Neupauer Conservatory (dean) and has lectured on accordion related subjects at Princeton , Columbia , Brandeis, University of Missouri , Duke University, Manhattan School of Music, the Graduate Center CUNY, Santa Clara University, The Janacek Conservatory in Ostrava, Czech Republic and at Microsoft.

He now heads the Neupauer Conservatory Order of the Shield program, a private studies program for gifted students on a graduate and post graduate level. He conducts a successful three day master class and concert series sponsored by the American Accordionists' Association.

The Confederations International of Accordionists has awarded Dr. Schimmel the distinguished merit award for the AAA Master Class and Concert Series as well as his contribution to the international accordion scene. He received the American Accordionists' Association Distinguished Service Award for Fifty Years of Accordion activity and his work as Lecturer in Residence. He is listed in Who's Who in America and Great Minds of the 21st Century.

Jeff Lisenby CD A Spy In Tortuga

Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA)

by Rita Barnea
LIAA members:Ruggiero, and MiJoe Campo, John Custie, Dominic Karcic, Ray Oreggia, Phil Prete, Franco Zeppetella.The second meeting of the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) on September 7 was a successful event that attracted many performing accordionists, accordion music lovers and two very talented female vocalists.

As in the previous meeting, all types of accordion music were played in addition to the singing of Adrienne Autovino, Penni Colter and accordionists/ vocalist Franco Ruggiero. The accordionists participating included Ruggiero, and MiJoe Campo, John Custie, Dominic Karcic, Ray Oreggia, Phil Prete, Franco ke Zeppetella.

The next “get together” will be on Tuesday, October 5th at 7PM at Campagnola Restaurant, 6546 Jericho Tpke.,Commack NY (Commack Corners Shopping Center)(631) 499-0088

If you play the accordion, please bring it and play. All are invited no matter what the level of capability. Get out those old solos and dust them off for a performance on October 5th.All who love the accordion are welcome to perform or listen.

Space is limited so please e-mail or call Dominic Karcic:
accordionman@optonline.net 631.864.4428

PANcordion

Future events


AAA 2011 Festival in South Carolina

by Rita Barnea
Joan Cochran SommersThe AAA will hold their 2011 Festival from July 13-17, 2011 at the Sheraton at Charleston Airport in Charleston, SC. There will be an International Accordion Orchestra Competition with cash awards. For details contact aaa1938@aol.com. Entries must be received by 2/28/2011.

The 2011 AAA Festival Coordinators are Mary Tokarski, Frank Busso and Linda Soley Reed.

Join them as the AAA honors Joan Cochran Sommers with the AAA’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

For details contact aaa1938@aol.com

The International Trio, CD Available online, secure server

Arizona Accordion Club : Featured on CBS Plus More!

by Rita Barnea
Front Row (l-r) Ted Lee, Pete Donatella, Jerry Szymanski. Back Row (l-r) Jack Dermody, Leigh Dechaine
The Arizona Accordion Club were special guests on the CBS 5 Morning News on September 29 to promote the Tempe Oktoberfest!

CBS 5 News Phoenix is a morning newscast that covers breaking news, developing stories across the valley and state of Arizona while interacting with their viewers.

The Arizona Accordion Festival will be held on October 16th, 12 PM to 10 PM at St. Luke‘s Catholic Church, 19644 North 7th Avenue ,Phoenix, Arizona. There will be a dance floor, food, beverages, and a carnival for the family and kids!

From 6—10 PM the special guests will be Joey Avilla and Los Valley Boys ! The Arizona Accordion Club Ensemble will also perform. Additional performers include: Elmer Faser, George Tissen, Jerry Szymanski, Chuck Voinovich, Paul Betkin,Rose Mary Smith,Lester Rossner, Jack Dermody, Zlatan Mameda, Ted Lee, Hurricajuns, Dennis Humlice, Frank Schweller , Pete Donatella, Az Dance Studio.

