In
the next few days, I will have the great pleasure of returning to
China for the Spring Shanghai
International Accordion Festival (2 - 6 May) run by Professor
Li Cong,
Organization Director who has done so much for the accordion in China
over many years. Many other famous accordionists from all over the
world will attend this major event and we will bring you daily
reports online.
My
last tour to China was in 1988 as a Director of the Air
New Zealand Accordion Orchestra and soloist, performing 'Rhapsody
for Accordion and Orchestra' with famous composer/conductor Gary
Daverne ONZM (recorded by me on CD with accordion
orchestra and symphony
orchestra). We were the first accordion orchestra to be invited
to tour China and the tour included fully televised concerts in the
Shanghai and Beijing Concert Halls. Also a guest on that tour, was
the then AAA President
Faithe
Deffner.
Today,
Chinese accordion orchestras follow the example of the Air New Zealand
Accordion Orchestra, (which enjoyed standing ovations throughout Europe
and North America on many different tours) playing their complete
program from memory.
Wearing
my hat as Vice President of the South
Pacific Accordion Championships, I am also looking forward to
meeting many Chinese friends who have attended this event in New Zealand
in past years. It will be fun.
San
Francisco Accordion Festival, California - USA
Contributed
by Rob
Howard
The
16th annual San Francisco Accordion Festival, a free event celebrating
National Accordion Awareness Month as well as highlighting San Francisco's
official musical instrument, will be held on June 4th in the Del Monte
Square at the Cannery at Fisherman's Wharf. This event goes from 12
noon until 6:00 pm, featuring a wide variety of accordion-based bands
and will include the San Francisco's Main Squeeze Pageant.
The
San Francisco Accordion Festival, organised by Tom Torriglia, is also
a fundraiser for 'Music in Schools Today' by selling raffle tickets
for the chance to win fabulous prizes. Festival goers may also drop
off unwanted instruments at the Festival and Music in Schools Today
will recycle the instruments into Bay Area schools.
Accordion-based artistes appearing at the festival include The San
Francisco Accordion Band, Kielbasia - The Polish Lunch Lady, Culann's
Hounds (Fired-up Irish music), Conjunto Romero, Big Lou's Polka Casserole,
Bella Ciao (Italiano swing and pop) and Those Darn Accordions.
New Book: 'Music While You Work', Kent - UK Contributed by Rob
Howard
A
new book that tells the story of the long running BBC radio program
'Music While You Work' has been published. Written by accordionist
and broadcaster Brian Reynolds, the book includes information about
most of the musicians, bands and orchestras that appeared over the
years. This show was the idea of Prime Minister Winston Churchill
in June 1940, who wanted a daily music program that would boost
public morale and motivate the war effort.
The accordion featured significantly on 'Music While You Work',
and the book includes biographies (with pictures) of regular performers
Jack Emblow, Gerald Crossman, Primo Scala, and George Scott-Wood.
Gerald Delmondi, Albert Delroy, Pearl Fawcett, Henry Krein and Billy
Reid are other accordionists whose names occur in this well written
and carefully documented story.
'Music While You Work' was broadcast daily until 1967, when programming
changes at the BBC took it off the air. This nostalgic book, a fascinating
look back in time, is in hardback, and its ISBN number for ordering
purposes is 1-84624-004-2.
Bruce
Springsteen's Pete Seeger Tribute CD and European Tour - New Jersey,
USA
Contributed
by Rob
Howard
Rock
singer Bruce Springsteen's new CD 'We Shall Overcome: The Seeger
Sessions' features songs written or made famous by the legendary
American folk singer Pete Seeger. This recording is a departure
from Springsteen's usual style, and the accompanying band for the
recording and forthcoming European tour includes Charles Giordano
on piano accordion, whose contribution is to add a Cajun and Zydeco
feel to the overall sound.
The new CD makes its public debut when Springsteen appears at the
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 30th. The details
of the European tour are as follows:-
May
2006
5th - Dublin, Ireland - The Point
7th - Manchester, England - The Manchester Evening News Arena
8th - London, UK - Hammersmith Apollo Theatre
10th - Paris, France - Palais Bercy
12th - Milan, Italy - Forum Arena
14th - Barcelona, Spain - Badalona Arena
16th - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Heineken Music Hall
17th - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle
20th - Oslo, Norway - Spektrum Arena
21st - Stockholm, Sweden - Hovet Arena
Alexander
Shirunov Concert, Frankfurt - Germany
Contributed by Rob
Howard
Russian
accordionist Alexander
Shirunov, from St Petersburg, is in concert at the University
for Music and Art, Kunst, Frankfurt, on May 14th at 11am.
Alexander Shirunov has many contest successes to his credit, including
winning the CIA Coupe Mondiale Piano Accordion title, and second
prize in the CIA Coupe Mondiale Entertainment section, in November
2005 at Castelo Branco, Portugal.
Charity
Dance Event, Valledupar - Columbia
Contributed by Rob
Howard
A number of traditional Vallenato dance teams, with accordion
and other instrumental accompaniment, performed for several hours
on April 27th to raise funds for Catholic Church agencies doing social
work on behalf of the poor. Vallenato is an Afro-Caribbean dance style
from northern Columbia, usually accompanied by accordionists.
