![Jacques Mornet's [non] Method Book with Video Support](http://www.accordions.com/index/squ/graphics/jmornet-en.jpg)
Yellow Pages Events
Highlights |
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USA
Willard Palmer Legacy: February at the World of Accordions Museum
Accordion-YellowPages.com Free Listing of Accordion Events - Cyberspace
Mumford & Sons Nominated for 5 Grammy Awards
Hunter Hayes Receives Grammy Nominations
Skeets Langley is Inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame
New England Roland Digital Accordion Orchestra
AAA Coupe Mondiale Qualifying Competitions on March 16 in NJ
The Amazing Accordion Kings in Concert in New York
3rd Accordion Cocktail Concert in Miami on January 6
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Many Groups Featuring Accordionists Nominated for Grammy Awards
Dan "Daddy Squeeze" Newton to Release 2 New CD's In January
Video: Vivant! Having Fun on a Christmas Gig with Santa - Kansas City
2013 AAMS Weekend of Workshops & Festival
Dr. William Schimmel Winds Up a Busy Year
Video Documentary: How Its Made, Diatonic Accordion
A Month of Accordion Celebrations in Maryland, DC and Virginia!
Cory Pesaturo in 2013
AAA Master Class and Concert Series July 26-28
Video: Ipad Hohner App Technology
Future events |
AAMS to Honor Beverly Roberts Curnow in March
MAMTG Accordion Competitions, March 15-17th, New Jersey
"Nine Decades of the Accordion in the Media"
Accordion-O-Rama Concert in Minnesota on January 19
AbsolutAccord in Concert on January 6 in California
San Francisco Accordion Chamber Ensemble Concert on January 13
11th Annual Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Fund Event on April 21
January 20th, 2013: Accordion Babes to Perform at SFAC
Highlights |
Editor's Note: Happy New Year!by Rita Barnea |
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 On behalf of the AWW Staff, I welcome all accordion enthusiasts to 2013, another exciting year of accordion activities. We hope you will enjoy the articles and our new feature of videos that will bring you up to date information on all types of accordionists, festivals, instruments, and much more! The website provides a search engine, "Search on site" on the top left of each issue. Additionally, all publications are archived and easily accessible. Refer to "Past News Index" at the top of each publication. Please remember to submit, for possible publication, your association's or your own information/videos. Here are directions for submitting a video to the USA News: If you have any interesting concerts of new compositions for accordion, new performers (such as a new trio or orchestra), or new arrangements, competition winners, something unusual, then we would like to have a video of that performance. You may send videos to us in three ways for possible publication: 1. We can supply you with a youtube address to upload the video to. 2. You can upload to your own youtube address. 3. Using your browser, you can send the video file from the camera direct to a dropbox: Write to Rita Davidson at Ritabelll@aol.com for the dropbox address. Please email: Ritabelll@aol.com when you upload a video to dropbox so we know to look for the video. Youtube video upload site information: www.youtube.com Username: harleyaccordion Password: AccordionsWorldwide Videos must be submitted before the 25th of the month to allow time for possible editing. Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy Accordion New Year! |
Octoberfest Las Vegas International Accordion Festival Ready to Start - USAby Heather Masefield, Secretary, New Zealand Accordion Association |
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  I am writing this on the plane flying internationally to Las Vegas for the Octoberfest Las Vegas International from 15th to 18th October at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. Paul Betken & Jerry Cigler are newly added to a great line up of stars (list below) with lots of great seats still available! Want to hop a plane to come and enjoy this exciting festival? Newsletter (picture right) with full information: 2018LVACnews.pdf Picture left: Event organizer Paul Pasquali The lineup starts with visionary accordionist Cory Pesaturo and bookends with a grand finale starring Grayson Masefield and the International Accordion Orchestra under the direction of the legendary Prof. Joan Sommers. You can register online at www.AccordionStars.com or contact Paul Pasquali, event organizer, by phone at 1-800-472-1695 or (801) 485-5840, email: paul@accordioninfo.com. |
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Willard Palmer Legacy: February at the World of Accordions Museumby Rita Barnea |
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 A World of Accordions Museum in Superior, Wisconsin announces with pride and great pleasure the February 2nd and 3rd opening of their new display: “The Willard Palmer Legacy.” Located in the Duane Sellman Special Exhibits Area of the Hanni Strahl Concert Hall, this exhibit spotlights a man whose accomplishments are unequaled in the accordion world and whose influence touches virtually every American accordionist. Each of the five major displays already present in this area represent compilations located throughout the museum: Charles Magnante’s Musical Estate, the Hugo Herrmann Collection, Pietro Frosini Collection, the Deiro Brothers Performance Accordions, and Great Russian Bayanists. The focal center of the Palmer display is his last accordion, the Titano Emperor Super V. This piano accordion is a double converter with sustaining pedal basses, which is the same model used by 2009 World Champion Grayson Masefield to win international competitions. Instrumental in the acquisition is Willard Palmer, III, who plans to attend this 96th anniversary of his father’s birthday. During this weekend, the following musicians will offer presentations/concerts: Bernard Mateo of Paris, Pauline Olivera, Claudee Schmitt, and Bill Palmer III. More great performers and details will be announced in the February USA news. A world renowned musician, scholar and music teacher, Dr. Willard Palmer wrote 789 published works, including an accordion method, several piano methods, a method for Hammond Chord Organ, a guitar method, hundreds of solo pieces and many choral works, many of which have been translated into German, Japanese, French, Dutch and Spanish. He was also the choir director of Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas for many years. Dr. Palmer was a child prodigy; he played the piano on the radio at age 13 and studied piano and accordion, which were to form the basis of his musical endeavors. He was a piano student of Mae Vardeman, who encouraged and nurtured his ability to improvise by teaching him the fundamentals of correct piano technique. During his college years at Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi and Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, he continued to play the accordion and piano on radio shows and in various ensembles on and off campus. After receiving his Bachelor's degree from Millsaps, he studied at the Conservatory of Leipzig, Germany, on a two-year scholarship. He did post-graduate work at the University of Houston and joined their music faculty, teaching the first successful college courses in accordion for 18 years. A meticulous scholar, Dr. Palmer's later years were dedicated to research in Classical and Baroque music and teaching methods. Recognized worldwide as an authority on Baroque music ornamentation, his work in this field was the basis of the highly acclaimed Alfred Masterworks series of publications. In recognition of his achievements in the field of musicological research, he was awarded a Doctor of Humanities degree in 1971 and a Doctor of Music degree in 1983. A director of the Riemenschneider Bach Institute, Dr. Palmer was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local #65, the American Accordionists' Association and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. He is also a co-author of Alfred's Basic Piano Library with Morton Manus and Amanda Vick Lethco. Dr. Palmer, who passed away on April 30, 1996, was beloved by many in the music field. A World of Accordions, which opened in 2004, has about 1,700 accordions and chronicles the world history of the instrument. Music scholars from as far away as Austria have come to use the museum's archives. Some of the world's finest accordionists have performed in the Harrington Art Center's 1,000-seat concert hall. The building also houses the nation's only technical college program for accordion and concertina repair. The museum is open Mon-Tues-Wed, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, most weeks of the year. If traveling from a distance, calling in advance is recommended Phone: 715-395-2787 [ARTS] For further information: accordion@sprynet.com |
