Accordions Worldwide "The Squeeze"
17th September 1999
- Weekly news from around the world-
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EDITORS NOTE

It is great to see accordionists participating in parades all over the world. In the news this week you will read about the West Accordion Association (USA) who entered their float in the annual Westfest Parade, winning first place. In Auckland, New Zealand preparations are now underway for the annual Christmas Parade which will take place in November. The popular North Shore Accordion Orchestra will perform on an attractive float before 120,000 people. Parades and other mass public events are great publicity, putting our beloved instrument before the many thousands of people who attend these fun events.

Wayne Knights Webmaster

 
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THIS WEEKS NEWS
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Hellish Pace in the Troglodites Caves - France

From August 30th to September 4th a new APH workshop, directed by Frédérich Deschamps and Eric Pisani took place in the Troglodites caves. Thirty participants spent a week working at a "hellish pace"!! They got up at 6.30am each morning. The first course was at 7am and the last one at midnight. Participants were eager to work at this pace as 26 of them are furiously preparing for October's International Castelfidardo Competition.

The workshop was preceded by an accordion festival organized by APH teacher Jean Luc Amiard. Performances were given by Frédéric Baldo and Jérôme Richard.

 
Irish Pub Concerts - Poland

Seven piece Polish group "T. Band" (including accordionist Jaroslaw Grodowski) played recently at the Irish Pub in Warsaw's Old Town. The group will play again on September 25th, followed by a concert celebrating Copernicus High School's Anniversary.

On September 18th, Jaroslaw will attend a conference in Zakopne, Tatra Mountains where he will also take his accordion and participate in jam sessions with local folk musicians.

For further information email: interpl@ikp.atm.com.pl

 
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Galliano in Japan

Contributed by Toru Katou

On September 18th and 19th French accordionist Richard Galliano will perform at the "Jazz in Paris Vol.2" event at the Theater Cocoon, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. His program will include popular pieces played in his "musette and jazz fusion" style. Following this, Galliano will tour Switzerland in early October.

For further information phone: + 81 03-3233-1933.

 
Anniversary Concerts - Mexico

Contributed by Brenda Anaya

Mexican accordionist Antonio Barberena played 4 concerts recently to celebrate the first anniversary of the "Camerata Vocal Barradas" group, directed by Hugo Rosales. Their program included works by Bach, Vivaldi and Soyer on the accordion and organ as well as Mexican and tango music.

The first concert in the series was on August 25th at the Benedictina of Tepeyac Church in Îzacalli. This was followed by concerts at the Don Bosco Church, Coacalco and at the San Francisco Javier Church, Tepotzotlán, with the final concert at the Coacalco Town Hall on September 9th.

 
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Ensemble entertains at Mushroom Museum - Germany

Contributed by Jürgen Bruch

On October 2nd the "Accordion Ensemble Caprice" (Germany) will perform a second concert at the Conference of the German Society for Mycology (Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Mykologie, DGfM) in the "Haus des Gastes" (Mushroom Museum) in Bad Laasphe. Their first concert will open the conference on September 29th.

Their program will include Duke Ellington on Accordion arranged by B. Ruch, Frank's Mambo (W. Russ-Plötz) and Comedian Harmonists in Concert arranged by: H.G. Kölz.

For further information email: jbmusic@t-online.de

 
Accordionist Passes Away - Belgium

Contributed by Joeri De Jongh, editor of "Accordo" magazine

Well known Belgian accordionist Roger Eggermont passed away on August 30th. He was 67 years old. In 1949 Roger participated successfully in the prestigious Coupe Mondiale Competitions. During the 60's Roger was the accordion soloist with the Orchestra of the BRT (Belgian National Television). From 1981 to 1994 he was the principal accordion teacher at the Royal Music Academy of Antwerp. After retiring, he was appointed to the board of SABAM, an association for the protection of copyright. Roger wrote several compositions, which are often played in international accordion competitions.

See the Accordions Worldwide "Memorials" site for information about other accordionists who have recently passed away.

 
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Prominent Jazz Festival Features Renzo Ruggieri - Italy

Accordionist Renzo Ruggieri and the Alice Project performed recently in Chieti as part of the "Women in Music" jazz festival held in the Abruzzi region. This year's event (to a large enthusiastic audience) was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Duke Ellington's birth and included several well-known national and international musicians such as T. Ghiglioni, R. Casale, C. Porter and V. Mayhew.

 
Kantou Accordion Competition - Japan

Contributed by Toru Katou

The "Ensemble and Concert" section of the 11th Kantou Accordion Contest will be held on September 23rd at the "Koto-ku Sogo Kumin Center", Koto Ward, Tokyo. The event will feature duos, trios and small ensembles. For further information email see Future Events.