Classical
Accordion Raises Over $300 for Classical Radio, Ohio - USA
Contributed by Rob
Howard
The
Classical Accordion was featured on Dayton Public FM Radio stations
WDPR and WDPG on April 5th, from noon until one pm. Classical accordion
aficionado (and mayor of Webster Station, Ohio) Charlie Campbell sponsored
a $250 Challenge Grant during the station's Spring Fundraiser. He
appeared on the air promoting the classical accordion and playing
excerpts from Henry Doktorski's solo compact disc 'Classical Accordion
Recital' in an effort to convince listeners to telephone the station
and make a pledge. His theme was "Accordion, Yes!"
To make the broadcast more interesting, Campbell's partner on the
show, Susie Weaver, acted as a foil and proclaimed "Accordion,
No!" and played classical music without accordion.
However, Mr. Campbell had a slight edge, as the previous day he had
sent an email message to Henry Doktorski announcing the event, and
requested that Mr Doktorski send a message to the members of his classical
accordion email list (over 200 people), including many overseas classical
accordion lovers.
Tone C. Hundére, from Norway, was so excited about the event,
that she publicized it by putting a prominent notice on the homepage
of www.trekkspill.no, the largest and most popular website devoted
to the accordion in the Norwegian language. It is possible that hundreds
of accordionists worldwide tuned in to hear the broadcast.
The "Accordions Yes!" camp secured seven pledges worth over
$300 while the "Accordions No!" camp only secured two pledges
worth $90.
Musicians
Going Back to School to Get Married, Toronto - Canada Contributed
by Rob
Howard On
May 27th, at 1.30pm, Acclarion, Canada's premier classical accordion
and clarinet duo, invites you to join them as they share their love
for music and each other in a special Concert-Wedding to take place
at the University of Toronto's Edward Johnson Building.
Becky Sajo and David Carovillano were two strangers with a common
interest that would unite them in more ways than one. Having met
at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music, Becky with the clarinet,
and David with the accordion, it was a chance opportunity to perform
together in David's final year of his Master's degree that would
change their lives forever.
"I
asked Becky to perform Ray Leudeke's 'Serenity' for accordion and
clarinet on my final recital based on someone's recommendation.
She responded with a husky, business-like tone that she would 'think
about it'. After agreeing to do it, we learned quickly in rehearsal
that we had a lot more in common than just music. Soon, after school
was complete, we were planning our future together, both musically
and personally!" says David.
With their musical future looking bright, Becky and David are thrilled
to share their special day with family, friends, and music enthusiasts.
Joining them for the concert portion of the event will be harpist,
Erica Goodman, and pianist, Angela Park debuting new compositions
by David. Acclarion will perform a sixty-minute concert of 'ear
tickling music' on stage at University of Toronto's Walter Hall,
Edward Johnson Building, to be immediately followed by their wedding
ceremony on the very same stage. A cocktail reception will follow
and all are welcome to attend.
Wazemmes
Accordion Festival, Lille - France Contributed by Rob
Howard
The
Wazemmes Accordion Festival takes place from May 4th to June 6th,
featuring a large number of events including concerts, workshops and
dances. Accordionists involved include Kimmo Pohjonen (Finland), Robert
Santiago and his Orchestra, Maria Kalaniemi (Finland), Roger Danneels
(Belgium), Rony Verbiest Trio (Belgium), Evelina Petrova (Russia)
and Bert Von Laethem (Belgium), plus many others from France and other
countries.
Full details
are available about this month long festival.
A
music festival takes place from the 31st of May 31st to June 5th in
the Castle Plankenwarth, near Graz, featuring button accordion and
zither playing Viennese Schrammelmusik music. The Schrammel brothers
Johann and Joseph were violinists and prolific composers in the 19th
Century, and contemporaries of Johann Strauss.
John
Romero Concert, Uxbridge - UK
Contributed by Rob
Howard
Uxbridge
Accordion Club present John Romero as guest artiste on July 10th,
at 8pm. Uxbridge AC meet at The Anglers Retreat, Cricketfield Road,
off Swan Road, West Drayton, Middlesex, England - close to Heathrow
Airport and J4 of the M4. The evening also includes a play along session
led by accordionist Angie Lukins.
Buffalo
Jambalaya, Maryland - USA
Contributed by Rob
Howard
The
annual Buffalo Jambalaya, a Cajun and Zydeco music and dance festival,
takes place from August 10th to 13th in Darlington, Maryland, at Camp
Ramblewood. Musicians involved include Rosie Ledet and The Zydeco
Playboys, Brian Jack and The Zydeco Gamblers, and Kevin Naquin and
The Ossun Playboys. The bandleaders, all accordionists, will lead
workshops. The festival also includes dance tuition and great Cajun
food.