Accordion-YellowPages.com Free Listing of Accordion Events - Cyberspaceby Harley Jones |
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| All concert, competition and festival organizers are reminded to list their Future Events for 2013 in the Accordion-YellowPages.com website. Its free to list and you can do it yourself. You can also change and update your listing yourself as further information becomes available. The Accordion-YellowPages.com Future Events calendar displays at the top right hand side of this Weekly News of accordions.com in all 7 languages and also on the USA News, Diatonic News and Russia News. Huge numbers of readers, more than 50,000 per week, view the Future Events calendar display, so all accordion event organizers are reminded to take full advantage of this free service to keep the accordion community informed. Any internet challenged organizers may email their event details: harleyaccordion@yahoo.com |
Mumford & Sons Nominated for 5 Grammy Awardsby Rita Barnea |
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 The 2013 Grammy Awards nominees were announced on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, as part of “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!” telecast from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.Kanye West, Jay-Z, Frank Ocean, Mumford & Sons, fun. and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys all tied for the most nominations, 5 nominations for each! Mumford & Sons were nominated in the following categories: Album of the Year - "Babel" Best Rock Performance - "I Will Wait" Best Rock Song - "I Will Wait" Best Americana Album - "Babel" Best Song Written For Visual Media - "Learn Me Right (From Brave)" Best Long Form Music Video - "Big Easy Express" Mumford & Sons are an English rock band. The band consists of Marcus Mumford (vocals, guitar, drums, mandolin), Ben Lovett (vocals, keyboards, accordion, drums), "Country" Winston Marshall (vocals, banjo, dobro, guitar), and Ted Dwane (vocals, string bass, drums, guitar). Mumford & Sons formed in December 2007, emerging out of what some in the media labeled the "West London folk scene" with other artists such as Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn and Noah and the Whale. Keyboard and accordion player Ben Lovett met Marcus Mumford sometime around third grade at the King's College School, a private school in Wimbledon attended by John Barrymore and Charles Dickens Jr. Mumford played rugby and soccer and acted in school musicals (he played the Artful Dodger in "Oliver"; Lovett was a classically trained pianist who also played in several bands. Together they started a six-man free-jazz group called Détente – but when a friend of Mumford's older brother made him a bluegrass mixtape near the end of high school, Mumford became obsessed and started writing those kinds of songs instead. The band name, "Mumford & Sons" originates from the fact that Marcus Mumford was the most visible member, organizing the band and their performances. Lovett indicated that the name was meant to invoke the sense of an "antiquated family business name".A handful of similar bands were increasing their visibility in West London around the same time, giving rise to the label "West London folk scene". Mumford downplays that characterization as an exaggeration—Mumford & Sons and a few other folk acts just happened to be operating in general area at the time. In an interview with the Herald Sun, Marcus Mumford said, "It's not folk really. Well, some of it is, and it's certainly not a scene. Someone got over-excited about a few bands who live in a hundred-mile radius and put it in a box to sell it as a package. It's a community, not a scene. It's not exclusive." Having developed in the same musical and cultural environment, Mumford & Sons' sound has been compared to that of artists such as Noah and the Whale, The Avett Brothers, Johnny Flynn, and Laura Marling, for whom Marcus Mumford used to drum. Mumford & Sons continued to grow in popularity in 2011, winning several major awards and headlining larger shows and festivals. In February 2011, they received a European Border Breakers Award for their international success.They received a Brit Award for British Album of the Year with Sigh No More and performed "Timshel" at the ceremony. UK sales of the album subsequently increased by 266 percent.While touring the United States in early 2011, the band began writing songs for the follow-up album. Keyboardist Ben Lovett credited the creative atmosphere of Nashville, Tennessee with easing the songwriting process. Mumford & Sons played at the Glastonbury festival on Friday 24 June 2011, and then embarked on a North American tour. Mumford & Sons have recorded two songs for Andrea Arnold's adaptation of "Wuthering Heights", one of which (entitled "Enemy") will be played over the closing credits.Through 2011, the band continued to 'road test' songs from their upcoming album, many of which had been written before and during the writing of Sigh No More. In June 2012, Mumford & Sons contributed a song "Learn Me Right" with Birdy to the Pixar film "Brave", which came to be called "Not with Haste". Soundtrack.On 16 July 2012, Mumford & Sons officially announced the details of their second studio album Babel, including the release date of 24 September 2012 and a track listing of 12 songs. A deluxe edition containing three exclusive songs was also announced. A week later, the album became available for pre-order. The lead single "I Will Wait" premiered on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show on Tuesday 7 August.On 29 August 2012, Mumford & Sons recorded their live performance of "I Will Wait" at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.The performance was released on 9 September as the bands official video for the song. On 22 September 2012, the band performed two songs from the new album, "I Will Wait" and "Below My Feet", on Saturday Night Live. Mumford & Sons' second album "Babel" debuted at number one on the UK Album Chart and the US Billboard 200.It became the fastest selling album of 2012 in the UK, selling over 158,000 copies in its first week, and was the biggest selling debut of any album in 2012 in the US, selling 600,000 in its first week and over a million worldwide.In November 2012, Mumford & Sons released their 2013 East Coast tour, which includes stops in Boston, New York and Fairfax, Va. in February 2013. The 55th Annual Grammy Awards will take place Feb. 10, 2013 at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Like the nominations, CBS will broadcast the awards show. According to the Grammys, the award telecast brought in 39.9 million viewers last year -- the largest TV audience since 1984. The Twitterverse counted 160,341 tweets per minute during the broadcast. |
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Hunter Hayes Receives Grammy Nominationsby Rita Barnea |
Hunter Hayes nominated song 'Wanted'
 Hunter Hayes, receiving nominations in three categories, was announced as a Best New Artist nominee for the 2013 Grammy Awards after his performance at the The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! held at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday night (December 5) in Nashville, Tenn.Hunter is up against Alabama Shakes, FUN., The Lumineers and Frank Ocean. He also received nominations for Best Country Album, "Hunter Hayes" and Best Country Solo Performance for "Wanted". 