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Yellow Pages Events
Highlights |
Sunday Afternoon AAA September 10 Accordion Celebration
Kevin Friedrich Director of The World Accordion Museum Alliance In China
"Meditato" by Gorka Hermosa Has Chicago World Premiere, Chengdu Premiere, Ugljevik Premiere - USA / China / Bosnia & Herzegovina
2023 AAA Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition Winners Announced
Hanzhi Wang Fall Concerts
Lauren Brody’s New Publication: "Outsinging the Nightingale-Lost Treasures of Bulgarian Music”
Grupo Intocable Achieves No. 4 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart
Jacques Pellarin Releases New Album “Haute Couture"
“Behind The Bellows” – Video Now Viewable in High Definition
41st Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Paul Ramunni Presents "The Joy of Accordions" at Goshen Public Library
Final Appearance by the Great Morgani at the 2023 Cotati Accordion Festival
New England Digital Accordion Orchestra Opened Hitchcock, MA Summer Concert Series
Free Celebration mp3 Album, Honoring Lou Jacklich, Accordion Pioneer, Teacher, and Artist
Brooklyn Accordion Club Orchestra Member Invitation
Accordionist Bob Goldberg Presents “Heaven and Hell - Harp and Accordion” & "Dream Sequence"
“Vancouver Squeezebox Circle Orchestra” Musical Journey Concert
Future events |
Mike and the Middletones Oktoberfest Schedule
The NorthEast Squeeze-In September 30 to October 3
Accordionist Jason Webley and The Flotsam River Circus
Highlights |
Editor's Noteby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Welcome to the September Accordion USA News which includes videos, photos and extensive reports on previous and future accordion happenings on the North American continent. It is wonderful that readers can read about, listen to, and view all that is available in the accordion world! Expand your accordion horizons by learning about exciting and talented accordionists who make sure that the accordion is appreciated and enjoyed by millions of people around the world! Thank you to our advertisers, our contributing authors and AWW volunteers that make it possible to pay the costs of providing the free Accordion USA News service 24/7 to the world. You are welcome to submit ideas for future articles in the USA News! Send to Ritabelll@aol.com |
Sunday Afternoon AAA September 10 Accordion Celebrationby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| Come to the AAA’s Sunday Afternoon Accordion Celebration! on Sunday, September 10, 2023 - 12:00 noon at: Famee Furlane Club 2008 127th Street College Point, NY 11356 AAA Sunday Afternoon Accordion Celebration will feature the following great musicians: Alex Chudolij, Mario Tacca, Mary Mancini, Frank Toscano, and Dominic Karcic The event ticket includes buffet dinner, 2 bottles of wine per table, entertainment, & dancing. The price is $85/person You can purchase tickets online. Full information, download flier at: http://www.ameraccord.com/artwork/2023/FlierAccordionCelebration.pdf The American Accordionists’ Association (AAA) is a 501(c)(3) corporation. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Please RSVP by September 4, 2023. For event details or to become an AAA member, please visit ameraccord.com for further information about the 85th Anniversary Festival and all the many fascinating accordion activities that the AAA is sponsoring. Tickets for this event can be purchased by sending in the flier with a check or paying through the AAA secure payment portal at: AAA Shopping Cart |
Kevin Friedrich Director of The World Accordion Museum Alliance In Chinaby Harley Jones |
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 Video above: Guinness World Record Achieved at the 2023 Xin Jiang Tacheng Accordion Art Festival with 2525 live accordionists, plus 2003 verified online to total 4528 accordion players.Picture above: China Accordion Association (CAA) Executive Secretary Crystal Wang introducing Kevin Friedrich to the Tacheng Accordion Museum crowd. An important event of the recent 2023 Tacheng Accordion Art Festival was the Forum between the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) and the Tacheng Accordion Museum. Kevin Friedrich is the Director of a new initiative, the WAMA, which is a global initiative held under the auspices of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA), to coordinate the efforts of Accordion Museums and collectors around the world. Full report: 2023Tacheng Picture left: Ma Yulan (Director of the Tacheng Accordion Museum) and Kevin Friedrich (Director of the CIA World Accordion Museum Alliance). World Accordion Museum Alliance (WAMA) Mission Statement: WAMA is an International partnership, committed to the conservation, protection and promotion of our global accordion heritage. Our common responsibility is to preserve our accordion related treasures, document the accordion's cultural heritage, encourage discoveries and tell our story for future generations. The WAMA aims to carry out International missions in association with the CIA and its member nations, affording the opportunity to discuss and reflect on museum and heritage related issues. Within the CIA member nations, Accordion Museums are found in Austria, China, Finland, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Russia, Sweden, the USA and more, with private collections being held in many other member nations. The CIA aims to support the collective efforts to ensure that the history and development of the accordion is protected well into the future. The CIA recognizes the tremendous work by done by the Tacheng Accordion Museum to establish the extensive collection of accordions, the largest in China. Tacheng is a city rich in culture and music and the Museum is an important way to preserve and promote this heritage. The CIA had great honor of inviting the Tacheng Accordion Museum to join the CIA World Accordion Museum Alliance (WAMA) which was accepted. Picture below: Official presentations with certificates and antique accordion gifts were (left to right): Crystal Wang, CIA Music Committee, CAA Executive Secretary; Kimmo Mattila, Secretary General, CIA; Shi Xuexia, Deputy Mayor of Tacheng; Zhang Qingyang, Head of the City of Tacheng Propaganda Department; Mirco Patarini, President, CIA; Ma Yulan, Director of the Tacheng Accordion Museum; Li Cong, President China Accordion Association (CAA); Kevin Friedrich, Ambassador CIA, Director CIA WAMA; Harley Jones, Public Relations CIA. Full August Tacheng Report at: 2023Tacheng |
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"Meditato" by Gorka Hermosa Has Chicago World Premiere, Chengdu Premiere, Ugljevik Premiere - USA / China / Bosnia & Herzegovinaby Harley Jones |
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| Video: World Premiere at ATG Festival in Chicago. A most successful World Premiere of "Meditato" composed by Gorka Hermosa was performed by Grayson Masefield at the 2023 Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival in Chicago. Photo report at: http://www.accordions.com/atg/2023report.php “Meditato” (2023) is a Meditation on the irrationality of human barbarism that was commissioned by the ATG thanks to the ATG President Mary Ann Covone and Harley Jones. When approached for the commission, Gorka Hermosa proposed a melodic piece as most commissioned works he receives are for virtuoso pieces. He thought that it was deeper to go in the opposite direction with a melodic work. Gorka writes: "Meditato tries to express the desolation in my soul in front of barbaric acts such as I previously showed in Gernika (1994), and in Fragilissimo (2000) showing that all depends on the point of view and our inability to understand the point of view of the people who thinks to the contrary of us. To compose “Meditato”, I listened to the main melodical pieces written for accordion (Romance of Angelis, Kalina Krasnaya of Semionov...), music by Albeniz, Satie, Debussy... and finally I found the inspiration listening to Rachmaninoff (for the introduction of the piece) and Villalobos (Bachiana Brasileira nº5) for the rest of the piece, departing from the improvisation on its harmony, to write what I finally composed in this piece.” Grayson Masefield performed the Chinese premiere of "Meditato" at a concert in Chengdu last week with over 9,000 additional audience viewing by the internet. "Meditato" received enthusiastic audience response in both the USA and China where the work was also performed in concert in Tacheng last week. Full report of Tacheng festival at: 2023Tacheng Grayson Masefield will perform the European premiere of "Meditato" at the 2023 Coupe Mondiale concert by "CIA officers" on 4th August in Ugljevik, Bosnia & Herzegovina. |