Jamie
Lyons, from Stockport, England, is a teenage accordionist who has
performed in Sweden and China. His teacher, Liza Austin Strange MBE,
asks: "If you were going to Paris would you know where to find
the best Paris musette music venues and teachers? I want to send Jamie
for a few days to Paris with my husband to listen and learn! Any ideas
gratefully received."
Anne
Landa/spanish accordionist - new information on her site.
Giuliano Cameli/italian
diatonic accordionist - new information on his site.
A new site
selling a CD titled 'Primus
Ikaalinen' with sound samples. Music recorded from Finnish Accordeon
Institute in Finland. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled 'Muistojen
Harmonikka' with sound samples. Music recorded from Finnish Accordeon
Institute in Finland. Purchase online.
A new site selling
a CD titled 'Kultainen
Harmonikka Soi CD1 and CD2' with sound samples. Music recorded
from Finnish Accordeon Institute in Finland. Purchase online.
James O' Brien - composer, arranger and performer, releases another
5 new works for accordion available for purchase online. 'Die
Latern'(traditional), 'Du,
Du Liegst Mir Im Herzen' (traditional), 'La
Cárcel de Cananea' (traditional), 'Le
roi d-Yvetot' (traditional), 'Passacaglia
in c minor for Accordion' (traditional). Samples of this music
are available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to
be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card.
A new site selling
a CD titled "Historiallisia
Harmonikkalevytyksia 2" with sound samples. Music recorded
from Finnish Accordeon Institute in Finland. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled "Historiallisia
Harmonikkalevytyksia 3" with sound samples. Music recorded
from Finnish Accordeon Institute in Finland. Purchase online.
A new site selling
a CD titled "Paljetti"
with sound samples. Music recorded from Finnish Accordeon Institute
in Finland. Purchase online.
A new site selling a CD titled "Klaveeritranskriptioita"
with sound samples. Music recorded from Finnish Accordeon Institute
in Finland. Purchase online.
The
San Francisco Accordion Festival, organised by Tom Torriglia, is also
a fundraiser for 'Music in Schools Today' by selling raffle tickets
for the chance to win fabulous prizes. Festival goers may also drop
off unwanted instruments at the Festival and Music in Schools Today
will recycle the instruments into Bay Area schools. 
A
new book that tells the story of the long running BBC radio program
'Music While You Work' has been published. Written by accordionist
and broadcaster Brian Reynolds, the book includes information about
most of the musicians, bands and orchestras that appeared over the
years. This show was the idea of Prime Minister Winston Churchill
in June 1940, who wanted a daily music program that would boost
public morale and motivate the war effort.
Rock
singer Bruce Springsteen's new CD 'We Shall Overcome: The Seeger
Sessions' features songs written or made famous by the legendary
American folk singer Pete Seeger. This recording is a departure
from Springsteen's usual style, and the accompanying band for the
recording and forthcoming European tour includes Charles Giordano
on piano accordion, whose contribution is to add a Cajun and Zydeco
feel to the overall sound.
May
2006 
Russian
accordionist 
On
May 27th, at 1.30pm, Acclarion, Canada's premier classical accordion
and clarinet duo, invites you to join them as they share their love
for music and each other in a special Concert-Wedding to take place
at the University of Toronto's Edward Johnson Building.
"I
asked Becky to perform Ray Leudeke's 'Serenity' for accordion and
clarinet on my final recital based on someone's recommendation.
She responded with a husky, business-like tone that she would 'think
about it'. After agreeing to do it, we learned quickly in rehearsal
that we had a lot more in common than just music. Soon, after school
was complete, we were planning our future together, both musically
and personally!" says David. 
The
Wazemmes Accordion Festival takes place from May 4th to June 6th,
featuring a large number of events including concerts, workshops and
dances. Accordionists involved include Kimmo Pohjonen (Finland), Robert
Santiago and his Orchestra, Maria Kalaniemi (Finland), Roger Danneels
(Belgium), Rony Verbiest Trio (Belgium), Evelina Petrova (Russia)
and Bert Von Laethem (Belgium), plus many others from France and other
countries. 
A
music festival takes place from the 31st of May 31st to June 5th in
the Castle Plankenwarth, near Graz, featuring button accordion and
zither playing Viennese Schrammelmusik music. The Schrammel brothers
Johann and Joseph were violinists and prolific composers in the 19th
Century, and contemporaries of Johann Strauss. 
Uxbridge
Accordion Club present John Romero as guest artiste on July 10th,
at 8pm. Uxbridge AC meet at The Anglers Retreat, Cricketfield Road,
off Swan Road, West Drayton, Middlesex, England - close to Heathrow
Airport and J4 of the M4. The evening also includes a play along session
led by accordionist Angie Lukins.
The
annual Buffalo Jambalaya, a Cajun and Zydeco music and dance festival,
takes place from August 10th to 13th in Darlington, Maryland, at Camp
Ramblewood. Musicians involved include Rosie Ledet and The Zydeco
Playboys, Brian Jack and The Zydeco Gamblers, and Kevin Naquin and
The Ossun Playboys. The bandleaders, all accordionists, will lead
workshops. The festival also includes dance tuition and great Cajun
food.