21 year old Hunter Hayes is nominated along with Eric Church for ‘Springsteen’, Dierks Bentley for ‘Home’,Ronnie Dunn for ‘Cost of Livin’, Blake Shelton for ‘Home’ and Carrie Underwood for ‘Blown Away’.Hunter is tied with Taylor Swift for the most country music nominations. Singing “Jambalaya” with Hank Williams Jr. in front of 200,000 people (11 million YouTube views) at the age of four; appearing with Robert Duvall (who gave Hunter his first guitar) in “The Apostle” at the age of six; playing with Johnny and June Cash, and Charlie Daniels at a BBQ; performing for President Clinton and many more. those experiences are simply the natural result of Hunter’s prodigal talent, one that’s been there from the beginning and one that he’s always conscious to be in service to. Having moved to Nashville, Hayes was quickly signed to Universal Music Publishing Group where he co-wrote songs for Rascal Flatts and Montgomery Gentry. At the same time, he was introduced to Atlantic Records’ Chairman/CEO and music visionary Craig Kallman, who he signed with at Atlantic Records. “I’m blessed to be surrounded by people who appreciate music and support what I do. Atlantic Records Nashville released his debut single "Storm Warning" on May 16th, 2011. His self titled album was released on October 11, 2011. Hunter Hayes was born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana in 1991, Hunter has been making music since about the time he learned to walk. “By the time I was almost two, I was picking up everything and making an instrument out of it. My grandmother gave me a toy accordion for my second birthday and I immediately began picking up Cajun songs by ear from the radio.” While both of Hunter’s parents are music lovers, neither are musicians, so as he says, “The way I picked up music was out of left field, but, I suppose, a pleasant surprise for them.”For the Hayes’, most Friday nights in the early part of Hunter’s childhood were spent at a Cajun restaurant near their home that featured live music, and it was there where Hunter joined his first band at the age of four, first as the accordionist, and then as the front man at the age of five. Taking up guitar at the age of 6, Hunter’s ability to pick up instruments (including bass guitar, drums, keyboards, and more) became evident. He says, “I’ve never had the patience to sit down and learn from anyone. So with the guitar, and with every subsequent instrument and piece of studio equipment, it’s been a process of experimentation – pressing every button I can.” Songwriting, too, has been a constant undertaking of Hunter’s. “I wrote my first song at 6,” he recalls, “I spent every day with the guitar and I just made up songs.” Hunter’s songwriting has been informed by an eclectic grouping of influences. “When I was really young, Garth Brooks was enormous, and I was a huge fan. I always loved LeAnn Rimes and especially Clint Black for his soulfulness. As I’ve gotten older, my influences have broadened – John Mayer, Michael Buble, Stevie Wonder, Keith Urban, Stevie Ray Vaughn, the Beatles – all of these artists have somehow been a part of my development as a songwriter.” Like playing and songwriting, performing has become almost second nature to Hunter who has shared the stage with Hank Williams, Jr, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Leann Rimes, and Lady Antebellum . “I’ve been doing at least thirty dates a year for the past fifteen years. I’ve done a lot of the festivals several times and built up relationships with the people that go every year. Hunter said, “Music is a spirit. It heals. It’s an amazing thing to be loved and appreciated, and sometimes, music has not just been my best friend, it’s been my only friend.” I want people to say about me, ‘I know he’s making music because he loves it.’” The 55th Annual Grammy Awards will take place Feb. 10, 2013 at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Like the nominations, CBS will broadcast the awards show. |
Skeets Langley is Inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fameby Rita Barnea |
 Accordionist Leonard "Skeets" Langley was one of six honorees who were inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (MMHOF) on November 2, 2012 t the 24th Annual Induction Ceremony and Banquet at Turner Hall.The other inductees were the folk and blues trio Koerner, Ray, and Glover; LeRoy Glazier, the late country western guitarist; Jerry Minar, concertina and accordion virtuoso; country rock band Canoise; The Chord-Ayers. Langley, a retired music educator after 34 years in the Robbinsdale School District, is a graduate of Augsburg College, Minneapolis, and received a Master’s Degree in music education from MacPhail College of Music. He started playing the accordion at the age of six, studying with Larry Malmberg and entered his first accordion contest three years later. Langley won the American Accordionists Association national championship for his age group in 1962, earning the chance to represent the association and the United States in world competition in Prague, Czech Republic, where he placed second. The next year, 1963, Langley qualified for the international event again, this time in Baden-Baden, Germany, where he entered the Confederation Internationale des Accodeonistes (CIA) winning the coveted first place trophy against more than twenty countries. Langley has performed in concert with the world renowned opera singer, the late Luciano Pavarotti. He lives in Champlin with his wife Rosemary. They have two married sons and four grandchildren. The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame is located at First North Street and Broadway in New Ulm, Minnesota, USA, in the former public library. It has memorabilia of individual musicians and musical groups as well as photographs of all who have been inducted. The museum is open during the summer months and by special request during the winter. Exhibits honor Minnesota music legends like Bob Dylan, Judy Garland, Prince, Eddie Cochran, Bobby Vee, Ervin Wolfe, Whoopee John Wilfahrt, Harold Loeffelmacher, Earl Schmidt and The Andrews Sisters. It also documents local ethnic music like the popularity of polka music in rural Minnesota. Each year new inductees are added at a dinner ceremony in October. |
New England Roland Digital Accordion Orchestraby Rita Barnea |
 Roland U.S.A. is happy to announce the forming of the 1st United States Digital AccordionOrchestra. Sam Falcetti (picture left), from Springfield, Ma., has organized a New England Roland V Accordion Orchestra with over 25 players including champions, semi-pro’s, students and accordion hobbyists. This orchestra will be complimented by drummers, percussionists, rhythm guitar and vocalists and will include four Roland U.S.Champions: Daniel Pavlotsky and Ollie Luey, Junior Division Winners, and also Christopher Gorton and Danielle Renzi, Senior Division Winners. Can you just imagine an accordion orchestra with strings, woodwinds, brass and reed sections plus the wonderful sound of the accordion. During his career Mr. Falcetti has conducted the Springfield Accordion Orchestra on tour in Japan, Italy, New Zealand, and the United States. He also directed this Orchestra on National TV on the David Frost Show with Roberta Flack. In the 1980’s his Westfield State College Accordion Ensemble had the honor of performing twice at Carnegie Hall. To celebrate both Falcetti Music and the Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts 50th Anniversary Sam, along with his son Michael, conducted a 50 piece Orchestra. After adjudicating at Roland’s 5th International V Accordion Festival in Rome, Italy in October of 2011, Sam was convinced that this incredible instrument was deserving of the creating of a digital accordion orchestra. According to Sam Falcetti, this new orchestra will begin rehearsals in February 2013 and plans to have their premier performance in the Festival Band category at the New England Music’s 51st Festival at the Newton Marriott in Newton Mass. on the weekend of April 5, 2013. For information or to join this prestigious group email: peggyf1944@gmail.com |
AAA Coupe Mondiale Qualifying Competitions on March 16 in NJby Rita Barnea |
 In a break from tradition, the American Accordionists' Association (AAA) Coupe Mondiale qualifying competitions will not be held during their annual August festival. For 2013, the Coupe Mondiale qualifying competitions will be held on March 16, 2013 at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany, NJ. Because the Coupe Mondiale will be held in Victoria, BC just a few days after the AAA Festival in August, the AAA has arranged to host the qualifying events during the MAMTG Festival in March giving candidates sufficient time to prepare for the Coupe Mondiale in August. Attachment for rules and category information: 2013AAA_Coupe.pdf Plans are moving forward for the 75th Anniversary in New York City, August 14-18, 2013 at The New Yorker Hotel. For reservations: 1-800-764-4680 - call between 8-5 EST for best results. Please mention American Accordionists' Association and NOT AAA . Reduced room rates are $179 per night. For additional information: contact the AAA office at ameraccord1938@gmail.com OR Mary Tokarski for individual category entry forms – mary.tokarski@comcast.net or call 203-484-5095. Address: 15 Maplewood Lane, Northford, CT 06472. |
The Amazing Accordion Kings in Concert in New Yorkby Rita Barnea |