2023 AAA Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition Winners Announcedby Harley Jones |
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Sound files: (click links to play sound files)
Le Accordeon du Diable (performed by Maria Martonová, accordion) composed by João Pedro Oliveira
Walts Curse composed by Jacob Bean
Flicker, free bass accordion solo, by Kaidson Davis
 The results of the 2023 American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition are:1st place: Le Accordeon du Diable, for accordion and electronic track, by João Pedro Oliveira 2nd place: Walt's Curse, accordion solo, by Jacob Bean Honorable mention: Flicker, free bass accordion solo, by Kaidson Davis Two Legs, One Peg, Two Arms, accordion solo, by Cody McSherry Full information including recordings of the compositions are at: http://www.ameraccord.com/bennett.php |
Hanzhi Wang Fall Concertsby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Video 1: “Spinning Song” - Felix Mendelssohn (transcription by Hanzhi)Hanzhi explains, “ ‘Spinning Song’ is a joyful and sparkling work which is written by Felix Mendelssohn originally. I loved the energy of music when I first heard it, therefore I made a transcription of this lovely little work to accordion. Concert accordionist Hanzhi Wang shares, “I am looking forward to my upcoming recitals at LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton, NY. I’ll kick off the concert series “Classical music under the starts” presented by Young Concert Artists on August 24, solo program will be including Mozart, Scarlatti, Martin Lohse, Piazzolla. The second recital will be on September 7, 2023 with all the “Goldberg Variations”. Hanzhi has an interesting lineup for her fall appearances with Grammy nominated mandolinist Avi Avital to offer a program of Bartók, Stravinsky, Bach, and more on October 21, 2023 at 7:30 PM. Hanzhi Wang and Avi Avital will bring a delightful collaboration to the Sixth & I stage. Excerpts from Washington Performing Arts website: “Staggering virtuosity that held the audience in a state of breathlessness, as thrilling to watch as to hear.” – Oberon's Grove, on Hanzhi Wang “Avital is a musician who recognizes no boundaries except those of good taste, and who has the artistry to persuade listeners to follow him anywhere." – Gramophone Program: Fritz Kreisler - “Praeludium and Allegro” in the Style of Pugnani Igor Stravinsky - “Suite italienne” from Pulcinella Johann Sebastian Bach - “Chaconne” from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 Béla Bartók - “Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56” Pablo de Saraste - “Romanza andaluza” from Spanish Dances, Op. 22 Manuel de Falla - “Danse Espagnole No. 1” from "La Vida Breve" Camille Saint-Saëns - “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28” About Washington Performing Arts: One of the most established and honored performing arts institutions in America, Washington Performing Arts has engaged for more than half a century with artists, audiences, students, and civic life. The city is truly our stage: for decades, in venues ranging from concert halls and clubs to public parks, we have presented a tremendous range of artists and art forms, from the most distinguished symphony orchestras to both renowned and emerging artists in classical music, gospel music, jazz, international genres, and more. We also have an ever-expanding artistic and educational presence on the internet, addressing the programming challenges of this time of pandemic while envisioning ongoing opportunities for online connection and community in a post-COVID world. Hanzhi Wang is the first accordionist to join the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 57-year history of discovering extraordinary musicians. Her concert career has already taken her around the globe with performances in Europe and Asia. Ms. Wang made her debut in the Young Concert Artists Series in New York, opening the 2018-19 season in The Peter Marino Concert at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. Her Washington, DC debut in the Young Concert Artists Series at the Kennedy Center was co-presented with Washington Performing Arts. In 2018, Musical America named Hanzhi Wang “New Artist of the Month,” and Naxos released its first-ever solo accordion CD, Ms. Wang’s "On the Path to H.C. Andersen.” It features music by Danish composers including "The Little Match Girl," written for her by Martin Lohse. In addition to Mr. Lohse, Hanzhi Wang has also had works dedicated to her by James Black and Sophia Gubaidulina, with whom she has worked extensively. Hanzhi earned her Bachelor’s degree at the China Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, and her Master’s degree at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen as a student of Geir Draugsvoll. |
Lauren Brody’s New Publication: "Outsinging the Nightingale-Lost Treasures of Bulgarian Music”by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Hot off the presses! Detailed transcriptions, with ornamentation, of instrumental tunes, and song texts with translations of all 25 tracks from CD A of my 4-CD Collection of Bulgarian folk music "Outsinging the Nightingale-Lost Treasures of Bulgarian Music” Limited edition, 72 pages, spiral-bound, luxurious, thick and durable card stock paper. And here's how to order until the website is updated: U.S. orders only: $40 + $7.50 s&h Email Lauren at outsingingthenightingale@gmail.com for payment arrangements. European orders will be fulfilled from Bulgaria. Email Lauren at outsingingthenightingale@gmail.com. Lauren Brody was born in New York City, and has been involved with music since early childhood. A classically trained pianist, she received a B.A. in music from the City University of New York, and pursued a Master's Degree in Music before changing course to devote herself to the restoration and tuning of pianos. She first became aware of Bulgarian music as a teenager, and was so deeply impressed with what she heard that, in 1969, she made her solo first trip to Bulgaria. That initial trip sparked a life-long interest and commitment to the music and the culture, despite the fact that Lauren has no Bulgarian ancestry. In 1971, during the Communist era in Bulgaria, when visitors from the West were not welcome in the region, it is remarkable that she received a stipend from the Bulgarian government to do post-graduate study in Bulgarian folk music at the State Music Conservatory in Sofia. It was during this period that she was first introduced to old 78rpm recordings of Bulgarian folk music. These recordings were to become a subject of great future interest for Lauren. In 1990, she received a grant from the Fulbright Foundation to research the commercial recording industry in Bulgaria from 1900-1950. It was the the pioneer study on the subject, as most Bulgarian scholarship in the field of ethnomusicology was devoted to field research. The notion that commercial recordings were a valid avenue of inquiry did not have much traction among Bulgarian scholars at the time. Despite this scepticism, colleagues at the Institute of Music in Sofia were quite helpful to Lauren in the pursuit of her research goals. The results of that research are presented on the pages of this website and on the CD she reissued on the Yazoo label entitled "Song of the Crooked Dance". A monograph in both English and Bulgarian is planned for the the near future. In addition to her research activities, Lauren has been an active performer and teacher of Bulgarian folk music and singing. She appears on two CDs as vocalist and keyboard player with the Yuri Yunakov Ensemble, and has been teaching at seminars since the early 1970s. She leads a dual life as a klezmer musician, and has been a member of Kapelye and Mikveh, with whom she has appeared in films, recorded and toured extensively through the U.S., Canada and Europe. For further information: outsingingthenightingale@gmail.com |