 
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UK Group Tours Germany and Denmark
 

Contributed by Jan Lucas

UK group "Two Duos Quartet" which consists of accordionists Karen Tweed, Andy Cutting, Ian Carr and Chris Wood will tour Germany from October 7th to 13th. They will perform concerts in Oberotterbach, Marburg, Ingolstadt and Bad Wildungen as well as a concert and workshop at the Zurich Folk Club in Switzerland.

On October 14th the group will travel to Denmark, performing concerts in Ribe, Samso, Halkaer kro and Odense. For further information email see Future Events.

 
Adelphian Concertina Concert - USA

Contributed by Daniel Hersh

Accordion and concertina player John Williams will perform on September 24th at the "Adelphian", a new folk venue in Alameda, California. John will perform with Irish fiddler Randal Bays.

For further information, phone The Adelphian Center for the Arts, Alameda, CA 94501.

 
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Kamen Wedding - Germany

Contributed by Christine Adams

Former Editor of Intermusik, Hartmut Lange and Dr Irmgard Lehnemann were married on the 9th September 1999 at a ceremony near Kamen. Following a "wonderful" wedding, they are now enjoying a 10 day honeymoon in Canada. Accordions Worldwide wishes them every happiness for the future.

 
Celebrity Interviews

The "Celebrity Interview" with Giansandro Breccia, director of the reed manufacturer, Salpa di Breccia e C. s.r.l. is now on line in English. The Vladimir Zubitsky Celebrity Interview is now online in Spanish.

The next "Celebrity Interview" will be with Claudine Aucher, Director of The Chartres Festival, France. Questions to Moderator Wallace Liggett close September 29th for publication on October 6th.

 
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Accordionists Win "Float" Competition - USA

Contributed by Billie Brem

The West Accordion Association entered their float in the annual Westfest Parade in downtown West, McLennan County, Texas on September 4th, winning first place in the non-commercial float section. Accordionists Ed Brem (West Accordion Association organizer), Alphonse Urbanovsky (who built and painted the float), Regina Peevey, John Sulak, Ray DeMilliano and Bernie Guralson performed "Happy Go Lucky Polka", "Dreamland Waltz" and others.

After the parade, the float was escorted onto the Westfest grounds where it became an outdoor stage. Players entertained the crowds throughout the 2 day event. Visiting accordionists Lee Roy Bates and Mike Borelli also performed. Over 36,000 people attended the festival. Next year's event will be a 25th anniversary celebration.

 
Otto Lechner's Accordeonata - Austria

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif

Austrian accordionist Otto Lechner performed a solo concert during the recent "Musikwochen" (musical weeks) held in the chapter of Millstatt (Carinthia, Austria). His performance included waltzes, jazz and typical Viennese songs. Otto (who is blind) also sang and creates his own special musical style. As a composer he shows great feeling for atmosphere, sense of humor and the dramatical aspect of his pieces.

 
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70th Birthday Celebrations - UK

Contributed by Sue Bennett

Well known UK Accordionist Harry Hussey celebrated his 70th birthday in fine style on September 10th at "The Carriage House Hotel", Shefford, Bedfordshire, England.

Family members and numerous UK accordion friends attended the "foot tapping and swinging evening", including David Lukins, Amanda and Giuseppe Vasco, Dougie Inkpen, Johnny Lee Leslie, Jean Hanger, Peter Boorman, Sue Bennett, John Leslie, Ron Hodgeson, George Carroll and Bernie Fenton.

 
Restaurant Concert - Japan

Contributed by Toru Katou

On September 18th accordionist Hiroo Naito will perform at the "Restaurant Piano Forte", Sakura, Chiba Prefecture.

For further information email see Future Events.

 
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8th Annual Wine and Music festival - USA

Accordionist Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones performed at the 8th Annual Wine and Music Festival in Kerrville, Texas on September 4th. The group played a variety of pieces including "Galveston Island" (R.C. Banks), "Baby, You Know" (Ponty Bone) and "Frio City Road Polka". Over 3000 people attended the event.

 
Work Completed at Hohner - Trossingen, Germany

Contributed by Harley Jones

The Chief Executive of Matth. Hohner AG, Philipp Gerding has recently resigned. He asked for an immediate release from his job as he believes the reorganization of the company is now completed and that his specialist services are no longer required.

The new appointee Dr Horst Bräuning has now taken the position in Trossingen.

 
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Advanced Music Courses in Cortina d'Ampezzo - Italy
 

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The annual Cortina d'Ampezzo Advanced Music Courses organized by Anna Bellantoni with the support of the "E.F.Dell'Abaco" State Conservatory at Verona, were held from August 23rd to 31st in the famous northern Italian mountain resort. Young musicians from all over Europe worked hard on improving their technique while enjoying a scenic holiday in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The event featured internationally famous teachers such as Felix Ayo, Mario Ancillotti, Pietro Tonola, Marcella Crudeli and many others.