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| The Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) sponsored by La Villini Restaurant presents an evening of accordion music and featured guest artists – The “Amazing Accordion Kings” on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 7:PM. What happens when three Brilliant Accordionists get together on one stage in a collaboration created to ignite and excite your senses? The world renowned Accordionists, Angelo DiPippo, Frank Toscano and Manny Corallo, Three Master Musicians, have created beautiful arrangements and cover the spectrum from opera to jazz with amazing dexterity and virtuosity, often moving with flashing, lightning speed solos and blazing phrases played by all in precise unison. Come see and listen to the Amazing Accordion Kings and experience the most passionate emotions and colorful music from around the world, taking you on a Musical Tour of Italy with side trips to Germany, Hungary, Brazil, Spain, Ireland, Poland, Paris, Arabia and American Jazz. Angelo DiPippo is one of the work's fantastically talented musicians who just happens to play accordion. From Garden City, NY, the legendary Angelo Di Pippo has played the accordion since the age of eight years old and is a graduate of Holy Cross College with a Master's degree from C.W. Post College and an honorary Doctorate from Five Towns College. He has played in thousands of recording sessions. Over the years, Angelo has recorded and concertized with many famous artists such as Peggy Leee, Harry Belefonte, Frankie Avalon, etc. He has also appeared on the Tonight Show, the Today Show and many more. He can be seen and heard in films such as the wedding scene in "The Godfather". Angelo is an accomplished arranger and conductor. For over twenty years he conducted and arranged for the Metropolitan Opera baritone Robert Merrill. Today Angelo is actively arranging and performing in the New York area. Frank Toscano has made music his entire life. For more than 47 years, Frank has been a music educator and professional musician. For over four decades, he headed the "Frank Toscano School of Music". Born and raised in New York, Frank came from an Italian family who valued the idea of music being played constantly in the house.Without a choice from his father, Frank took lessons on the accordion from Emilio Chiesa and never dreamed that it would become the passion of his life! Frank's passion is both education and performing. He is an accomplished pianist, accordionist, and jazz artist. He can be heard on many recordings of other artists too numerous to mention. You can hear Frank arranging and performing on his recording, "Accordion to Frank" as well as "Accordion Kings" I and !!. Composer, arranger and music editor Manny Corallo started at age four playing the drums and soon switched to the accordion. Manny took lessons from his father's accordion teacher. At age 13 he also began piano lessons with Frank and gone on to compose and arrange music, first for commercials and then for various artists. Manny then had a chance to score childrens cartoons which led him to scoring music for the movie, "Pokemon". Manny attributes his success to a great music education from Frank Toscano and is very proud of his musical relationship with Frank and Angelo as the Accordion Kings. Future performances of the Amazing Accordion Kings also include their concert on February 17, 2013 at 2:PM at the Dix Hill Performing Arts Center at Five Towns College in Staten Island, NY. The February meeting of the Long Island Accordion Alliance will feature Croation accordionist, Paolo Bellaich. For a fantastic evening of music please join the Accordion Kings on Tuesday, January 2, 2013 at 7:PM at La Villini Resaurant in East Northport, New York. Reservations are recommended. Call: 631-261-6344. For more information on the LIAA: dkarcic10@verizon.net For more information on the Amazing Accordion Kings: franktee@amazingaccordionkings.com |
3rd Accordion Cocktail Concert in Miami on January 6by Rita Barnea |
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| The Third Annual Accordion Cocktail Concert will be held on Sunday, January 6th at 3:PM at the Renaissance Ballroom, 5910 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida. The concert is presented by Maricarmen Vazquez, the Florida Accordion Association, and the Miami Dade Ambassador. This exciting concert has an eclectic mix of accordion styles featuring: Alex Meixner of Palm City, Florida; Michael Bridge of Toronto, Canada; Maricarmen Vazquez of Miami; Mario Pedone of Houston, Texas; Jose Victor and his Vallenato Show of Colombia, and Luis Espindola of Puerto Rico. Walter Martinez and "Violines del Sol" will also entertain. The Master of Ceremonies is Nikki Conde. Admission is $25.00 which includes free parking and appetizers. For reservations call: Maricarmen 305-283-1543 or Renaissance Ballroom at 305-261-2001 |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Tutor Book Review: Jacques Mornet (non) Method For Buttons or Piano Keyboard, Volume 1 - Franceby Harley Jones |
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 Review: This is both a tutor book and a teachers manual, author being the famous French accordion teacher Jacques Mornet. It combines color, excellent graphics with full video support.On the Jacques Mornet website, you can read in French and English the (non) method basis of his teaching successes by this master teacher of accordion who has had so many international competition successes. The features of the book are: - For buttons or piano keyboard, B and C systems, bayan etc.; - Equally applicable for both acoustic accordion or digital accordion; - Full video support: 2 DVD video with 4 hours 20 mins of video with subtitles in English, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, German and Spanish; - 84 pages, color print, superb easy to follow pictures / graphics; - Jacques Mornet has developed a teaching technique, inspired by the wind instruments (especially saxophone) that is innovative and focuses in detail on so many important factors of accordion performance ie: pre-tension, bellows and air compression, legato, rapid technique, touch etc etc.. The price of €49 (or US$ equivalent) might seem a lot until you appreciate there are 84 color pages with full video support (4 hours 20 mins of video) and a lifetime of expert teaching knowledge and ideas. This is a MUST HAVE book for every teacher of accordion. Available online at: Jacques Mornet |
Many Groups Featuring Accordionists Nominated for Grammy Awardsby Rita Barnea |
  The 2013 Grammy Awards nominees were announced on Wednesday, December 5, 2013 as part of “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!” telecast from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The nominees for the 55th Grammy Awards included some familiar Louisiana faces who were nominated in several categories. In the Best Regional Roots album category, Corey Ledet (pictured left) & His Zydeco Band earned a nomination for Nothin' But the Best, as did supergroup trio Wayne Toups, Steve Riley and Wilson Savoy (pictured right) for their The Band Courtbouillon. The complete list of nominees in this category are: Best Regional Roots Music Album Malama Ko Aloha (Keep Your Love) – Keola Beamer Shi Kéyah Songs For The People – Radmilla Cody Pilialoha – Weldon Kekauoha Nothin’ But The Best – Corey Ledet With Anthony Dopsie, Dwayne Dopsie And André Thierry The Band Courtbouillon – Wayne Toups, Steve Riley & Wilson Savoy The Grammy Awards will take place on February 10, 2013. |
Dan "Daddy Squeeze" Newton to Release 2 New CD's In Januaryby Rita Barnea |
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| Accordionist Dan "Daddy Squeeze" Newton has two new CDs available now. Cafe Accordion Orchestra will release their 9th album "La Zingara", a collection of tunes reflecting various Gypsy lifestyles featuring guest vocalist Diane Jarvi and clarinetist Tony Balluff on 4 tracks. The recording features great music from France, Greece, Mexico, Venezuela, Cabo Verde, Finland and the US. Members of CAO, Cafe Accordion Orchestra are Dan Newton (accordion, vocals), Eric Mohring (mandolin, violin and vocals), Erik Lillestol (bass and vocals}, Robert Bell (guitar and vocals) and Joe Steinger (percussion). CAO has been delighting audiences and dancers alike since 1995. They have appeared in New York at the Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing series, the International Akkordeon Festival in Vienna, Austria, the Minnesota State Fair, as well as festivals, theaters and dance halls across the United States. Dan is also releasing a new solo album "Daddy Squeeze Solo" which includes 11 tracks of just accordion with vocal, featuring original and traditional blues, jug band, rags and novelty tunes. Dan “Daddy Squeeze” Newton has been entertaining audiences with his vast repertoire and creative accordion style for over 30 years. He is a talented composer and arranger who has produced over 25 recordings and has appeared at many festivals across the USA and also in Finland, Canada, and Austria. He has performed at Lincoln Center in New York City, Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., The Winnipeg Folk Festival and is a frequent guest on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. Dan spends most of his time playing accordion with his group Café Accordion Orchestra, performing vintage Swing, Latin, American, and French Café music. Dan leads a number of bands including Jumbo Ya Ya, Rockin’ Pinecones, The Daddy Squeeze Band and The Hula Peppers. drawing influences for songs and tunes from French Musette, Gypsy Swing, Cajun, Jug band, Tex-Mex and Cumbia. 