Grupo Intocable Achieves No. 4 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chartby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Video: “No Se Vuelve a Repetir” (Video Oficial)Intocable, the Tejano/Norteño group from Zapata, Texas, has achieved a new milestone on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart. The group’s latest single, “No Se Vuelve a Repetir,” has climbed to No. 4 on the chart dated Aug. 26, 2023, extending its record for the most top 10s on the list to 47. The song, which was released on March 16, 2023, via Good I Music, is the second track from Intocable’s forthcoming album (release date to be announced). It was written by Carlos Preciado and Ricardo Muñoz, the lead vocalist and accordionist of the group. According to Luminate, the song gained 52% in audience impressions in the U.S. during the week ending Aug. 17, earning the Greatest Gainer honor. Intocable broke the record for the most top 10s on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart earlier this year, when “No Me Hablen de Amor” rose from No. 12 to No. 2 on the chart dated Jan. 28, 2023. The group surpassed Los Tigres del Norte, who held the record with 45 top 10s since the chart’s inception in 1994. Since then, Intocable has added two more top 10s to its tally: “Un Poquito Tuyo,” which peaked at No. 1 in April, and “No Se Vuelve a Repetir”. “No Se Vuelve a Repetir” also rises to a new peak on the overall Latin Airplay chart, jumping from No. 31 to No. 14. The song is part of Intocable’s Evolución Tour 2023, a 61-date tour around North America, which will conclude with Texas dates in November. Follow Tejano Nation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with everything Tejano. Listen to new Tejano music first with our Spotify playlists and iHeartRadio podcast. Intocable group members include: Ricardo Javier “Ricky” Muñoz – (Lead Vocalist, Accordion) René Orlando Martínez – (Drums, Chorus) Sergio Serna – (Percussion) Johnny Lee Rosas – (Second Vocals, Bajo Sexto) Alejandro Gulmar – (Bajo Sexto) Felix Salinas – ( Bass ) Intocable is one of the most influential groups in the Tejano/Norteño music scene today. Their road to success began over twenty five years ago in Zapata,Texas, when friends Ricky Muñoz and René Martínez dreamed of bringing their songs to the world as they crafted a unique and extraordinary style of music which expertly fuses Tejano conjunto music, Norteño folk rhythms, pop ballads and rock. After years of dedication and passion, the dream became an indisputable reality. With #1 hits such as “Robarte un Beso,” “Prometí,” “Te Amo (Para Siempre),” “Culpable Fui (Culpable Soy),” their latest “Tu Ausencia,” as well as fan favorites like “Dame Un Besito,” “Eres Mi Droga,” Enséñame a Olvidarte,” “Sueña,” “Contra Viento y Marea,” “Llueve,” “Arrepiéntete,” among others, INTOCABLE continues to entertain and delight audiences in both the United States and Mexico. |
Jacques Pellarin Releases New Album “Haute Couture"by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| Video: “Haute Couture” by Composer/accordionistJacques Pellarin Video captation by Filmmaker Lucas Pellarin - August 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhfWpbcNQP0 Video 2: "Bossa Man" by Jacques Pellarin Enjoy the Brazilian Jazz Accordion! Guitar: Michael Nikolidakis Percussions: David Bopdrummer Upright Bass: Christopher Davis-Shannon “Haute Couture”, Jacque Pellarin’s new original accordion composer album is available now on Youtube, Apple, Spotify, etc, Jacques Pellarin is a composer, accordionist and a music producer well known internationally for The French Chic & Eclectic Accordion collection from Jacques Pellarin music productions. He has created 16 albums including Jazz - French cinema - Latin Jazz - Crossover traditionnal to Classic music. He has toured in the USA, Europe & Japan with bands like Baikal duo, Jacques Pellarin trio & now the duet JAC & CO. His music was played more than 100 times on Morning Edition (NPR) in recent years. Jacques has recorded two Masterings for NHK TV - Japan.The music has been added in a national documentary as "Song titles", June 16th 2018 and also available in the NHK Music catalogue. Three of Jacques's compositions were featured in this beautiful playlist Music Apple around the theme of Paris Cafe classic French Vibes including Edith Piaf, Michel Legrand, Charles Aznavour, Manu Dibango, Babik Reinhardt, Avishai Cohen, Jacques Pellarin ... Jacques shares, “I’m very honored to participate in the Music For Peace International division as a Music Ambassador! The Music Ambassador program is organized around musical genres and each Music Ambassador represents a particular genre of music. International Peace Festival.The International Peace Festival | Festival International de la Paix Awards Committee announces Jane Fonda, American actress and political activist, as the recipient of the 2023 IPF | FIP Celebrity Peace Ambassador Award to be formally presented to Ms. Fonda at the IPF | FIP Awards Ceremony that will be held in Toronto, Canada, on September 24, 2023.” Music for Peace is an international private initiative, which was formed in April 2017 as a registered non-profit organization. It emerged from a series of Johann Sebastian Bach B Minor Mass concerts beginning in 1996 at the Concentration Camp Memorial in Dachau, 1999 in Ottobeuren, 2006 in Paris, 2010 in Frankfurt and between the years 2016/2017 in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth. Music for Peace is not aiming at political goals, neither is it bound by a rigid philosphy or world-view. This project is about the direct, individual experience of the participants and the audience. Being inspired to open and widen one's horizon and to open oneself for the transformative power of music would indeed be a wonderful motive to take part in the Music for Peace activities. Excerpts from the Music for Peace website: Jacques Pellarin is an international composer, accordionist and French producer who stands out for his French Chic and Eclectic music. To date he has recorded 16 albums spanning many genres, from jazz to French cinema, Latin jazz, traditional and classical crossover music. His release 'Paris Sunlight' is a collection of self-produced songs celebrating the popular Parisienne Café Culture of the early 900, when café owners hired accordion players to entertain visitors. Jacques has performed in the famous cathedral of Chartres & Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy (France) with the duo Baikal (Accordion Festival). He has toured the United States, Europe, Japan, both with the Baikal Duo, the Jacques Pellarin Trio, and more recently as a soloist and with the duet JAC & CO. His music is played frequently on the radio, particularly in the Morning Edition on NPR. It has also been frequently featured on NHK TV in Japan. Jacques’ composition “Orgue des Faubours” was included in the US film titled “Separation” in 2021 via Briarcliff Entertainment with Rupert Friend and Madeline Brewer. The composition “Fleur de Bossa” is featured in Michelle Pfeiffer's new American film entitled “French Exit”. The composition "Milonga de l'Espoir" was featured in the American TV series Nancy Drew. In February 2022 he recorded a composition by Pinar Toprak for the soundtrack of the film “Slumberland”, produced by NETFLIX. In October 2022 he signed with the prestigious English classical music label WillowHayne with which he recorded an album of his most famous classical works. Jacques is a true exponent of the accordion art and his vast repertoire of musical styles makes him a unique musician and a highly sought after composer. As Music Ambassador for IPF’s Music For Peace International (French Music Wing), he applies his musical talents and uses music as a social glue to bring us closer to each other and help us come together as a community. Wes George, Owner JazzNet247 Project, shares his thoughts about Jacques: "Jacques Pellarin is a prolific French composer, accordionist and producer who is known internationally for his French Chic and Eclectic accordion music.He has recorded 16 albums to date encompassing many genres :- from Jazz to French Cinema to Latin Jazz to Crossover Traditional to Classical music. Among his many releases is 'Paris Sunlight' (12/21) is a collection of self penned songs which celebrates the Parisienne Café Culture popular in the early 1900 century in the City Of Romance when café proprieters would hire accordion players to entertain the 'al frecso' visitors. Jacques Pellarin performed in the famous Cathedral of Chartres & Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy (France) with the Baikal duo.( Accordion festivals). Jacques had no fewer than 8 songs featured in a movie about fashion in 2020 called 'Scale' by the famous director Nick Knight. His music has been featured often on NHK TV in Japan and has been used in a national documentary there. His composition "Milonga de l'Espoir“ has been officially placed in the American TV Series ”Nancy Drew" (Season 2 – Episode The reunion of Lost Souls ") Three of Jacques' compositions featured in the beautiful playlist Music Apple which depicted the theme of Paris Café Classic French Vibes. It included other notable French musicians and vocalist both past and present such as :- Edith Piaf, Michel Legrand, Charles Aznavour, Manu Dibango, Babik Reinhardt and Avishai Cohen. In February 2022, Artist recording accordion performance on an orchestration by composer Pinar Toprak for the Soundtrack of the Film "Slumberland", produced by NETFLIX, released in 2022, was well received. Jacques Pellarin is a true exponent of the Accordion artform and his wide repertoire of music genres and styles makes him a much sought after musician and composer". Accordion music in France is as synonymous as their wine and Brie and Jacques Pellarin is a true exponent of the artform and his wide repertoire of music genres and styles makes him a much sought after musician and composer.” For further information: jacques.pellarin@wanadoo.fr |