Roberto Fuccelli held a very successful accordion course and his students excelled in the fourteen concerts that were organized during the event in the main theatres and halls of the area. The performances were appreciated by both critics and the public.

 
Q-Link MIDI for Diatonic Accordions by Musictech
 

Contributed by Christine Adams

This 'Easy to use' new MIDI interface, especially for diatonic accordions, requires no programming and features 'Dynamic Bellows Expression'. The interface uses the now well proven solid state sensors for the contacts, eliminating all the springs and contact bars. According to Musictech, this "offers enormous reliability advantages while having no effect on the natural key sensitivity of the instrument".

This interface can also be used for instruments where the treble is diatonic and the bass is like a normal accordion; another advantageous use of the sensor contacts.

Musictech also announced a newly developed dedicated programmer for installation laboratories, allowing them to customize the note layout for any accordion keyboard or button setup. This enables MIDI kits to be kept in stock and adapted in house to any type of accordion note layout at the time of installation.

 
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Chinese Performers Concert in Town Hall - New Zealand

Contributed by Maurice Jones

The "Talented Young Chinese Performers" annual concert was held at the Auckland Town Hall on 29th August to raise funds for the Auckland Chinese Lifeline.

The performers, aged 8 to 21 years, for the first time included an accordionist, Lian Jones (nee Huang Ling Ling) who performed Weber's "Konzerstuck in F minor" and "The Song of Time" composed by her famous teacher, Professor Li Wei Ming. These were well received by the audience of over 1,000 people.

Lian Jones is from Fujian Province in China, and now lives and teaches In Auckland, New Zealand.

 
New Methodology Book Published - China

Contributed by Li Cong

A new accordion teaching book was published recently in China entitled "Impromptu Accordion Methodology". This is the first methodology book of its kind in China. Author Huang Li Fan is the Vice Dean and Professor of the Qiqihaer Art School and Vice President of the Heilongjiang Accordion Association.

Well known Chinese accordion educator Professor Li Wei Ming wrote the preface for the book, which includes: "Huang Li Fan's "Impromptu Accordion Methodology" has substantial content. The subject is fresh and original, the music sample vivid and the technique very special".

 
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Cotati Accordion Festival - USA

The Ninth Annual Cotati Accordion Festival was held recently at La Plaza Park, Cotati. The successful event featured two stages with continuous music and dancing performances as well as accordion workshops. A wide variety of musicians entertained the enthusiastic audience such as Steve Albini, Baquette Quartette, Henri Duchaarme, Santiago Jimenez Jr., Nada Lewis and Panacea, Polkacide, Danny Poullard and Friends, Spiral bound with Roxanne Marie, Satin 'n Sage, Milen Slavov, Sourdough Slim & Blackie, Those Darn Accordions, Len Wallace and Alex Yaskin.

This year tributes were made to Art Van Damme, who played at the first Cotati Accordion Festival in 1991, and Marian Kelly who has been involved with the festival since its inception.

 
Season 2000 Launch - Australia

Contributed by Elizabeth Jones (Director of Music Education Maroubra School)

At the end of August an ensemble of accordionists from the ASA performed at the "Season 2000" launch of Company B from the Belvoir St Theatre Company to over 300 people.

The orchestra will perform again on September 19th at the "Scalabrini Village Italian Festival" in Sydney. The festival celebrates the patron saint of Scalabrini Village in Italy and the orchestra will play tarantellas, polkas such "Beer-barrel Polka" and some of the younger members will sing and dance Italian favorites.

 
"Scaling the Accordion" Book Release

Contributed by Valarie Morris

A new book "Scaling the Accordion, Book 2" is now available as a follow up to Book 1 published by Sandscape Publications, California. The book aims to continue the student's development of mastering the major scales. A more intricate view of each major scale is followed by two tunes composed for that scale. The tunes are composed for intermediate students.

Joan Cochran Sommers, Professor of Music and Assistant Dean at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music wrote: "Valarie Morris has written some challenging and interesting music for development of both the technical and mental requirements for playing the accordion well."

"Scaling the Accordion, Book 1" covers all major scales for the beginning student. Fingerings are noted to help the student develop good habits. Following each scale is a page of exercises to help reinforce the scale and prepare the student for the tune written in that scale. The tune is composed to let the student immediately put the scale into practical use.

For further information email: valarie@skyblueproductions.com

 
New Sites

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Information on the Jews Brothers Band formed in 1994


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