2 Cafe Accordion Orchestra Concerts are planned for for the New Year. On New Year’s Eve CAO shared the stage at the Sheldon Theater in Red Wing, MN with Monroe Crossing, the region’s top bluegrass outfit with sell out shows all over the state of Minnesota. On January 12, CAO returns to the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis for their 8th annual concert there celebrating the release of their new album "La Zingara" with Diane Jarvi and Tony Balluff as special guests. Additional January performances include: Tuesday, January 1 New Year's Day Cafe Accordion Orchestra @ The Loring Pasta Bar , Minneapolis 6-9pm Wednesday, January 2 7:30 pm -9:30 pm : Daddy Squeeze@ Dunn Bros On Grand, St Paul Monday, January 7 Daddy Squeeze @ Amsterdam Bar, St Paul 9-11:30pm Tuesday, January 8 Cafe Accordion Orchestra @ The Loring Pasta Bar , Minneapolis 6-9pm Saturday, January 12 CAO's CD release concert @ The Cedar Cultural Center, Mpls 8pm Tuesday, January 15 Cafe Accordion Orchestra @ The Loring Pasta Bar , Minneapolis 6-9pm Tuesday, January 22 Cafe Accordion Orchestra @ The Loring Pasta Bar , Minneapolis 6-9pm Thursday, January 24 Daddy Squeeze House Concert in Arcata, CA Friday, January 25 Daddy Squeeze at Garagiste Healdsburg, CA 6-8pm Saturday, January 26 Daddy Squeeze and Friends @ Hill House Inn, Mendocino, CA 7:30pm Sunday, January 27 Private Event, San Francisco, CA Monday, January 28 Daddy Squeeze Solo Tour in California. Time and Venue TBD Tuesday, January 29 Daddy Squeeze Solo Tour in California. Time and Venue TBD Wednesday, January 30 Daddy Squeeze Solo Tour in California. Time and Venue TBD Thursday, January 31 Daddy Squeeze @ Lagunitas Brewery, Petaluma CA 4:30-7:30pm Dan performs as a soloist and in bands of all sizes for dances, receptions, concerts, parties and recording session providing music in various styles including rockin' blues and Zydeco, swingin' hillbilly jazz, elegant French and continental sounds, plus ethnic music such as Celtic, British, Latin rhythms, square and contra-dance, Cajun, jugband and old-time polka sounds. Dan also gives accordion lessons via Skype. For further information: Telephone: (651) 488-1174 Email: daddysqueeze@yahoo.com |
Video: Vivant! Having Fun on a Christmas Gig with Santa - Kansas Cityby Harley Jones |
| Jingle Bells Mambo by Vivant! a Mixed Ensemble with accordion, published on Dec 16, 2012. In the above video, Vivant! are having fun on a Christmas Gig with Santa. Leader of the group is well known accordionist, composer and arranger Karen Fremar (accordion/keyboards), Janne Silfverberg (bells/congas), Brian Steever (drums), Julie Silfverberg (accordion) and..."Santa" sitting in on Dee Sligar's Bass. |
2013 AAMS Weekend of Workshops & Festivalby Rita Barnea |
| Accordionists are gearing up for the 2013 AAMS “Weekend of Workshops & Festival”. Fourteen Workshops which begin on Friday Evening March 15, 2013 and go thru Sunday 3:PM March 17, 2013 are planned. Due to growing attendance, all workshops will be held in the significant larger room called “The Gallery”. Displays will be held in Salon B. All events will be held at the Hanover Marriott – 1401 Route 10 East, Whippany, NJ. Bring your accordion if you wish, in order to actively participate in learning new techniques during at least 6 of the workshops. If you are more comfortable observing rather than actively participating in these particular workshops, you are more than welcome to attend with or without your accordion. The Spectacular Gala Banquet and Concert will honor World Champion – Beverly Roberts Curnow. See article in this issue. Workshop presenters include: Suzy & Sam Andrews:“The Colors of Music” Bernie Gardzalla: Bass Bonanza” Extended Chord Combination for the Left Hand" Jim Vandelly:“Try the Bayan & Learn the Triple & Ricochet Bellow Shakes” Dr. Marion Jacobson: Author of "Squeeze This!" Stanley & Joanna Darrow: **"Practice Techniques" Dean Ratzin &Bob Lijana: Life and Times of “Pietro Deiro”—Daddy of the Accordion Mary Tokarski: “Growing Up with the GREATS” Part 2 Joan Grauman (SqueezinArt): “Playing Ethnic Music Authentically” Part 2” Lenn Feldmann: “How to make a V Accordion SING” Dallas Vietty: **“Swing Musette & Gypsy Jazz” Silvia Eberly: "Learn to play the Styrische & Handharmonika, Learn to read the special notation." Frank Hodnicki & Dr. Lou Persic: "Stylistic differences in Polkas & Polka Performers" Part 2 Rocco Jerry: "New Accordion+Cello Music by Max Simoncic" Alex Chudolij (Music Magic Accordions USA): "Expansion through MIDI" Guenadiy Lazarov (Accordion Gallery):“Tender Loving Care for the Love of your Life”Part 2 Bruce Gassmann:"Classical Music & Classic Rock - Perfect Together" !!! **Bring your accordion for class participation if you wish to. The Gala Banquet and Concert will include the Accordion Pops Orchestra conducted by Al Terzo; Potomac Accordion Ensemble conducted by Joan Graumann; AAMS Honoree Beverly Roberts Curnow; Albert Manginelli 2012 United States Champion; Cody McSherry; Mary Tokarski; Dr. Lou Persic; Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra conducted by Stan Darro, and the Westmont Accordion Club conducted by Joanna Darrow. Lenny Feldmann will be the Master of Ceremonies.This event is presented in conduction with the Mid Atlantic Music Teachers Guild. It is encouraged that Banquet Tickets be purchased prior to March 1, 2013. Pre-Registration for the 3 day Workshop Pass offers a $10.00 savings if purchased prior to February 1, 2013. Concert Tickets may be purchased separately from the Banquet. When making hotel reservations please mention the Mid Atlantic Music Teachers Guild for a special convention rate. This event is held in conjunction with the Mid Atlantic Music Teachers Guild. Do not miss this exciting event. For information on the workshops to be presented, please email: Joanna Arnold Darrow or call 856-854-6628 For Mariott Hotel Reservations: 973-538-8811 |
Dr. William Schimmel Winds Up a Busy Yearby Rita Barnea |
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| Dr. William Schimmel was involved in many interesting musical activities during 2012 including: November 30: He appeared with Corn Mo performing Schubert's "An Die Musik" at a special benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Sandy at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC. December 1: He appeared with Soprano Christine Fontanellin in her annual Christmas show at Symphony Space in New York. Dr. Schimmel performed his own controversial rendition of "La Danza" by Rossini. December 6: He hosted a radio show on WWFM, New Jersey in a broadcast of his appearance at the Cape May Music Festival last summer. The performers were Ariadne Grief, Soprano and members of the New York Chamber Ensemble under the leadership of Alan Kay. December 13: He appeared at the Phillips Collection Gallery in Washington, DC in a special concert of music by Matthais Pintscher sponsored by the the International Contemporary Ensemble. ON DECEMBER 14,15,16 AND 17, DR. Schimmel recorded the accordion solos for a new film version of "La Boheme (THE BOHEMIANS") which will be released in 2013.. The film is filmed in the Willaimsburg section of Brooklyn, New York. The music is adapted by Edy Lan. On December 17, Dr. Schimmel performed "Pinsk and Blue" for accordion and piano by Russian composer Alla Borzova in a concert of women composers at Leiderkranz Hall in NY with the composer as pianist. December 29: He appeared with Corn Mo at the Williamsburg Music Hall in Brooklyn performing Schubert's "An Die Musik" as part of Corn Mo's opening set for the famed rock group, They Might Be Giants. Dr. Schimmel is also the subject of an entire chapter in a new book, "The Accordion in the Americas" Helene Simonett, Editor. The chapter is written by Dr. Marion Jacobson. The title is " The Accordion in New Scores- Paradigms of Authorship and Identiy in William Schimmel's Musical Realities." Top photo: Dr. William Schimmel and Corn Mo. Bottom photos of "They Might Be Giants" John Linnell and John Flansburgh with Corn Mo in the middle. For further information: billschimmel@billschimmel.com |
Video Documentary: How Its Made, Diatonic Accordionby Harley Jones |
| How It`s Made Discovery Channel program about Diatonic Accordions. |