“Behind The Bellows” – Video Now Viewable in High Definitionby Pamela Tom |
 “Behind the Bellows” is one-hour accordion documentary written, directed and narrated by Steve Mobia in 2009. Steve noted that the video was originally shot on the standard DV video of the day. He recently updated the video so that you can now watch it in high definition on the Internet. The next paragraph is based on text describing the video that is located on Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/382265821 . “Seven years in the making, this is an American documentary about the beloved but often misunderstood squeezebox; its history and variety as well as its effect on popular culture. Contains insightful interviews with accordion legends such as Anthony Galla-Rini, Guy Klucevsek and Dick Contino among many others. See the original drawings for the accordion's patent of 1829 as well as the first design of the concertina. Visit an accordion museum and a factory where the instrument's many parts are created. Venture through several types of concertinas, button boxes as well as high-tech MIDI accordions. See historic clips of Guido Deiro, Art Van Damme, Lawrence Welk and Frankie Yankovic. Discover why "Lady of Spain" is associated with the accordion. See the first attempt to make a rock-n-roll accordion. And listen to where the accordion might be headed in the future.” |
41st Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festivalby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
  Video: Zydeco FestivalCome out for the 41st Annual Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival happening on September 1 and 2, 2023 featuring: Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas Geno Delafosse and French Rockin Boogie Jeremy Fruge and the Zydeco Hotboys Rusty Metoyer and Zydeco Crush Chris Ardoin and Nu Step Zydeco and more! Yambilee Festival Grounds 1939 W Landry Street Opelousas, LA 70570 The 41st Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival is live! Organizers are preparing, trying to satisfy the demand for Creole Culture and Zydeco Music. Festival executive director Lena Charles says that locally and nationwide, music fans are eager to return to Southwest Louisiana to experience firsthand the original “keepers of the culture, the tellers of the stories.” The festival takes place on September 2, 2023at the Yambilee Festival Grounds with multiple activities leading up to that date. This year the festival pays tribute to Pioneers, the ones who help the original organization of “The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival". The lineup includes hit-makers such as Grammy winner Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Grammy nominees Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie and Nathan Williams & the Zydeco Cha Cha’s, Jeremy Frugé & The Zydeco Hot Boyz, Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush and Special Guest, “The Legend Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeco.” The Treasures of Opelousas, a group of concerned citizens, feared that Zydeco and Creole music were dying. In response, they organized the first festival in 1982. Forty-one years later, they are still celebrating and promoting the best of creole culture, traditional food and of course, The Best of Zydeco Music. The schedule begins with a pre-party on September 1, 2023 and ends with a day jam pack-full of Zydeco celebrations on September 2, 2023. Check out the Schedule of Events for more details. www.zydeco.org For further information: swlazydecofestival@yahoo.com Lena Charles : lenafcharles@bellsouth.net |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
9th Annual Polish Festival in Vancouver on September 3by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Video: PARNO DROM at the Angel Estate Winery, Delta, BC, CanadaThe 9th Annual Polish Festival in North Vancouver, BC on September 3rd, 2023. Enjoy Eastern European Romani (Gypsy) music performed by PARNO DROM. The festival takes place at 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC. Come to the Shipbuilders' Square and Pipe Shop @CityOfNorthVan on September 3, 2023 from 1 PM to 8 PM as the richness of Polish culture, tradition, and arts is celebrated. PARNO DROM is a group formed by Bob Kozak, a talented accordionist and vocalist. The group performs Eastern European Romani (Gypsy) style music and their repertoire includes music from Russia; Poland; Hungary; and beyond. They sing in the original language of each song including the Romany language of the Gypsies. As musicians they have performed internationally: Japan, England, Russia, Poland, Germany, and USA, to name a few. PARNO DROM provides wonderful entertainment for any occasion from casual events, festivals and weddings to formal business functions. Bob Kozak is leader of the group, born in Poland, member of the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) and a member of World Artists Initiative “Khetanes”. Members of the group include: Katya Kiselyova on guitar and vocals; Elizabeth Lesztak, dancer; Lubov Plett on violin. The 9th annual Polish Cultural Festival will feature Polish music, singing, folk dancing and specials program for children and youth. The Polish Festival Vancouver is organized by The North Shore Polish Association Belweder, celebrating Polish culture, folklore, music, cuisine, and more. The 9th Polish Festival Vancouver is proudly sponsored by Global BC and Vancouver's Best Places Admission is free. For further information: info@koroentertainment.com |
Paul Ramunni Presents "The Joy of Accordions" at Goshen Public Libraryby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Paul Ramunni founder of the New England Accordion Connection & Museum Company will be playing and lecturing about the accordion onSeptember 22, 2023 at 4:30 PM EDT at the Goshen Public Library, 42B North Street Goshen, CT 06756 Antique accordions will also be on display. Join us for this fascinating and entertaining program! Paul shares, “We have become more serious with our collection of antique accordions. We’ve added 7 more curved keyboard units from the 1930’s and another dozen or so original organettos, bandoneons, and cromatica accordions. We now have 4 Luttbegs, which are double keyboard accordions. Only 12 were ever produced worldwide. We also have over 100 refurbished current accordions for sale. And we continue to offer repair services. More folks are coming in just for that. However, what continues to amaze me is the reaction of people when they open the door and see all of the accordions. They are pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed by the beauty, artistry, ingenuity and number of instruments. But then it begins to dawn on them that most of these were made 100 to 200 years ago! There was no internet, no lumber yards, hardware stores, supply centers or even instructions and manuals explaining how to build an accordion. These all had to be designed and made by hand. Then it happens…people start to smile, laugh, even giggle. They become like little children on Christmas morning. I’ll play a song and some will even dance and some will cry because the music helps them remember precious moments from the past. Within minutes we become friends and I don’t even know their names. This is a happy place filled with wonderful and important memories. Everyone who visits feels lifted and encouraged. I have a wonderful 8-year-old student who is learning how to play the accordion. He was recently diagnosed with cancer. Even he smiles and enjoys his time here despite his ailment. I have the best job in all the world. It took me 74 years to find it, but I now have a place that instantly makes people happy. There are the accordions, great music, and reminders of faith from times past. All of this will lift your spirits. Please come to visit. It’s worth a trip from anywhere.” Over 400 spectacularly-beautiful accordions have been moved into the recently-restored Canaan Union Railroad station in North Canaan, Connecticut by long-time collector Angelo Paul Ramunni. As creator and owner of the New England Accordion Connection & Museum Company (NEACMC) (https://www.neacmc.com), Ramunni recently relocated the exceptionally-detailed