The Arizona Accordion Club meets at St. Stephen’s Hall, 8141 North 16th Street, Phoenix.(602) 997-4563 Come early for dinner and pre-meeting music starting at 5:30 PM on the third Monday of the month. Meetings begin at 6:30 PM.

The Arizona Accordion Club is a 501c non-profit corporation in the State of Arizona as of July 27, 1996. The purpose of the organization is 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 by developing a publicity program to acquaint the general public with the education and entertainment values of the accordion. The organization encourages members to perform solos and in ensemble with other accordionists and with other instruments.

For further information:
President Jack Dermody
azaccordionclub@cox.net
Phone: 602-237-5627

Pigini USA distributor Ernest Deffner

Jeffrey Iacono to Perform at The Big Squeeze on October 10

by Rita Barnea
Jeffrey Iacono will be one of the featured performers at The Big Squeeze, the 2nd Annual Orange County Accordion Festival, on October 10, 2010 at the Orange County Market Place in Costa Mesa.

Jeffrey has an unusual musical backround. He was a jazz singer and a heavy metal drummer who discovered the accordion before he unfortunately lost his voice in 2006.

He has performed the past two years in a live band at the 24 mile mark of the Orange County Marathon. The band consists of musicians who are from the Cosa Mesa area. The neighbors began the band in order to give the runners a musical boost of energy for their 26 mile run.

Jeffrey stands out in the lineup of The Big Squeeze for a few interesting reasons. Not only is he an accordion repair person, a very specialized job, but he is also the North American distributor for the Borsini accordion company, made by a family business that has handcrafted accordions since 1922. Iacono runs a repair, tuning and sales shop.

Iacono will be available at the Borsini booth at the Big Squeeze, providing information on the instrument as well as demonstrating a few models. He will also perform at 11 a.m. with guitarist Ron Anthony who played with Frank Sinatra for almost a decade and is subbing in for one of the Mile 24 musicians.

Iacono’s affiliation with Borsini began three years ago, when he and his wife traveled to Italy for their five-year wedding anniversary. Iacono had purchased his first accordion in 2006, a few months before he lost his voice due to the stress of his younger brother’s six-year battle with a rare form of cancer. He’d played gigs as an accordionist, and also launched a part-time business selling and buying used accordions.

It is interesting to note that the accordion came late in his career. Iacono’s first instrument was the drums, which he played in a Chicago-based band when he was just 13. He stayed with that band, which included his younger brother, through high school and for two years when he studied music at a community college. At that time, the band decided to head west to make it big in Los Angeles.

It was the mid-80s, and big-hair heavy metal bands were all the rage. Iacono’s band, Gun Shy, fit the mold, playing all the big LA nightspots, like The Roxy and The Whiskey, opening for such bands as Poison and LA Guns. They entertained for about 10 years but Iacono left the band when he realized the days of big-hair metal were coming to a close. By this time, he was also singing, and soon found his niche when a high school friend of his invited him to a wedding in Chicago.
 
“When I showed up, he asked me if I wanted to sing with the jazz ensemble playing at the wedding,” Iacono said. “I thought it was a joke at first. But I figured why not? And it worked. I hadn’t heard applause like that for a long time. So it got me thinking that I maybe I could sing jazz. 

He started playing gigs around Southern California and, in 2006 decided to record an independently produced solo album. “It had taken several years to establish myself because, in the jazz world, you have to prove yourself before anyone wants to work with you,” he said.           

Iacono apparently had proven himself; because the 18-piece band he was recording his album with was comprised largely of members of Frank Sinatra’s band. “They were some of the best jazz players in the world, and I was really fortunate,” he said. One of those musicians who he became friendly with was master accordion player Marocco.

Though the accordion was just an interest at the time, Iacono’s future as a jazz singer seemed to be very secure. But, Iacono’s brother, who had been diagnosed with cancer six years earlier, was declining rapidly. Six months before his brother died in July, 2007, the stress took its toll on Iacono: he developed spasmodic dysphonia, meaning he lost his ability to sing.