A Month of Accordion Celebrations in Maryland, DC and Virginia!by Joan Grauman Morse, AAA Historian |
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 Picture above: Conductor Joan Grauman with the WMAS Holiday OrchestraPicture right: Nina Harris and Herb Frederickson dance at the WMAS Holiday Concert and Potluck Dinner The Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society (WMAS) celebrated the holidays in style once again. On Sunday, December 16, the Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church in Falls Church, Virginia was packed with an audience of over one hundred happy, festively-dressed folks for the annual Holiday Concert/Potluck Dinner. Every year, they come to sing along with our Holiday Orchestra, enjoy the solo and group performances, dine with us and dance to the lovely accordion music that is played throughout the evening. We were pleased and honored to have the Busso Music School Ensemble join us for the concert, as well as our good friend and excellent accordionist from New Jersey, Rita Davidson, who joined us in the orchestra. Our emcee, Ken Kunec, delighted the audience with his jokes, wonderful music and also his duets with the talented accordionist and singer, Silvia Eberly. The musical variety of the groups, soloists and guest percussionists (accordionist Robert Ford’s young daughter, Rocio, a gifted classical castanets virtuoso; Dan Grauman and Luis Uribe on bells, etc.), helped to make the whole event perfect! Thanks to all who helped out and came to support the accordion in the Washington, DC area. WMAS’s own Potomac Accordion Ensemble performed at the Holiday Concert, as well as at two local venues, where they are invited back annually to enhance the Christmas spirit: Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland and Dublin Roasters Coffeehouse in Frederick, Maryland. The Graumans, along with WMAS members Pat and Connie Racioppa, went down to Virginia Beach, Virginia in early December to celebrate the season with two recently formed accordion clubs in the area: “The Accordion Lovers of Virginia” of Virginia Beach and the Williamsburg-based “Accordion Revolution” club. A lovely, well-attended event was held in the home of Anthony “Tip” and Carol Ciotti of Virginia Beach. It’s wonderful to see so many new clubs forming all over the country. WMAS invites everyone to join us whenever you are in the area for our monthly events. For further information email: peter@musicisforever.com Picture below: Tip Ciotti performs Irish tunes with his trio at the Accordion Lovers of Virginia’s Holiday Concert |
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Cory Pesaturo in 2013by Rita Barnea |
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 Well known accordionist Cory Pesaturo will be involved in many new musical projects during 2013. Cory is working out a deal to provide music for the US Formula 1 broadcasts on NBC, as he formally did for SPEED Channel the past 5 years while Formula 1 was on SPEED. Cory will also perform for the NAMM 2013 from January 23rd to January 28 in Los Angeles, California. For the 5th straight year, Cory will be performing at the hemisphere's biggest music convention as soloist and with violinist, Yasmine Azaiez. Some of his many 2012 past shows took place at the Veteran's Memorial Hall in Providence, RI where Cory performed with violinist Yasmine Azaiez and Anton Fig (Drummer for David Letterman), and Joe Silva at the "All For One Concert": Benefiting Hasbro Children's Hospital; Chan's Jazz in Woonsocket, RI and the Tony Dannon Memorial Concert in November 2012 in Detroit. Tony was a great inspiration and a legend to Cory throughout his early career. Cory also performed with Tony's Jazz Duo partner, fellow Rhode Islander and Jazz Accordionist Joe Cerrito; 2012 Pebble Beach Councours d"Elegance Week in Monterey plus many other concert venues. Cory Pesaturo also plays the piano, clarinet, and saxophone. He began playing at the age of nine, and in 2002, became the youngest person to win the National Accordion Championship. He most recently won the 2011 Primus Ikaalinen World Championship and was the first American contestant. Additionally, Pesaturo won the Coupe Mondiale World Digital Accordion Championship in Auckland, New Zealand, and became the first American to win a World Accordion Championship since Peter Soave 25 years ago.[3] In June 2009, he won the Leavenworth International Championship, and International Jazz Championship. He was accepted on the accordion at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA where he studied Contemporary Improvisation and a variety of music styles, including Italian and French folk music, Bulgarian and Jewish music, Classical music and Jazz. He became the second person to major in and graduate as an accordionist at the New England Conservatory. His past performances have included filling in for an ill Myron Floren, the accordionist on The Lawrence Welk Show at the age of 12, performing on four occasions at the White House, and playing at six other public events and private functions for President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. In 1999 he performed at a State Dinner held for the President of Hungary. His music has been played for various Formula 1 races on SPEED TV starting in 2007, on the Velocity program "Chasing Classic Cars", and also at various Concours around the United States ranging from the Newport Concours d'Elegance and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. He has also combined his interest in statistics and sports with his appearance on the "100 Year Anniversary of Fenway Park" album in 2012, with current and past Boston Red Sox players, and journalists. For further information: cory.pesaturo@gmail.com |
AAA Master Class and Concert Series July 26-28by William Schimmel |
 The American Accordionists' Association Master Class and Concert Series celebrate its 19th season on July 26, 27 and 28 at Tenri Cultural Institute,43A West 13th Street, in New York. Master classes are at 3:PM. Concerts at 7:PM. The title of the Seminars is "The Accordion is 3D-No Glasses Required". The moderator/curator, Dr. William Schimmel projects that it will be the best one yet: intriguing workshops, stellar performances and, most of all, a collegial attitude in its presentation.What makes the Seminars different than any other event concerning the accordion? 1.The weekend is totally about the accordion and its culture. No stars – only the accordion. 2.The weekend is entirely non-competitive. 3.We present ideas and we are always learning. 4.We provide and intimate atmosphere which empowers anyone who chooses to attend. 5.We listen to every idea that is presented to us and we take it seriously. No one is ridiculed or put down over an idea that doesn't seem to “fly” at the moment. 6. Everything is presented in a clear cut fashion. Everyone who attends will understand what we are saying or doing. There is no esoteric shop talk. 7.There is something for everyone. If you attend, we urge you to “stick it out” and suspend your judgment. There will be inevitably something for you in it. 8.We present innovative information and yet we always present too much of it. Our concerts are a bit too long and our workshops make one's head spin. One participant said that her head spun for over a year due to all of the information that was presented in a short span of time. 9. Many of the spectators become actual participants in time. We are interested in everyone who attends. We are interested in helping you realize your goals. Anyone may attend – at any level. All we ask of you is to come with an open mind and most of all, a warm heart. There is a certain “humility” to those who attend an participate at the Seminars. Ironically, many of the participants and presenters come from the greatest universities and conservatories in the world. We span the horizon: Juilliard, Peabody, Mannes, Oberlin, New England Conservatory, Columbia, NYU, Harvard, Yale – yet there is a certain “humility” in those who are there to serve the accordion in the best light that they can. They consider it to be a privilege and, yes, it can be humbling at times. Although we believe that there is something for everyone in the Seminars, we also realize that they may not be for everyone. This may sound like a contradiction We raise the bar extremely high yet we also present ideas that show the accordion in new and unusual manners as well as new takes on old ideas. This may be at times startling, due to the fact that our ideas about technique and process in general may differ greatly from conservatories and academic institutions – yet still maintain a “schooled” philosophy due to the “rub” and friction between the two. This is part of what we call “The built in ironic duality”. We revel in the “rub”. We don't look for the easy way out. 12. We believe that the accordion is in a better place since the Seminars. And we say that proudly and we also say it with humility. Time out New York has called the Seminars “ The Apotheosis of the Accordion” - the laboratory where ideas are bred. Accordions Worldwide has stated: “Once again, Dr. Schimmel, aided and abetted by his dancer wife Micki Goodman, has unstintingly and imaginatively produced and event that appears to be unlike any other in its scope and imaginativeness.” 