and highly-ornate hand-crafted accordions from throughout the world dating back to the year 1829 into the historic railroad station. "This is a happy, hands-on experience place the public is embracing joyfully," stated Ramunni. "We opened this living historical museum space in early July 2021 and people's jaws drop when they see hundreds of accordions in a room with 12' high wood-beamed ceilings and windows. It is the only room in the original 8,500 square foot station dating back to 1872. The rest of the building was destroyed in a 2001 fire and was re-built to modern-day specs." Between 1984 and 2002, Ramunni owned the historic station to house his CPA business. In 2001 he sold it to the Connecticut Railroad Historical Association after it was heavily damaged by an arson's fire. Visitors to his museum today are enthusiastically engaged when he tells them stories about what happened in the building over the last 147 years at the 'crossroads where thousands of people passed every week." In 2011, Ramunni created his accordion museum in a garage on his home's property in North Canaan. This July, he relocated to display the 400+ accordions plus he repairs, buys and sells these remarkable 'bling-enhanced' vintage accordions, and he offers to sell over 10,000 pieces of sheet music and books, provide lessons, and play an accordion at special events. "Vienna, Austria in 1829 was where the first accordion was patented," revealed Ramunni. "In America, the accordion was popular while the West was being settled and was integral for emigrating families from across the globe. Being portable and musically-rich, it was played throughout the Civil War, World War I and II. "This museum's 40 x 24 foot historical room," continued Ramunni, "is helping people to reconnect to themselves and unite with others. It is offering a fun, energizing, and beautiful atmosphere. People of all ages walk through taking deep, appreciative long breaths of joy. They especially enjoy my old polka-playing Wurlitzer jukebox!" The New England Accordion Connection & Museum Company is located in the historic Canaan Union Railroad station in North Canaan next to the Connecticut Railroad Historical Association Museum. The museum is open weekends and by appointment weekdays by calling 860-833-1374 or by emailing to ramunni@comcast.net. New England Accordion Museum 75 Main Street, North Canaan, CT Email: ramunni@comcast.net Phone: Paul Ramunni 860-833-1374 Registration required: Kindly e-mail us at frontdesk@goshenpublib.org or call (860) 491-3234. This program is made possible by the generosity of the Friends of the Goshen Public Library. |
Final Appearance by the Great Morgani at the 2023 Cotati Accordion Festivalby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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  Video: Sunday August 20, 2023 Video & Photo Highlights of annual Cotati California Accordion Festival.Video 2: Cotati Accordion Festival The Cotati Festival is a fantastic accordion event for all types of accordion music, instruments, and accordion lovers. This year’s event was a huge success as always. Andy Adams who writes for the “Community Voice” summarized the versatility of the 2023 Cotati Festival which took place on August 19 and 20, 2023: Thousands showed for Cotati’s 32nd Annual Accordion Festival. Including over 30 performances, nearly 100 vendors, and nine “future accordion stars,” the event spanned nine and a half hours both Saturday and Sunday in La Plaza Park, closing surrounding streets. The accordion festival is a non-profit organization that celebrates the accordion and donates thousands to local youth groups and school programs. “Last year was our biggest turnout ever,” said event director Scott Goree. “So many people find they wanted to come out after being stuck at home, and I think people don't take festivals for granted anymore.” The festival began in 1991, run by Jim Boggio and Clifton Buck-Kauffman. After Jim Boggio passed away, Buck-Kauffman talked of retiring the festival at a dinner party of eight, but Goree had other plans. “Next thing I know, I’ve been doing it for 20 years, just from going out to dinner with the wrong guy,” Goree joked. The polka tent on the park's south side gathered crowds that filled the tent, inside and out. The Steve Balich Band was one band featured in the tent, playing a variety of polka with many couples dancing through the afternoon. The band has been performing at the festival since its start, and while Steve Balich Sr. has since retired, his son, Steve Balich Jr., remains in the band. This year, The Cotati Accordion Festival named The Great Morgani the 2023 Honorary Director. The Great Morgani is a popular Santa Cruz accordion street performer who has performed at the festival for 22 years. Making his first appearance in 1996, Morgani has around 30 accordions and 150 costumes, including six recently developed costumes entitled ‘Blaque and Bleu,’ which he wore around the festival. Morgani, who used to have almost 50 accordions, contributed two accordions to the festival, as he has for the last few years. Morgani retired in 2022 but came out of retirement for what the festival’s poster calls “The Great Morgani Retirement Party!” Goree wanted to make sure Morgani had a last hurrah before retirement. “I wasn't going to show up at all, but then they have me all over the poster as the Great Morgani’s retirement party, and they’ve given me the honorary director,” said Morgani. He initially received honorary director 20 years ago, in 2003. Morgani teased, “My next award will be in 2043, I’ll be 101 years old, and I want to come in on a zipline.” Six ‘Future Accordion Stars’ competed at the Church of the Oaks down the street simultaneous to the festival. The first Judy and Dick Contino Accordion scholarship was the highest at $1,000 and went to Evan Yuan, and $17,000 was awarded between 5 more contestants. In recent years, the Accordion Festival has not only been an annual celebration in the community but has been a philanthropic group for local non-profit organizations. The festival donates thousands of dollars of funds raised by the event to benefit local youth. Organizations such as the Education Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, and local schools such as Thomas Page and Penngrove Elementary have had thousands donated. Get ready for the 2024 Cotati Accordion Festival which will happen at La Plaza Park! For further information: info@cotatifest.com |
New England Digital Accordion Orchestra Opened Hitchcock, MA Summer Concert Seriesby Sam Falcetti |
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| The Hitchcock Summer Concert Series began on Wednesday July 19th and featured the unique and versatile New England Digital Accordion Orchestra. The concert took place from 6:00-8:PM at the Brimfield Common on Route 20 in Brimfield, MA> Where can a lover of music witness an orchestra consisting of accordions, accompanied by two vocalists, a drummer, and guitarist that combines the sounds of nearly every musical instrument on the planet into a single concert consisting of a song list from nearly every musical genre? The answer lies in a performance of the New England Digital Accordion Orchestra (NEDAO). The NEDAO is special in that it is one of the first of its kind in the United States. The Orchestra is truly unique because of its abilities to produce almost every musical instrument sound in existence and, therefore, perform in the fashion of every type of musical ensemble in the field of music. As a result, its concert performances are able to feature a broad spectrum of musical genres rather than a single one. Audiences at NEDAO concerts are treated to a program consisting of a smorgasbord of musical ensembles and genres. They will have you tapping your feet, clapping your hands, and singing along with the energy that the orchestra creates. It will be a fun night, guaranteed! The New England Digital Accordion Orchestra was formed in 2015 by its conductor who is the internationally recognized accordionist and music educator, Anselmo (Sam) Falcetti of Wilbraham, Massachusetts. The Orchestra currently features 20 performers representing five of the six New England States. The orchestra is complemented by drums, percussion, guitar, and vocalists. Its venues have included The Big E, First Night Chatham, Sturbridge Concert Series, opening act for Deanna Martin and Bobby Rydell at the Annual Italian Festival in Enfield, CT, and numerous other community summer concerts. Early in his career Sam had the opportunity to conduct the Springfield Accordion Orchestra, a group who performed at the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka, Japan. They also appeared on National TV in 1971 on the David Frost Show with vocalist Roberta Flack. In 1973 the orchestra toured Italy and also performed at Disney World in 1975. The Springfield Accordion Orchestra also performed at the 1980 Coupe Mondiale in New Zealand. To learn more about the NEDAO, you can visit the group’s Facebook page or contact Sam Falcetti at samfalcetti@gmail.com or 413-204-5522. |