Unable to sing any longer, Iacono kept musically busy through playing the accordion at gigs and starting a small resale accordion business. Jeffrey has not given up on the possibility of singing again. His voice is recovering slowly and Iacono is confident he’ll be back on stage again, doing what he loves best: singing jazz. But when he does return, he will bring a deeper appreciation and perspective.

“When you’re young and doing music there’s an American Idol-like thing going on. You want to prove something to the world that you’re the best. And I was no different. I wanted to show everybody how great I was. But, now, I don’t care about being the best. I just love making music."

Iacono and his Mile 24 band are among 40 accordionists and musicians gathering to present the “squeeze box’s” cross cultural appeal and adaptability into a variety of music genres. They will play everything from Cajun, Zydeco, Tex-Mex and Irish to Jazz, Salsa and German.

Various accordion and music companies will demo their latest models including Borsini and Roland US. Open jam sessions, lessons and workshops will be included and the public can bring their accordions to participate in these activities. Free storage will be available. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and in conjunction with all of the swap meet activities at the O.C. Fair & Event Center

All entertainment and activities are included in admission, which is $2 or FREE with a canned food item donation for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Children 12 and under are always free. Free parking or preferred parking for $5. All stages include dance floors and plenty of seating.

For a more information and a complete schedule of the Big Squeeze call 949-723-6660. To contact Iacono, call (714) 269-8646

Over 2,100 titles of eSheet music, sent to you by email, secure server bank online payment

CD Reviews


The Ins and Outs of the Accordion by famous accordion repairer and tuner Thierry Benetoux

The Ten Most Celebrated Accordionists’ of All Time

by Rita Barnea
Emilio Magnotta and Dr.Joseph Ciccone are proud to present for the first time ever a one of a kind historical discography, including “The Ten Most Celebrated Accordionists’ of All Time”.

This musical compilation allows the listener to capture the true essence of the instrument and the artist. Featured on this CD are most of the founding members of the American Accordionists' Association. The pioneers………..Pietro Deiro, Pietro Frosini, Charles Magnante, Anthony Galla-Rini, Charles Nunzio, Guido Deiro, Daniel Desiderio, John Gart, and Joe Biviano.

Also featured is Carmen Carrozza, a past President and an active Governing Board member of the American Accordionists' Association.

The fore-mentioned artists, giants of the accordion world have inspired generations of accordionists and will continue to inspire future generations of accordionists to come.

This CD includes recordings from a rare private record collection belonging to Mr. Magnotta, given to him by Cliff Scholl, a student of Pietro Frosini. It consists of 16 inch transcription glass records of live recorcings of artists including: Frosini, P.Deiro, Nunzio, Galla-Rini, and Gart along with 78 rpm records of G. Deiro.

A valuable collection belonging to Dr. Ciccone which consists of 78 and 45 rpm records and reel to reel tape recordings of artists was also used including: Carrozza, Magnante, Desiderio and Biviano. Most of the tracks were recorded live. Eight of the tracks were recorded live by Cliff Scholl in the early 1940’s. Track 14, “Bolero Fantasia” composed by C. Nunzio were arranged by C. Nunzio for an accordion quintet and all parts were performed by C. Nunzio.

Minimal enhancement with modern technology was used for mastering this CD. This was done in order to maintain the true authenticity of the recordings spanning from the 1920’s through the 1960’s.

Cliff Scholl was involved in the accordion industry and the American Accordionists’ Association. He devoted his life to the instrument. Mr. Scholl was a fine accordionist, teacher, composer and arranger. One of his many passions was recording.

Before his passing in 2002, one of Mr. Scholl’s dreams was to compile a collection such as this. We owe a debt of gratitude to Cliff Scholl, who had the insight and the engineering capability to record historical concerts from the 1940’s, musical gems that the accordion world will cherish forever. Hopefully this CD is the beginning of fulfilling that dream.