13. If you feel that the Seminars are for you – join us next year! Deiro delights – Ettore elaborates – Frosini Fascillitates – Ellegaard is elegant – Magnante magnifies – Palmer is pedagogy – John Gart grabs you WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO? FIND OUT – AT THE SEMINARS! Participants come from the local New York area, across the United States as well as China, Japan, Argentina, Croatia and Norway. Featured participants and performers: Micki Goodman, Paul Stein, Dr.Robert Young Mc Mahan, Dr. Mark Birnbaum, Will Holshouser, Art Bailey, Doug Makofka, Ingrid Kvale, Brian Dewan, Martini Li, Yoichi Fukui, Martina Li, Marina Jerry, Melissa Elledge, Mark Nathanson, Benjamin Ickies, Godfrey Nelson, Lorraine Nelson Wolf, Dragica Banic-Curcic, Peter Flint, Erica Mancini, Dr. Ronald Sarno, Dave Soldier, Mayumi Miyaoka, Tomoko Sugawara, Hu Jianbing, Rachel Swaner, Genevieve Leloup, Joy Betchler, Charlie Tokarz, Robert Haulfrecht, Dan Simon, Dr. Rocco Jerry, David Stoler, David First, Dr. Hugo Goldenzweig, Lee Mc Clure, Ken Laufer, John Foti, Kathleen Tipton, Marni Rice, Bob Goldberg, Corn Mo, Dr. William Schimmel and many others. $20 per master class,$25 per concert, $40 per day – includes master class and concert $110 per weekend For reservations and information: 212-876-0827 - office 917-498-6823 – cell |
Video: Ipad Hohner App Technologyby Harley Jones |
| And now the Ipad Hohner App is center stage at the concert!!! |
Future events |
National Accordion Association in Dallas March 6-10by Rita Barnea |
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| The National Accordion Association (NAA) 26th Annual Festival will be an informative and fun event for all accordion enthusiasts taking place from March 6-10 at the Westin Park Central in Dallas, Texas. The convention will feature exciting and educational events including concerts, workshops, trade shows, band camp, jamming all day and night, "Circle of Champions", and much more. All types of accordions are welcome. Included in the workshop presenters/performers are Debra Peters, Kim Clowe, Nick Bratkovitch, Gordon Kohl, Mario Pedone, Dr. Ian Blair Fries, Jessica Faltot, Nick Ballarini, Daniel Kott, Shelia Lee, The Sound Connection and more. For 2013, Convention Manager Gordon Kohl returns to the National Accordion Association Convention as a rock 'n roll band director that features the accordion! Gordon Kohl will direct a "Tribute to the American Bandstand and Dick Clark" NAA President Norman Seaton says,"It is time for the accordion world to join the guitar-driven music and have just as much fun as they do. This event will be a merger of music, rhyme, and vocals. Musical selections will be "Ring of Fire", "I Walk the Line"", Kansas City", "Rock Around the Clock", "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain", "Great Balls of Fire", "Wake Up Little Suzie", "Love Letters in the Sand", and "Que Sera Sera". Dick Albreski will direct both the youth band and the adult "recreational music fun band." This is a traditional accordion band that is designed for beginner to intermediate players. Further information on planned activities will be included in future articles in the USA News. For information please contact: Greg Klugiewicz, NAA Convention Manager GKlugie@Verizon.net Cell:214-538-5651 Home: 972-272-2359 Nick Ballarini, NAA National Trade Show Manager and Vendor Ballarini@sbcglobal.net Phone: 972-247-5000 Norman Seaton, NAA President, Email: NatlAccordion@sbcglobal.net Cell: 214-938-5984 |
AAMS to Honor Beverly Roberts Curnow in Marchby Rita Barnea |
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| Beverly Roberts Curnow will be the 2013 Guest of Honor at the American Accordion Musicological Society event which will hold its 3 day annual Festival of Workshops, from March 15 to 17, 2013 at the Hanover Marriott, 1401 Route 10 East, Whippany, NJ. A very special Banquet and Concert will be held on Saturday March 16, 2013 honoring Beverly Roberts Curnow, a student of Carmen Carrozza and winner of the 1965 AAA national competition and the Confederation of International Accordionists Competition in Valletta, Malta (the first female contestant to do so). She holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Music Education from New York University and Columbia University. Following graduation, she taught choral, instrumental, and general music at all levels in the Wilson Area public school system of Easton. Pennsylvania for thirty-five years. Remaining an active accordionist throughout her teaching career, she continues to make many guest artist and concert appearances for the American Accordionists’ Association. She also plays in pit orchestras for Broadway musicals and shows, and performs as soloist with the Allentown (Pennsylvania) Band. In 2008, she presented the world premiere of Samuel Adler’s “Canto XVIII at the AAA 70th Anniversary Concert in Valhalla, New York. She presently serves as a member of the AAA Governing Board, and in that capacity, is a member of the Composers Commissioning Committee. Workshops will be held all 3 days of the festival. Bring your accordion and learn how to do the Russian Bellow Shakes, Meet Dr. Marion Jacobson, author of “Squeeze This”, learn about the Life and Times of Pietro Deiro Sr, “Daddy of the Accordion” and much more. For more information, contact Joanna Arnold Darrow or phone 856-854-6628 |
MAMTG Accordion Competitions, March 15-17th, New Jerseyby Rita Barnea |
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| The Mid Atlantic Accordion Virtuoso Championship Competition takes place on Friday, March 15th at 6:PM at the Hanover Marriott, Whippany, New Jersey. There will be cash awards. The entry deadline is February 1st, 2013 During the weekend of Friday March 15-17th, there will be many other accordion competition categories. For rules and all entry information, download: 2013MAMTG The Mid Atlantic Music Teachers Guild (MAMTG) was founded by a group of professional music educators from the Tri-State area to establish and maintain high professional teaching and ethical standards, exchange music-related ideas, information and fellowship among colleagues, promote music education in our area, and to provide a platform for area music students to display their talents in a competitive environment. The Guild has been recognized as a viable musical organization throughout the entire Mid-Atlantic and New England States. For full information, download: 2013MAMTG |
"Nine Decades of the Accordion in the Media"by Rita Barnea |
 On Sunday, March 17th, during the AAA Open Board meeting, AAA Historian, Joan Grauman, will present a lively demonstration of "Nine Decades of the Accordion in the Media". It will take place at the Hanover Marriott,1401 Route 10 East, Whippany, New Jersey immediately following the AAMS Awards Ceremony. Joan will present little known facts about the early founders of the AAA, their important contributions and unique input into the development of the piano accordion as we know it today. At this time, information will be given about the 75th AAA Festival to be held at the New Yorker Hotel, August 14-18th in New York City. Make sure to include this important and exciting event in your summer plans. For further information: ameraccord1938@gmail.com |
Accordion-O-Rama Concert in Minnesota on January 19by Rita Barnea |