Free Celebration mp3 Album, Honoring Lou Jacklich, Accordion Pioneer, Teacher, and Artistby Pamela Tom |
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 August was a banner and roller-coaster month for Lou Jacklich, West Coast electronic accordion pioneer from the late 1950s, teacher and performer for nearly eight decades…and still at it! August 2023 started with a guest solo appearance at the Silicon Valley Accordion Society monthly meeting (generally first Sundays of the month) at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Gatos, CA. He delighted the audience with a technically elite program of his outstanding original virtuoso jazz standard and classic arrangements of: “Summertime,” “Misty,” “Bumblebee – Bumble Boogie,” “Holiday for Strings,” ”Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2,” and one of his signature pieces, “A Tribute to George Gershwin” (with the theme of “Rhapsody in Blue” accented with woven hits of “The Man I Love,” “’S Wonderful,” “Bess, You is My Woman Now,” “An American in Paris,” “Summertime,” “Fascinating Rhythm,” and “I Got Rhythm”). Some of these tunes from Lou’s previous performances are on YouTube.] Known for creatively composing original tunes on the spot with notes suggested by audience members, he dazzled them with four notes into a flirtatious melody using a wide range of advanced accordion skills. Many are on his eTracks mp3 album: "Lou Jacklich Plays" Catalog: jacklicheT Price is only US$8 for the mp3 album You can hear 30 second sound samples as well. As a special celebration of his 95th birthday, Lou Jacklich has authorised that his mp3 album be sent free to all who request. Please send your request for this excellent album to Pamela Tom, Email: accordionpam@gmail.com Thank you to the amazing Lou Jacklich for the very fine gift. There is also an extensive history of his career online at: Lou Jacklich A frequent invited guest artist of the Annual Student Scholarship Fundraiser Concert, he was slated to perform on the eve of the 32nd Annual Cotati Accordion Festival, but was sidelined by symptoms of Covid BA.2. His presence was felt however because the San Francisco Accordion Club sponsored an article in the Cotatifest program booklet. On stage before the entire festival of atendees, Elaine Cooperstein (SFAC Treasurer and Lou Jacklich student) introduced and paid tribute to her teacher and then presented Nicholas Plasichuk with SFAC’s 2023 $500 Student Scholarship in honor of Lou Jacklich. [While nearly recovered Lou teaches via SKYPE.] Towards the end of August Lou Jacklich was surprised by some of his students with a group SKYPE chat to celebrate his 95th birthday. Students wished him well and shared their favorite anecdotes among countless experiences he related as a performer. A favorite story during the call included the gig he once played at a nudist colony (he refused to follow the norm, “When in Rome…”). Jane Tripi performed her jazz interpretation of “Happy Birthday.” Photo down: Some of Lou Jacklich’s students greeted and entertained him on the morning of his 95th birthday. |
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Brooklyn Accordion Club Orchestra Member Invitationby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 The Brooklyn Accordion Club (BAC) Orchestra invites you to participate in their upcoming season.Rehearsal Location: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (location will be shared upon RSVP) Orchestra participation fee: $5.00 (senior/student free) - cash only please. This will help cover the rehearsal space rental fee. What to bring: accordion, printed music (if you have not join, please reply to this email. We will email you the music. All levels welcome!), music stand (optional, there are a limited number of music stands at the rehearsal space to share). Tentative fall meeting below. Please mark your calendar!: Sunday, September 10, 2023 4:30-7:00 at A4 Collective Please mark your calendar for the BAC Orchestra concert with other guest accordionists on Sunday, December 10th 7:30-9:00 at South Oxford Space Great Room, Fort Greene Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Accordion Club is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC). For further information: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com . |
Accordionist Bob Goldberg Presents “Heaven and Hell - Harp and Accordion” & "Dream Sequence"by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| On Saturday, September 2, 2023, Rail Trail Cafe will host a unique musical experience. Heaven and Hell is a duo, based in the mid-Hudson Valley region of New York state, that explores the intersections of jazz, folk, funk and improvisation. Harpist Julia Haines and accordionist Bob Goldberg started performing as a duo in the spring of 2023, based on a shared interest in improvising and love of many different styles and approaches. Besides their own compositions, they explore songs by Harry Belafonte, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Billy Taylor, Cris Williamson, folk songs and world music. Come enjoy a sound rarely heard, harp and accordion improvising on original music, jazzing up folk songs, and playing around with some funk. Julia Haines, M.M., independent musician, is a composer, multi-instrumentalist - harp, piano and accordion; music therapist, educator, performer, and life-long musician. Julia Haines, contemporary harper, also explores the beautiful soundings of the accordion. She loves to create new music, inspiring a love for sound, silence and listening. songs. Recognized for being a harper among harpers, with a unique approach to the Celtic harp, weaving together classical, jazz, contemporary and world music, her compositions are evocative, radiant intelligent and primordial. For the past 20 years, she has run a music therapy program for children with learning differences, as well as conducted Sound Art and Healing sessions in home, community and hospital settings, including the Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia. Bob Goldberg is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and teacher, who often plays accordion, and writes for accordion-based groups. He is equally at home with extended drones and novelty songs. She also specializes in the design and implementation of experiential music programs that incorporate singing, improvisation, movement and play as beneficial, embodied practice to promote learning, stress management and self-expression. Accordionist Bob Goldberg is experienced in many styles; committed to finding the right sound for your project. American Roots Music: Folk, Rock, Blues, Jazz World Music Modern Experimental Music Film and Theater Music Early Childhood and Elementary Music Bob shares, “I will work with you to find the right sound to fit your song or instrumental project, working with written charts or building an arrangement. I am a composer, multi-instrumentalist and music educator, based in Brooklyn since the 1980s. Having studied piano, electronic music and composition, I took to the accordion in the 1990s, which has become my main performing instrument.” Bob has written and recorded songs for Disney Channel (The Book of Pooh), MTV and Nickelodeon, and recorded sessions for songwriters, films and theater companies; performed and recorded as a member of Washboard Jungle (available at https://washboardjungle.bandcamp.com/), Le Nozze di Carlo, The Corner Store, and the BAN Radio “Orchestra”. Since 2005, he has led the Famous Accordion Orchestra, whose repertoire covers a wide range of musical traditions - Offenbach, Ellington, Copland, Beatles, Marley, Kraftwerk, Brel, Klezmer, Basque, Italian, Zydeco, along with original compositions. Bob has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, an MA from Brooklyn College, and has received grants and commissions from numerous organizations. He is also a specialist in early childhood and elementary education, bringing folk, world, and modern music to students in the classroom and on video. Location of September 2 program: Rail Trail Cafe Stone Mountain Farm 310 River Rd. Ext. New Paltz, NY Additionally, Bob shares, “I’m proud to announce that Joseph Phillips and Numinous will be performing my piece, "Dream Sequence"*, at their upcoming concert at Roulette Intermedium - 509 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217, Sunday September 17, 2023, along with works by George Brandon, Anthony Branker, and Steven Swartz, as well as excerpts from the first opera in Joe's 1619 opera cycle, "So Far Behind Now Because of Then". This concert is worth attending for Joe Phillips' remarkable composition and i'm honored to be a part of it. "Dream Sequence" was originally composed for an accordion ensemble; this concert offers a reworking for chamber orchestra. "Dream Sequence" - the version that Numinous will be performing - does not include an accordion in the arrangement. Accordion is very much in the DNA of the piece - it started as an accordion ensemble piece, and prior to that, a series of figures I started playing on my Main Squeeze.” For further information: bobgoldberg29@gmail.com |