This CD is a wonderful opportunity for you to hear the great accordionists playing well known and loved solos. If you have never heard them perform then this is your chance to listen and learn. There are 76 minutes of unforgettable performances. There is no other CD like this one.

“The Ten Most Celebrated Accordionists of All Time” is a one of a kind CD. Volume 2 will be out very soon. Emilio Magnotta and Dr. Joseph Ciccone dedicate this CD to Cliff Scholl and the American Accordionists' Association. I am looking forward to adding it to my collection of accordion CD’s.

Thank you and great appreciation is extended to Emilio Magnotta and Dr. Joseph Ciccone for having the vision to create this CD and for continuing to bring us the music of the great accordionists in future CD’s.

For further information and to reserve your copy: Dr. Joseph Ciccone, Drjciccone@aol.com

Gary Dahl eSheet music, sent by email, secure bank server system

Zevy Zions "Dizzy Accordion"

by Jay Landers
Zevy Zions There's a man in New Jersey who's devoted himself to the preservation of a variety of classic solo pieces for the accordion. His name is Zevy Zions.

His influences are many. His talents are prodigious. His choices of repertoire run the gamut from the vaudeville stage of 100 years ago to the recital stage and competitions in more recent decades to "gigs"!

"Dizzy Accordion" contains 59:20 of 18 selections which showcase the entire range of this reed instrument to which we are all devoted. The variety of rhythms that are represented in this album would serve to justify the accordion's rightful place among the mainstream of instruments. It can tango. It can polka. It can sing a rhapsody. It can hold one's attention as well as any instrument. Then, add the dynamic range demonstrated in Zevy's approach to each piece. His use of registers and his facility with bellows control remind us of just how sonorous is the accordion.

The composers represented include Pietro Frosini. His performing career included vaudeville, recordings and live radio programs in the first half of the 20th century. Frosini's originals and transcriptions are probably familiar to most of us who took lessons in the 1950's and 60's. Here we are reminded by Zevy Zions that this composer performer could produce serious classical music - "Rhapsody # 2 inC minor" as well as novelty tunes - "Hot Points" and "Skippin' Along", and melodic tango music such as "Love Smiles". We also have Guido Deiro's "I Don't Care" polka, transcribed by Zevy from a 1912 recording. Deiro, older brother of Pietro, was the King of the Accordion during his 20-year reign as possibly the highest paid instrumentalist in vaudeville from 1910-1930. He also introduced the piano accordion to America. John Gart's "Scherzo", "Poème" and "Fughetta" show us how dramatic is the accordion. Zevy sails through challenging changes of tempo, voicings and dynamics with ease.

There are arrangements of "Helena Polka" and "Clarinet Polka" by Charles Nunzio, who will turn 98 this month. Zevy has studied with him. Nunzio was a protege of Frosini and often substituted for him, as well as Charles Magnante, in the halcyon days of daily live radio broadcasts when all of these virtuosos were active and well-known in New York City and throughout the nationwide radio networks. Nunzio had a teaching studio in the Carnegie Hall Building and at one time was a part-owner of Bell Accordion.

Angelo DiPippo, who is seen and heard in the original "Godfather" motion picture, is represented with his "Bajon", as is his teacher, Joe Biviano, with his "Bolero in C". Biviano was a student (and brother-in-law) of Magnante and a member of the famed Magnante Quartet. There are several Klezmer pieces and Zevy holds them up as equal partners to the other accordion classics in this compilation.

Zevy plays a specially tuned Beltuna accordion. The first six tracks on this CD, however, were played on a "Lars Ek Nostalgic" accordion in order to recreate the sound and feel of those pieces written by Frosini and Guido Deiro.

To obtain this CD and other releases and sheet music by Zevy Zions, visit www.oliveblossoms.com or contact him at kvetcher@oliveblossoms.com .
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