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 Four accordionists will perform for Crossings' Accordion-O-Rama Concert on Saturday, January 19th at 7:30 PM at Crossings Gallery & Gift Shop, 320 East Avenue, Zumbrota, MN. The performers include Dan "Daddy Squeeze" Newton (picture above), Simone Perrin, Patrick Harison and Denny Malmberg. Newton been a full-time performing musician since 1980 and a resident of the Twin Cities since 1987. He spends most of his time playing accordion with his group, “Café Accordion Orchestra,” performing French, American and Latin ballroom dance music. He frequently appears as a guest on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. Malmberg has been headlining at Fireside Pizza in Richfield, along with singer Charmin Michelle, for the past three years performing American jazz classics. Patrick Harison is a young American button accordionist. He currently resides in Minneapolis, performing in a diverse array of projects. Patrick is also active as an orchestral soloist playing both classical and pops programs. Perrin is a Minneapolis-based theater actress, composer, vocalist and accordionista. She learned to play the accordion in order to accompany herself as a love-scorned vampire, during her tenure in a New York comedy sketch group. Crossings is located in the former Carnegie library where you will find a warm, friendly atmosphere. The setting is intimate and the acoustics are excellent. Every seat in the house is a good seat. Tickets are $18 in advance /$20 day of show Doors open at 7:PM Call 507-732-7616 to reserve seats For further information email: Crossings@crossingsatcarnegie.com |
AbsolutAccord in Concert on January 6 in Californiaby Rita Barnea |
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| AbsolutAccord will perform on January 6, 2013 at an Afternoon for Family and Friends in Redwood Shores. From AbsolutAccord's first concert in August of 2001 this San Francisco Bay Area group has been recognized as an unusual and rare musical treat. AbsolutAccord consists of seven accordionists. Pictured here starting in the lower left corner are: Richard Yaus, Randy Hicks, Norma Zonay-Parsons, Marian Kelly, Lynn Ewing, Joe Simoni, and Dave Perry. AbsolutAccord's repertoire includes jazz standards, French, Italian, and Russian music, tangos, and classical music. Lynn Ewing was born and raised in San Diego, California, where she started playing accordion at age seven. As a young adult, Lynn taught at the Robert Mitchell Accordion School, where she directed five accordion bands and gave accordion lessons to over a hundred young children. She received her certification in the Orff Method of Music instruction from Mills College, and was the music specialist at El Granada Elementary school for seven years. Currently Lynn teaches private accordion students, and performs with two accordion ensembles, the Accordion Chamber Ensemble and AbsolutAccord. Randall (Randy) Hicks grew up in Northern Wisconsin, listening to accordion music on the television every Sunday afternoon. He graduated with a music degree in Voice from the Lawrence Conservatory of Music in Appleton, WI in the early 80's. Fast forward 27 years, when Randy, on a dare, decided to take up the accordion at the tender young age of 49. He hasn't looked back since (very often). Randy is an accordion student of Lou Jacklich of San Lorenzo and is AbsolutAccord's newest addition. Marian Kelly grew up in Northampton, Massachusetts where, at the time, there was a great deal of accordion interest. She joined the orchestra of and taught for the Pizzitola Music Studios, which provided many rewarding experiences along with a bit of income and became kind of a second home. Her current accordion interests include teaching, participating in the Accordion Chamber Ensemble and AbsolutAccord, schmoozing with her many accordion friends and helping at least a few folks in the general public appreciate the variety of musical treats, which an accordion can provide. David Perry studied accordion from ages six to seventeen, most of that time with Ernst Gloe who taught music at the California Conservatory of Music and at California State University, East Bay. David played the clarinet for many years in various groups throughout the San Francisco Bay Area but the accordion sat unused in the closet for forty-eight years. In the spring of 2008, David crossed paths with a member of the San Francisco Accordion Chamber Ensemble (ACE) who invited him to join that organization and David now performs with ACE and AbsolutAccord. Joe Simoni has been playing accordion for almost fifty years and has studied with San Francisco’s own Michael Corino and Professor Giovanni Vitale, an accomplished and highly respected accordion instructor from Lucca, Italy. Joe is the leader of the JPS Band, which has been entertaining audiences from Napa to Monterey. Joe is also proud and honored to be one of the four original accordionists in AbsolutAccord. Richard Yaus studied with the German accordion virtuoso Georg Schwenk, while winning music competitions in the solo, duo and orchestra categories during the 1980’s and 90’s. Richard attended conducting classes held at the conservatory in Munich and in Trossingen, led his own accordion orchestra, played accordion parts in opera and musical theater in and around Munich, and later joined his teacher’s accordion ensemble and orchestra. The avid accordionist founded AbsolutAccord eleven years ago using many of his teacher’s arrangements. Norma Zonay is originally from Southern California. Norma has entertained since her teens, was lead singer and accordionist touring with her own trio for a number of years, playing in clubs, shows and radio. Norma teamed for several years in a violin/accordion duo with a noted violin impresario in Salt Lake City, doing POPS Concerts and a weekly variety TV show. Norma now teaches in her studio in San Jose and performs with Bellows and Bow, a violin/accordion duo, and with AbsolutAccord. For more information and details about the event: info@absolutaccord.com 415-518-1447 |
San Francisco Accordion Chamber Ensemble Concert on January 13by Rita Barnea |
 The San Francisco Accordion Chamber Ensemble conducted by Joseph Smiell, Jr. will present a concert on Sunday, January 13th at 4:PM at the Community Music Center, 544 Capp St.@21st, San Francisco, California. The group is dedicated to promoting the use of the accordion within an orchestra."ACE", the Accordion Chamber Ensemble of San Francisco consists of eight accordionists - Peter Di Bono, Reno Di Bono, Lynn Ewing, Grigoriy Krumik, Nora Mazzara, Anne Metais, Taylor Pedersen, and David Perry. Since 1995, with over 300 arrangements for accordion orchestra, ACE has been privileged to perform for the Embassy's fund raising walk for the Symphony, the Oakland Museum, the Alliance Francaise, and numerous other venues. When possible, they offer free performances for schools and present at least two concerts a year for the general public, as well as playing for Accordion Clubs. For further information: ewinglynn@gmail.co |
11th Annual Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Fund Event on April 21by Rita Barnea |
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| The American Accordionists' Association proudly presents the 11th Annual Afternoon of Music, Food and Fun on Sunday, April 21, 2013 from 12 Noon until 5:PM at the Villa Barone Hilltop Manor, 466 US 6, Mahopac, NY to benefit The Carmen Carrozza Scholarship Fund for the advancement of promising young accordionists. Chairman of the program, Dr. Joseph Ciccone, announces the following performers on the program: Mario Tacca and Mary Mancini, Frank Toscano, Manny Corallo, Mary Tokarski, Frank Carrozza, Ray Oreggia & Dominic Karcic, Berverly Roberts Curnow, Emilio Magnotta, the Connecticut Accordion Orchestra, Linda Soley Reed, Conductor and many more performers to be announce in future news articles. Download the Booking Form: 2013Carrozza Please respond on or before April 1, 2013. Be part of this amazing accordion afternoon. Arrange a table for you and your friends.f For further information: Dr. Joseph Ciccone, 914-238-0041 Email: Drjciccone@aol.com |
January 20th, 2013: Accordion Babes to Perform at SFACby Rita Barnea |
 San Francisco Accordion Club President Lynn Ewing invites all to the January 20th, 2013 meeting of the SFAC where a variety of the "Babes" featured in the 2013 Accordion Babes Pin-Up Calendar will perform. The calendar is available for purchase from the club! Appearing will be Renée de la Prade with Whiskey and Women, Jet Black Pearl (aka Jetty Swart), Maggie Martin of the Mad Maggies, Diana Strong and Skyler Fell of the Accordion Apocalypse Repair Shop and The Hobogoblins! The SFAC has an exciting 2013 planned. Future concerts include: February 17th: Mike Zampiceni; March 17th: Iosiph Purits; April 21st: Bonnie Birch; May 19th: The Frank Petrilli Trio. More details in future USA news. The San Francisco Accordion Club is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization whose purpose is to enhance, promote and stimulate an appreciation for the accordion within the membership and throughout the general public. Membership is open to any individual expressing interest in the accordion and accordion music and wishing to join. The only qualification for membership is the payment of annual dues as established by the Executive Board. The concert takes place at 2:PM at the The Oyster Point Yacht Club, 911 Marina Blvd.,South San Francisco. For further information: info@sfaccordionclub.com |