“Vancouver Squeezebox Circle Orchestra” Musical Journey Concertby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| The Vancouver Squeezebox Circle Orchestra will perform a concert entitled “A Literary Sound-Off” at the Rink, UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada on September 16th, 2023, at 12 noon. The concert will take you on a "musical journey following the plot of Annie Proulx's 1996 novel, Accordion Crimes. Expect to hear accordion music from Italy to New Orleans, from Quebec to the Mid-West, from Spanish-speaking to English-speaking Texas to Scandinavian immigrants as the Squeezebox Circle Orchestra follows the little green accordion's journey.” The Vancouver Squeezebox Circle is a monthly drop-in open to players of all sorts of squeezed instruments, playing all genres of music at any level. It has been meeting at a variety of locations for over 15 years. They have a website at http://squeezeboxcircle.org and appear in public under the name Squeezebox Circle Orchestra with anywhere from three to a dozen accordionists taking part. |
Future events |
Christian Nodal Begins Tour of United Statesby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
 Video 1: Christian Nodal - La Despedida (Video Oficial) The accordion is an integral part of all of his songs. After a successful tour of Europe and Latin America, Christian Nodal kicked off his long-awaited 2023 “Foraji2 Tour” in the United States this Friday, August 25 in California. Living one of the happiest moments of his life, Nodal will visit the most important cities and places of the country with a unique renewed show, without giving up the essence of the creator of the mariacheño. “I’m so excited to see my audience again, my fans, my folks from the United States… 2022 marked a before and after in my career with all the love they showed me in each of the cities I visited and am now.” me it.” back for more. I love you very much and we will see each other again soon,” says Christian Nodal, who has been preparing this new production for a year. The tour initially has 31 dates and began on August 25 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. It ends Sunday, November 12, 2023 at the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania. Christian Nodal visited California, Texas, Arizona, Florida, New York, Washington and several of their cities without a break during these three months. Them Juke shares, “Christian Nodal is a charting singer and songwriter whose sound weds norteño and mariachi by using the accordion to bridge traditions. Nodal was born in 1999 Caborca, Sonora, Mexico into a musical family; his parents and many of his uncles, aunts, and cousins are musicians. He began writing songs at age 13 and posting videos of his performances on social media. He drew the attention of Fonovisa's A&R department, which signed him in 2016. After inking his record deal, he appeared as a featured vocalist in the video for Los Plebes del Rancho's hit "No Pasa de Moda," which garnered over 22 million hits. Nodal's own debut single, the Salvador Garza-penned "Adios Amor," reached the top spot in the Mexican Regional Songs chart and peaked at number two on the Top Latin Songs chart, where it spent over 25 weeks. The video racked up nearly 300 million views. Nodal followed it with three more singles, including "Problamente" featuring David Bisbal. The latter track placed in the Top 20 on the Mexican Regional Songs survey and within the Top 40 on the Top Latin Songs chart. His debut album, Me Dejé Llevar, was released in August 2017. It topped the Mexican Regional Albums chart, peaked at number two on the Top Latin Albums survey, topped the Mexican Regional Albums chart, and brought home a Latin Grammy. Ahora, Nodal's sophomore effort, followed in 2019 and featured the hit singles "No Te Contaron Mal" and "Nada Nuevo." Christian Nodal is the fastest growing artist in the regional Mexican music genre. He combines the classic sounds of mariachi music with the accordion to create mariacheño, a term he coined himself. He is currently the most successful regional Mexican singer-songwriter, winner of four Latin GRAMMYs, seven Latin Billboard, eleven Latin AMA Awards, eight Premios Juventud, a Latin AMA Awards recognition of his “Extraordinary Evolution” and two Tu Música Urbana Follow on Instagram Christian averaging 9 million, on Facebook 9 million and on Twitter 600,000; He has 10 million subscribers on YouTube with more than 3.9 billion views and 15.6 million plays on Spotify." Christian Nodal 2023 Tour Dates: Sep 2 8:00 PM Christian Nodal Allstate Arena - Rosemont, IL Sep 21 8:00 PM Christian Nodal Toyota Center - TX - Houston, TX Sep 22 8:00 PM Christian Nodal Sames Auto Arena - Laredo, TX Sep 23 8:00 PM Christian Nodal HEB Center at Cedar Park - Cedar Park, TX Sep 24 8:00 PM Christian Nodal Dickies Arena - Fort Worth, TX Sep 28 8:00 PM Christian Nodal Mechanics Bank Arena - Bakersfield, CA Sep 29 8:00 PM Christian Nodal Save Mart Center - Fresno, CA Sep 30 8:00 PM Christian Nodal Golden 1 Center - Sacramento, CA Oct 1 8:00 PM Christian Nodal Oakland Arena - Oakland, CA |
Mike and the Middletones Oktoberfest Scheduleby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 Video: Mike Middleton Polka Service Jam Session - WAD/PF 2022Dr. Mike Middleton, organizer of Mike and the Middletones, leads an entertaining group of musicians who can put anyone in a positive happy mood. They have been performing for years in the Texas area and are very popular. Excerpts from Wurstfest website: Dr. Mike Middleton, a Texan accordionist from San Antonio and Austin, has received numerous accordion performance awards over his career, and enjoys performing all types of accordion music. Mike was a regular performer at WURSTFEST in the mid 1980’s as a soloist when he was the Texas State Champion Accordionist in 1982-1984. During medical school he performed several years at WURSTFEST, as well. He only in recent years formally started his band, “Mike & The Middletones”. Initially his band was just himself and his family members, but later included Mr. Clayton Capps, an accomplished Tuba player and music educator in Central Texas. On percussion, is Mr. Lance Middleton from St. Louis, or Mr. Jim Wells from Morgan’s Point, Texas. Mike was heavily influenced by the late great accordionist, Myron Floren, from the famed Lawrence Welk show. Myron was well known to Texans as a regular performer at WURSTFEST for many years. Mike blends acoustic accordion music with midi synthesized rhythms and sounds, all to create a unique blend of music. He is also an accomplished tuba player and occasionally performs on tuba, as well. In the last few years, “Mike & The Middletones” have been performing at many local festivals and venues. Mike Middleton has recorded and produced several successful albums since 2013. These can be ordered at CDBaby or MyTexasMusic, or Mike can be contacted personally. “Mike & The Middletones” have recently been a featured band on the Mollie B Polka Party on RFD TV, shown nationally. They also recently performed at the World Accordion Museum in Superior, Wisconsin. Dr. Middleton is a full time Nuclear Medicine physician at the Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, Texas. He lives in Belton, Texas . Upcoming 2023 Performances Include: Sep 17 - Cancer Survivors Polka Sunday Salado Sep 21 - Ft Worth Oktoberfest Sep 22 - Ft Worth Oktoberfest Sep 23 - Houstons Missouri City Oktoberfest Oct 3 -private event Georgetown Oct 6 - Temple Firebase Brewery Oktoberfest Oct 7 - Durant Ok Oktoberfest Oct 8 - Belton First Presby Church Polka Sunday Oct 13-15 unavailable Oct 21 - Pflugerville DeutchenFest Oct 29 - Seguin Emanual Lutheran Reformation Sausage Festival Nov 4 -Wurstfest new Braunfels StelzenHaus Nov 5 Wurstfest StelzenPlatz Photo: Mike Middleton performing for World Accordion Dayn, 6th May at The World of Accordions Museum Weekend. Photo: Mike Middleton at The World of Accordions Museum 2022 Willard Palmer and World Accordion Day Festival. Mike is available for private, public, and charity performances as a Soloist, or with his band “Mike & The Middletones”. He does presentations on the history of accordion music, as well. He can tailor his performance to your needs. For further information: Mike Middleton, MD Director, Division of Nuclear Radiology Scott & White Clinic 2401 S. 31st Street Temple, TX, 76513 USA Work: (254) 724-2745 Cell: (254) 760-6984 |
The NorthEast Squeeze-In September 30 to October 3by Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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| The NorthEast Squeeze-In is a yearly gathering of free-reed players and their partners—not a festival, not a tutorial camp, but a laid-back music-filled weekend organized and led by volunteers who play concertina, button accordion, piano accordion, and the like. Our participants range from absolute beginners to seasoned professionals. They offer each other workshops (at which attendance is not required), play tunes and songs in an amazing assortment of genres, jam from early morning until late at night, and present an eclectic concert on Saturday in which performers of every level and any instrument are welcome. The concert is followed by a contra dance, along with informal sessions that take place in every nook and cranny of our venue. The event happens from September 30, 2023 to October 3 Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center E Litchfield Rd, Litchfield, CT For more information: The NorthEast Squeeze-In: Lynnh1947@gmail.com |
Accordionist Jason Webley and The Flotsam River Circusby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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 2023 Mississippi River Tour:This summer the Flotsam River Circus is floating down the Mississippi River all the way from Minneapolis to Saint Louis. On our way they will give more than 30 free performances in river towns across five states!The Flotsam River Circus are a troupe of performers traveling on a ramshackle raft, giving free circus shows along the way. Webley said the idea for the river circus hatched around a decade ago. This is the group’s fourth tour. “A lot of us are based in the west coast, so our biggest tours have all been in Washington and Oregon and California,” he said. “Our plan has always been to come and do this on the long American rivers like the Ohio, the upper Mississippi.” Flotsam River Circus features highly talented, multi-skilled musicians, performers and puppeteers and includes Sari Breznau, Ferdusol, Tanya Gagne, Miriam Oommen, Matthew “Poki” McCorkle, Sadye Osterloh, Kalan Sherrard and Webley. “It’s a bunch of performers that I met through different means over the years,” he said. “Our troupe has evolved a little bit from year to year.” Webley is originally from Everett, Washington. In high school, Webley played in a punk rock band called Moral Minority. He picked up the accordion in 1996 in his last year in college at the University of Washington when he was part of a performance of Bertolt Brecht's play The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and wrote a couple of songs for the play on the accordion. He later recalled, "I was just a geeky kid; accordion came later. It's since playing accordion that I've become cool. I used to be a geek with an electric guitar. I had a guitar and played in punky bands and I had a computer. I sequenced stuff. I was much geekier." Webley said floating down the river isn’t particularly exciting, usually. That slow pace ends once the troupe lands at their nightly destination. “Our shows are always at 6 and we perform pretty much every day. We’ve got a couple of off days over the course of the tour,” he said. “We try to get in around 3-3:30 and give ourselves time to set up and get ready for the show. And usually we leave the boat wherever we perform. Some of us stay on that; some of us stay in our ground vehicle.” “We call ourselves a circus and in some ways we are. I don’t even know what traditional circus means these days,” he said. “We don’t have trained animals; we’re not in a tent. But there is a bit of the spirit – there are aerial acts. There’s no traditional clowns but people are trained in clowning.There is kind of a loose story sort of connecting it together. And it’s kind of weird. It’s not crazy, out there experimental theater, but it’s also strange,” he said. “There’s some weird puppet stuff that happens, there’s a live band accompanying everything. On one hand, children seem to love the show, all sorts of people love the show. I don’t think it’s inaccessible. But for some people, it’s a little weird.” The show is free and suitable for all ages. “Audiences are often pretty generous. Moving all of this stuff and this many people over and paying the performers a minimal amount, it ends up being quite a bit,” Webley said. “We really appreciate donations if people are able to give. We’ll come around with hats after the show and people can Venmo us.” Excerpts from Cotati website: In the Spring of 1998 Jason Webley quit his day job, picked up his accordion, and hopped onto a Greyhound bus with the intention of playing in the streets until his money ran out. Nearly ten years, five albums and over a dozen countries later, Webley is still rambling across state lines and howling at the tomato moon. Along the way, Webley has garnered devoted fans everywhere from Moscow to Mexico City Webley appears like a back alley prophet in layers of baggy clothes, a trench coat and an old porkpie hat; he leaps onto stages, window ledges and bartops, feverishly pumping the bellows and stomping out the beat while roaring and whispering in his passionate, gravelly baritone. His music – a mix of gypsy, folk and punk – traverses age and social background, drawing grandparents, children, punks, drunks, and lovers into the fold. As a Seattle Weekly critic observed, “sixteen-year-old Goths, parents with little kids, aging hippies and fellow musicians – all can be seen at his concerts.” Webley’s shows are often much more than musical events. Stories, puppet shows and sing-alongs fill the spaces between songs. In one moment, spellbound by Webley’s lyrical verse and mysterious air, the audience will be so quiet you can hear a feather fall; in the next, the entire room will erupt into a giant tickle fight. Playful abandon and childlike frivolity are contagious. Everyone laughs. Some people cry. And, almost every show ends with the entire audience, swaying arm-in-arm, singing at the top of their lungs. Beyond the accordion, Webley plays a variety of instruments – guitar, piano, and his trademark percussion instrument – a plastic vodka bottle full of coins gathered around the world. With degrees in sound engineering and theater, he produces all of his own albums and builds most of the elaborate props for his shows himself. The lino-cut prints that adorn several of his album covers and t-shirts are also carved by his own hand. Webley has kept a busy schedule touring most of the year. In addition to venues across the US and Canada, he travels frequently to Europe and Russia (he has become something of a minor celebrity in Moscow). He has also began his own record label, Eleven Records, and started a series of eleven collaborative records with his many musician friends around the the world. These have included recordings with The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls, as well as his single “Eleven Saints” whose animated video has been a small internet senation, winning the attention of cult radio hero Dr. Demento and fantasy author Neil Gaiman In 2008, Webley released his fifth full length album The Cost of Living. The new album features the members of his touring group, Michael McQuilken, Jherek Bischoff and Alex Guy. Jason Webley has shared the stage with The Dresden Dolls, Devothcka, Regina Spektor, Architcture in Helsinki, The Avett Brothers, The Faint, Damien Jurado, Against Me, Laura Veirs, and Deerhoof. He has toured Australia, Russia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, the Ukraine and many other countries, and has performed in hundreds of venues including The Great American Music Hall, CBGBs, the Gilman Street Project, Burning Man and the Glastonbury Festival. Upcoming 2023 performances include: Sept 1 - Canton, MO - Mississippi Park Sept 2 - Quincy, IL - Bicentennial Park Sept 3 - Hannibal, MO - TBA Sept 4 - Louisiana, MO - Riverfront Park Sept 6 - Grafton, IL - Port of Grafton Sept 7 - Alton, IL - TBA Sept 8 - Saint Louis, MO - TBA Sept 9 - Saint Louis, MO - TBA Sept 10 - Saint Louis, MO - TBA Photo courtesy of Nathanael Bennett For further information: jason@jasonwebley.com info@rivercircus.com |